Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-06-08

Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning June L..

Frnyer meettnS toptc FOR tHS "eSLs
Beginning June L..
Topic.-what must | do TO become a
Christian - Matt. ~ f4-e5; John xiii,
ts-s5.
The question of the topic is the most
important and practical one that can
be addressed to Christian. and vet
n is no easy question to answer in the
abstract 1t is the office work of Gods
Spirit to make us Christians. and the
Spirit works wien AMI where and
how He pfeases." In no two cases
does He work exactly alike. The over
booking of this fact has been a
stumbling block n the way of many
people. They have heard of the ex-
perience eff some one else in becoming
q Christian and have concluded that
their experience must be exactly sim
liar, and if not they seriously doubt
their conversion But this is folly.
Take any two Biblical eases and how
they differ. To Matthew Jesus said.
~Follow Me" and be arose and fol-
lowed Him, and thus became devout
and faithful Christian. But how vast
y different the experience Of Paul,
who was stricken down by heavenly
vision and thus found Christ.
That there are different ways of be-
coming Christians is proved also by
the teaching of the Scriptures. Jesus
said, IF any man will come after Me.
let him deny himself and take up his
cross and follow Me" Paul said. Be
heve ON the Lord Jesus Christ and
thou shalt be saved" and again he said.
'If thou wilt esafess with thy mouth
the Lord Jesus. and shalt believe in
thine heart that God raised Him from
the dead, thou shalt be saved" Con,
fession is here added to faith Tie
TACT, therefore is that this question
cannot be definitely answered in the
abstract. There is but one Christ, yo-
various ways to find Him. and hence
various definitions of how TO do it.
But if we find Jim. no matter what tie
way, then We are Christians and will
express It not only by our love for Him.
but also by our love for each other
~By this shall all men know that We are
Ny disciples, if We have love one to an
ether"
- But while all that has been said Is
perfectly true, yet there are certain
processes through which tile soul must
pass in conversion that are well known
and understood The difficulty is 10 ar
range them in any consecutive order
In some cases conversion is instanta-
neous. The Holy Spirit applies the ben
efts of Christ's redemption TO the soul
In an instant. and no orderly arrange
ment of the souls experiences can be
made But if they could be they would
be something like this-(1) conviction Of
sin; ca repentance of sin; CD faith. or
the apprehension of the mercy of God
I'm Christ Jesus; a. confession and con
secration of ourselves 10 God in Christ
To become a Christian, if am not one.
I must be convicted of my sinfulness.
and hence of my need of Saviour
l must be willing to give up my sins
and to accept by faith the atonement
that Christ has made for my sins. and
then, confeSsing this repentance and
faith, to consecrate my life to God in
Christ.
This is the theory of becoming
Christian and perhaps as near TO it as
we can come, but if you are not
Christian and feel your need of be-
coming one go to the Master in prayer
asking Him that He will by the power
Of His Holy Spirit make you a disciple
Of His, make you willing and able TO
''deny yourself and take up your cross
that you may follow Him
BIBLE READINGS.
lisa. i. 1920; ". 6. Z; Zech. tx. 10;
Matt. II, 1-l2; Mark ii. IA; Luke XIV,
1-10; John Iii. 1-1G; Acts viii, 26-i0; tx.
10; Rom. Y. 9-15; Rev, xxi, II.