The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-07-31
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
Topic For the Week beginning Aug.
2-COmmenf by Rev. s. HI. Doyle

Topic For the Week beginning Aug.
2-COmment by Rev. $. HI. Doyle.
Topic--Lessons from Paul: How we
may overcome our hindrances.-II Cor.
xii. ITO; X, 10.
Pauls life is well worth prayerful
and thoughtful study on the part of all
Christians, and especially so to young
Christians, who need the inspiration of
noble lives and the lessons that come
from those who have had a broad and
deep religious experience. Such a man
was the great apostle of the gentiles.
He was great leader, well calculated
to inspire the young with enthusiasm
for noble deeds; but, more than that,
he was a sincere, devout follower of
the Master and had Christian expert
ence that for richness and depth has
scarcely ever been equaIed
Paul particularly was not without
h1ndrances in his life AS a mission
airy his way was beset with trials and
difficulties He was Tin journeyings
often, In perils of waters, in perils of
robbers. in perils by mine own coun-
trymen, in perils by the heather, in
pelils in the wilderness, In perils in the
sea, In perils among false brethren"
Then, too, he had his personal deficien-
cies 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 flesh"
some physical defect which some have
supposed was some kind of weakness
have been serious Affections to 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
share Of difficulties to overcome. We
are not carried to the skies on flowery
beds of ease" MAN is born to trouble
as the sparks fly upward" Nor is the
Christian exempt. Christ definitely de-
clared, IF any man will come after
Me, let him deny himself and take up
his cross and follow Me-" Since him
ORANGES and Affections beset our way
in 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 1t might depart from me-" First
of all Paul brought his affiiction 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, 81 take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, In necessities, in persecu-
tons, in distresses, for Christs 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 'is 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. 1-S;
cxxi, 1-S; Matt. XII. 2S-80; Luke xii,
22-32; II Cor. XII. 24-33; Phil. iv, At;
Eph. vi, 1918; II Tim. Ii, ITO; Pet.
W..