Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-01-14
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
ropic For the Week Beginning Ja


Topic For the Week Beginning JAN.
1s-Comment by Rev. S. ii. Doyle
Topic. In training for
shurch WORKPLACES II. II. IS; Prov. IL. Is;
Mark l. 1920
"For Christ and the church" is the
motto of the Christian Endeavor So
eiety. Its purpose has ever been not
simply to lead the young to Christ, but
20 train them for service in His church.
christian Endeavor has ever claimed
10 be a means and not an end, and per-
Aaps II more practical emphasis had
been placed upon this fact Christian
Endeavor would be stronger today in
IT'S old centers than 1t In. In many
eases, instead of graduating its mem
bers into church work and taking up
q new band to train. the aerly mem
oers have continued 10 do the work
and hold the o,ices, with the result
chat as the, ,iid for one reason or an
ether dire. ont no one remained to take
M their lakr One may always re-
main an EIueavcrer at heart, but not
always in activity in the society If 1t is
20 be a young peoples society and to
develop the young for the church.
The. training Of the young for the
important work and responsible posi-.
lions In the church of Christ on earth
Ma most praiseworthy mission.
i. 1t is possible. The essential ele-
pent In the performance of Christian
work is the possession of the Holy
Spirit. Spiritual work must be under
the direction of the Holy Spirit. The
possession of the spirit for service is
possible to the young. And it shall
come to pass in the last days, saith
God, | will pour out of My Spirit upon
all flesh, and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your
young men shall see visions First
on the list of those to receive the Holy
Ghost were the young-the young men
and also the young women. 1t is
therefore possible for them to engage
In real spiritual work and by constant
practice to be developed into more pro
ncient workmen for God.
2. 1t is Scriptural. God trained men
in their youth for great missions in aft
er years. He trained Joseph and Moses
IN Egypt, Samuel in the temple and 10
siah in the royal palace. Christ also
called men into training school for
future service. For three years He
trained the apostles for the great mis-
Gon of preaching the gospel to the
whole world. Paul selected young
men-Mark, Timothy and Titus-and
developed them into workmen that
needed not to be ashamed. And not
only do the clergy need to be trained
for their work. but also the laity. We
Hive in a day of consecrated lay work
ers, and that their labors may be blessed
to success these workmen need to be
trained while young for their service.
8. 1t is practicable. Youth is the
training time. The mind is plastic and
may be nodded. Methods of work have
not become fixed habits and may be
changed and directed. Proficiency in
any vocation in life can only be at
tanned by careful training in youth.
Any instance to the contrary is the ex-
ception and not the rule. How impor
tant. then, that in the days of ones
youth we should not only be taught to
remember God and to consecrate our
lives to Him, but also trained for His
service! The youth of today must be
the men and the women of tomorrow.
and if enabled to do the work of men
and women they must be trained for
It. The Christian Endeavor society can
perform grand mission in training
Endeavorers for future church work.
This is its supreme purpose, and every
effort should be made to effect this pur-
pose.
BIBLE READINGS.
Sam. iii, 1921; Prov xxi. 6; Eccl.
XII. 1; Luke ii. 1852; Acts xii, II, %;
Rom. xii, 1. 2; Cor. XIV, So; Gal. vi,
1-10; III Tim. ii. 1926; John ii, IA.