The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-01-30
CHRISTIAN ENDE4VoR.
Topic For the Week Beginning Feb
l-COmment by Rev. s. HI. DOYLE

Topic For the Week Beginning Feb
1-Comment by Rev. s. HI. Doyle.
Topic.-Decide today.--Heb. iii, 7-lS
! christian Endeavor day.
The book Of Hebrews sets forth the
superiority of Christ ~ over angels
(2J Moses, (3) the Aaronic priesthood
The purpose of this comparison is to
inspire the faithfulness of the Jewish
Christians, who were strongly tempted
to give up their faith. In this third
chapter Christ's superiority to Moses Is
set forth. 1t is also shown that those
who disbelieved God under the direc.
ton of Moses were punished. How
much more certain this would be the
case when God was revealed In Christ,
| greater than Moses! Therefore the
force Of the exhortation, To-day, If We
will hear His voice, harden not your
hearts,"
The topic speaks of call to decision
and we may inquire: What are we to
decide? Who calls us to decision
When should we decide?
l. What are we to decide? Prac-
tically our relation to God. This is the
position urged upon the Jews who had
become Christians. In the midst of
trial and tribulation they were in dan
ger of unbelief and of departing from
the living God. This they are called
upon not to do and are urged to de-
eide in the favor of faith and of God
by the sad fate of their ancestors, who
| decided the other way. God called tc
the ancient Jews, but they hardened
their hearts in unbelief and decided
against God. Therefore they never en-.
tered Canaan. Their fate should be q
warning to us. If not Christians, we
should decide for Christ, and If Chris.
tians under temptation to give up our
faith or our faithfulness we should
decide for God. The unbelieving and
unfaithful can never enter into Gods
heavenly Canaan.
2. Who calls upon us to decide? The
Holy Ghost. "Wherefore. as the Holy
Ghost saith, Today, If We will hear
Ny voice." The Office work Of the Holy
Ghost is to call sinners to repentance
and to build them up in faith and com.
fort. To this end He calls us by His
personal influence through His word
the church and the people Of God. The
call that comes to us is no human call
but a divine call. God, through His
Spirit, calls us to repentance, to faith
and to faithfulness. The personality OF
Him who calls should dispose us tc
speedy acceptance. An invitation from
the president of the United States IA
equivalent to a command. Much more
should call from God be looked upor
in the same light. We should feel that
we dare not disobey. "God calls;
must obey" should be our attitude.
3. When should we decide? Today
To-day, If We hear His voice, harder
not your heart" Today is the only
day we have. No living being is sure
Of tomorrow. This spirit strives today
but my Spirit shall not always strive
with men," saith the Lord. Procrasti
nation is most dangerous, for we have
no guarantee for the future and nc
promise that God will still call us ever
IL we live into the future. Today il
our only opportunity. Now is the &C
cepted time; now is the day of saliva
ton! Tomorrow may be too late;
therefore decide today.
BIBLE READINGS.
Elk. xxi, 26; Mum. xiv, 21-24; Josh
xiv, 1918; Kings xviii, %; Ruth /
16, II; Prov. iv, 25-27; Mark ii, IA; Acts
xxi, 8-14; Rev. ii, 10.