Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-03-05
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.



Topic For the Week Beginning March
o-CoHsment by Rev. 5. n. Doyle
TonIc.-The secret of endurance.-Heb.
ri, 2t-27; Elk. xxxiii, 3D.
The Importance Of endurance in the
Christian I.ie cannot be overestimated.
A good start Is an essential element In
success. but no matter how good the
start, If we do not continue, if we do
not endure, success is impossible. The
Galatians began wen, but they did not
continue SO, and hence Paul needed 70
warn them against the har 1ful conse-
quences OF becoming weary in wen do
ing. In the parable Of the sower the
seed that fell upon stony ground
sprang up quickly, but it had no power
Of endurance; it soon withered away
and consequently produced no fruit.
The need Of powers of endurance is
also very great. The Christian life is
not a howery bed of ease. Tempta-
tons, discouragements, hardships, be-
set us upon every side. Our life is
constant warfare; hence we must be
able to endure hardness as good sol
dlers Of Jesus Christ" 1t is race,
and an essential element of victory in
a race is the power to endure.
The importance and need Of endur-
ance being so manifest. we may well
study the secret OF endurance. The
topical references suggest sev2al ele-
ments necessary to endurance in the
Christian life and work.
l. Faith Is n secret of endurance.
This is illustrated in the life of Moses
Moses persevered in his religion at
great cost and sacrifice, and faith was
one of the secrets of his endurance.
''By faith Moses when he came TO
years refused to be called the son Of
Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather 10
suffer affiction with the people Of God
than to enjoy the pleasures Of sin for
a season." Faith was a principal fac
tor in the choice of Moses. Faith leads
to endurance. The man who believes
firmly in God. in the future life, in the
power of Christ TO save. in the profit
ableness of a Christian life, will perse-
we're and endure even in the face Of
sacrifice or hardship.
2 Consideration of the future Is Sc
cret of endurance. This was another
factor in the endurance of Moses. He
considered the future consequences OF
his actions. Had he looked simply at
the present, as so many do, he would
have chosen to continue as the son OF
Pharaoh's daughter rather than the
son of God. But in the light of the
future such a choice would have been
suicidal Having respect unto the
recompense of the reward he "es-
teemed reproach for Christ greater
riches than the treasures of Egypt"
So viii any one decide who looks faith
fully to the future consequences Of his
actions The wages of sin is death.
The wages of enduring service for God
is eternal life. These facts should be
an inspiration to endurance.
3. Gods presence is secret Of en-
durance. God promised to be with
Moses in his great undertaking of lead
ing Israel to Palestine. Surely my
presence shall be with thee" God will
also be with us. What we cannot en-
dure He will endure for US or give us
the power to endure. Therefore we
should be "steadfast, immoyable. al
ways Astounding in the work of the
Lord"
BIBLE READINGS.
Josh. /, IL; Matt. XIV, 31-46; xviii,
10, 20; Cor. XIV, So; Gal Y. /; vi, Ito;
II Tim. ii, Is; Heb. XII, 32-40; xii. l, 2;
Rev. ii, 10.