Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-02-25
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Topic For the week BEGINNING March
I-Comment by Rev. :. II. Doyle.

Topic For the Week beginning March
1-Comment by Rev. 5. H. Doyle.
Topic.-Lessons from the sermon on the
mount: What Christ teaches about bless
edness.-Matt V. 1-l2
Christ's sermon on the mount, which
is to form the subject of our study for
our successive evenings, was delivered,
according to tradition, on the horns of
Hattin, which lies on the south of the
Gaiilean sea, on the way to Nazareth.
After spending the night previous in
prayer Jesus chose the twelve apostles
and then delivered this address. 1t is
'.the Magma Charta of Christ's king
dom, His inaugural address, the sub
FINEST code of morals ever proclaimed
on earth, the perfect law of liberty"
It embraces the fifth. sixth and seventh
chapters of Matthew and treats of
number OF important subjects pertain
ing to Christ's kingdom, which He was
about to set up on earth. We will
study what Christ here teaches a. con-
corning ''blessedness, C2 heart right
eousness," 81 trust and 90 about judg-
ing others. BIessedness is therefore
our present subject.
What, then, does Christ teach about
blessedness?
/. Christ teaches that blessedness is
more than happiness. Happiness may
be obtained from earthly things, but
this part of the sermon on the mount
teaches very clearly that blessedness
comes from God. 1t is repeatedly
emphasized that blessedness is not the
fruit of any earthly relation. but the
result of special relationships TO God,
desires for God and the possession of
God given attributes. Searchers after
blessedness should bear this in mind.
The best happiness in life is not TO be
found apart from God, but only in God.
Thou hast made us for Thyself, and
che heart is restless till it rest in Thee"
2. Christ teaches that blessedness is
the result of character. 1t is not be-
slowed arbitrarily. A reason follows
each beatitude. In one instance it is
poverty of spirit, in another spiritual
mourning and then meekness, hunger
and thirst after righteousness. mercy,
purity, peace and faithfulness amid
persecution. Those who possess these
characteristics cannot but be blessed,
for blessedness is the fruit Of their pos
session. 1t is not simply reward for
such a character, but the direc. fruit
sf 1t. We cannot possess the one with
iDut the other. Given the character, the
hlessedness will necessarily follow. But
our tendency is to follow other beacon
lights in our search for happiness.
/ 8. Christ taught that blessedness en-
titles to membership in the kingdom
IT God. Of the blessed it is said,
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven"
They are members of Gods kingdom
upon earth and will be members of His
kingdom in heaven. The results of
character that produces blessedness
cease not with time, but extend into
eternity. If we are wise, therefore, we
will covet earnestly and seek after the
best gifts-not the temporary, transi-
tory happiness of this life, which per
isheth with the using. but the deep.
abiding happiness that comes from a
life of faith in God through Jesus
Christ and the possession of these
Christlike attributes of character, for
Christ not only taught the beatitudes.
but lived them.
BIBLE READINGS.
5 Gen. Xii, IA; Ps. /, lie; lxv, 4; lxxxiv,
~; cxii, /; Matt. XIV, 31-40; Luke vi,
e0-23; xii, 81; Rom. iv, lilo; JAS /, II.