Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-04-22
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
Topic For the Week Beginning Aprn
23-Comment by Rev. =. IL. Doyle.


Job xxxviii, O. %. %, 80.
The arctic circle is a circle drawn
around the earth at distance of 231a
Negroes from the north pole. Within
this circle there is a period of the year
lsummerg when the sun never sets and
another period (winter) when the sun
docs not appear above the horizon.
This is called the Land Of the Midnight
Sun. Christ the Sun of Righteousness.
appeared in Bethlehem at midnight.
This country lying within the friGid
zone is for season each year the
brightest spot of earth, not by reason
OF what 1t is. but by its relations to the
sun. This suggests one of the most i'm
portant truths of the Bible-that 1t Is
mot so much what a man is In himself,
but the relation he bears to Christ, the
Sun of Righteousness. The gospel can
flourish at the sweltering equator or
abe icy pole as well as in the temperate
zones.
The following countries are within
the arctic circle: Alaska and Green
aand, while Iceland, Scandinavia. ST.
IBERIA and British America border upon
It.
Alaska was purchased by the United
States from Russia in 1861. 1t is the
most agreeably disappointing territory
the United States has ever acquired.
The native population in 1900 was 90
b3c. Its principal industries are the
fur trade, mining. curing and canning
fish and seal catching. The United
States government receives in revenue
from sealing annually $317 600 and has
already received from that source more
than it paid for the country. Along
the southern coast the climate is mild.
The natives were ignorant and heath
en-. The Greek church was early in
PRODUCED by Russia. That government
pays $4,000 annually to support a
church with $4,000 members and sew
enteen parochial schools. The Roman
Catholics and the Church of England
are doing small work there.
The Presbyterian church began its
work In 1877, with Rev. Sheldon Jack
son, D. D., in charge. 1t now has
twelve stations, or centers of activity;
twelve missionaries, thirteen teachers,
eight native interpreters and a hospital
at Sitka. Its mission at Point Bar
row is farthest north. Industrial schools
at Wrangel and Sitka are maintained
by the Presbyterian board, and another
one at Douglas island is under the care
Of the Friends.
The public schools have been in op-
Grafton since 1886, and the government
demands compulsory education between
the years of six and fourteen.
Greenland.-This country belongs to
Denmark. While of great extent, it is
90 cold that it has but 10000 inhabit-
ants, all Eskimos, except 200 Danes liv-
ing on the coasts. The Danish Luther
an church embraces all the people and
Is supported by the Danish govern
ment, the Moravian church recently
turning its missions over to the Danes.
Iceland is also a Danish province,
with a population of 69.224, of Scandi'
navian origin, usually small in stature
distinguished for honesty, purity OF
morals and love for education. Their
and sheep. Their language is the old
Norwegian. The Danish Lutheran
church operates in this field.
British America is without popula
tion within the arctic circle unless il
should be few wandering Eskimos.
Siberia, part of the Russian empire
r. taken care of by the Greek church.
Scandinavia is not mission field
The Lutheran church is the state church
In both Norway and Sweden. The Bap
lists and Methodists embrace most OF
the dissenters.
BIBLE READINGS.
Ps. cxxxv, z; Luke xiv, Al, 40; Ps
xii, q, IS; Ps. xcviii, 3; Acts i, s; lisa
Wv %: lisa lii 10: Zech tx 10: PS