The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-03-06
EPWoRTH LEAGUE.
Topic For the Week Beginning April
IL, "The Danger of Idlenesss"
Text, Prov. xiv, 80, 81.
Rom. xii, IL.

"Why stand We here all the day idleT
The first thought would be that we
Of this age and nation are not open to
the charge of idleness. We are usually
represented as intensely active. We
believe ourselves to be busy and fully
occupied We seem to be ever on the
rush. How, then, can there be any
danger to us from idleness? Ought
we not rather to be exhorted to slow
down and take matters more quietly
and cultivate little more the habit
of leisure, if not of idleness?
Closer attention may show us that
while we are unduly active in some
things we may be entirely idle and neg
ligent in others. While cultivating one
field others have been neglected.
There is the matter of church attend
ance. A person may work so hard all
the week that when Sunday comes it
seems almost a physical necessity to
rest, so as to get ready for another
week of labor. 1t Is such hard work
to get up in time for morning service.
Then if one does go all tired out the
service does not seem to do much good.
The sermon Is dull, the singing does
not interest, the mind is on business,
and perhaps 1t is better to stay at home
and rest. That is the excuse made by
many. Whatever the cause, the fact
remains that there is idleness in the
work that the soul needs. However
pressing the daily work may be, the
soul cultivation is far more needful,
and the public worship ought not to be
unused.
The same is true in regard to the
steady study of the Bible. Compare
lively few of our young people have
acquired the habit of regular Bible
,eading for devotional purposes. If they
are in the Sunday school, they may
or may not give some attention to the
study of the lesson. outside of this
the Bible is not consulted from one
weeks beginning to another by very
many who are Christians and mem
bers of the Epworth League. Such
ldleness bears fruit in ignorance. If
there is lack of study, there must be
lack of knowledge of Gods mind and
will and all that belongs to Christian
living. This in turn affects the whole
life, until it becomes difficult to see
how such Christians differ from the
people of the world.
Diligence is the opposite Of idleness.
1t Is essential for success in every line
Of human effort No one can grow in
the graces and gifts of the Christian
life without constant communion with
God. The prayerful spirit must be
cultivated. The habit of prayer in Sc
cret must be acquired. This never can
come by idleness and neglect
Christian testimony is born from ex-
perience. However diffident one may
be by nature, persistent effort will
give some facility in the expression of
thought, and constant thinking and
practice in speaking, as there is oppor-
tunity in private and in meetings, will
give any one some proficiency in Chris
tan testimony and exhortation.
1t is quite possible that person
may live a consistent Christian life and
finally be saved who has never spoken
in meeting and has done some things
which the Methodist church discoun-
tenances. But beyond all question the
safest course for all young Christians
who wish to grow in grace and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ" is to 'give all diligence
to make their calling and election
sure"
Read the things which aid to the
knowledge and love of God more than
any other literature.
Attend the services of the church
and allow no other thing to interfere
with this.
Persistently practice the expression
of Christian experience and hope in the
meetings for that purpose.
Be not idle, but watchful for open
ings to help some one in whatever
way is possible.
Cultivate habits of regular and sys-
tematic and proportionate giving of
your income.
Be not idle, but diligent in all good
ness.