Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-07-29
aRIsrlAN rNDEAvoR.
Topfc For the week Beginning Aug.
2-Commeat by Rev. 5. III. Doyle.

ropic For the week Beginning Aug.
2-Commeat by Rev. 5. II. Doyle.
Topic.-Lessons from Paul: How we
may overcome our hiHldrances--I Cor.
xii TIE. K. 10
Paul's life is wen worth prayerful
and thoughffu study on the part Of all
Christians. and especially so to young
Carisdans. who need the inspiration of
noble lives and the lessons that come
from tIlose who have had broad and
deep religious experience. Such 3 man
was the great apostle Of the gentiles.
he was a great leader, well calculated
to inspire tire young with enthusiasm
for noble deeds; but. more than that.
be was sincere. devout follower OF
the Master ana had Christian expert
ence that FOR richness and depth has
scarcely been equaled.
Paul particularly was not without
hindranees IN his life. As mission
sry his wav was beset with trials and
difficulties. He was in joaraeyines
often. in perils Of waters. in periis Of
robbers. in periIs by mine own coun-
frymen. in perils by the heather, IN
perils in the wilderness, in perils in the
sea, in perils among false brethren"
Then. too. he had his personal defcien-
c,es and Affections He himself tells
Us that it was said of him that his
bodily presence is weak and his
speech contemplate" He had, too.
what he called "a thorn in the hesh.'
some physical defect which some have
supposed was some kind of weakness
of the eyes. These deficiencies must
have been serious Affections 10 the
great apostle, who must have desired
to possess all advantages, physical,
mental and moral, that he might the
more powerfully preach the gospel Of
Christ.
In these hindrances and Affections
the great apostle was not unlike all
disciples of Christ. All have their
share of difficulties to overcome. We
are not carried TO the skies on fiowery
beds of ease" Man is born to trouble
as the sparks fly upward Nor is the
Christian exempt. Christ definitely de-
ciared, IF any man viii come after
Me, let him deny himself and take up
his cross and follow Me" Since him
ORANGES and Affections beset our way
sn the Christian life. how are we to
overcome them? That they must be
overcome goes without saying. 1t is
to those that overcome that Christ Of
fers the crown of eternal life.
Paul teaches US that prayer and faith
are the means of overcoming our him
ORANGES and Affections. There was
given to me thorn in the flesh, the
messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest
should be exalted above measure. For
this thing l besought the Lord thrice
that it might depart from me-" First
of all Paul brought his affliction unto
God in prayer. and God answered his
prayer, although not in the way he de-
sired. And He said unto me, My
grace is sufficient for thee" Paul be-
lieved that and became resigned to the
will OF God and was so gloriously sus-
tanned by Gods grace that he could
say. Il take pleasure in infirmities, in
reprcaches, in necessities, in persecu-
tions in distresses. for Chrtst's sake,
for when | am weak then am | strong.
Realizing his own weakness, he trust
ed In God. and God became strength to
him, and he thereby overcame- And
God sis our refuge and strength,
present help in time of trouble There
fore in prayer and in faith we should
come to Him, and His grace will be
sufficient for us. and by His strength
we will be enabled to overcome.
BIBLE READINGS.
II Kings xix, 1920, 81; Ps. XVI. Is;
cxxi, Is; Matt. xi. 2S-30; Luke xii
22-32; II Cor. X. 24-33; Phil iv, Al;
Eph. vi, 1918; III Tim. Ii. ITO; / Pet.
VT.