Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-07-13
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer SeafIR= gaaic Fov the week
BEGINNING JuIy II.

beEtuntnE July II.
Topie.--The worlds gain through uni
SeTsai peaoe.--Ps N.vi, s-ls; Isa. u -
Universal. worldwide pcace would be
the greatest blessing n t ever came
upon the human race Yet how Inn
probable 1t seems. The elements of
nature arc at war In the heart and
life of the Same person there is con
slant conflict, among the nations and
races of the world strife and eonten-
ton are ever present. Wars and ru-
mors of wars" are ever with us; the
sword is scarcely ever sheathed. and
the soldier has little else than dreams
of rest Nor among the people of God.
over whom the Prince of Peace rules,
b there unity Of faith ard love. In
stead of being one in Christ. they are
divided and subdivided time and time
again. But let US also remember that
war has not always been an unmitl
gated evil nor has peace always been
necessarily great blessing. The law
Of life, in our universe at least. Is de
velopment through struggle Conflict
develops character. and often Is neces-
sary to bring out the best that is in
nation er in man. Yet the goal Of life
h peace and not warfare, time when
we shall no longer need struggle to de-
velop or perfect our lives, but when.
having reached point of superior ex-
eellence, the pursuits Of peace shall
appeal to us more strongly than the
battle din OF war.
1t is well to remember also that war
and its issues are in the hands Of IN
infinite and all wise God. HE maketh
wars to cease unto the ends of the
sarth; He breaketh the bow and cutteth
the spear in suHder; He hurneth the
chariot In the fire" When win He
DO this for the whole world? Men DIFF.
Ter as to whether it will be before the
coming of Christ or after His coming.
But God knows. God has promised and
He will bring it TO pass in His own
time, and In His own way, aud when
Il comes it will rebound to His honor
md glory. RE still and know that l
I'm God. will be exalted among the
heather, Will be exalted In the earth"
In his prophecy of universal peace
Isaiah comprehensively sets forth the
wain to the world through such peace.
HE God shall judge among the IA
lions and shall rebuke many people"
This Is the preliminary step. God shall
take charge of the nations. The pur-
poses of war having ceased He shall |
control all the nations for peace. with
the result that they shall beat their |
swords into plowshares and their I,
spears into pruning hooks (scythesl; M. !
zion shall not lift up sword against ma
ton, neither shall they learn war any |
more" What a tremendous gain & - !
manity If this condition should be |
brought about. God should occupy His
proper place among all men and ma
tons War should give place to the |
arts and sciences The immense sums |
of money now spent for standing
armies and navies in peace and in war
could be invested in the pursuits of /
peace and in the betterment and uplift- !
ing Of humanity, Why, even the in |
strunents of war could be turned mo |
tools of usefulness. The swords that de |
stroyed human life in war could be beat
en- into plowshares TO cut up the earth |
for the support of human life, and the .
Spears which in war cut down men
could be turned into scythes that they !
might cut down grain for mans preser-
walton. Let us work and pray for the
fastening of the time when these
prophecies shall be fulfilled and there
shall be brought about through Christ.
the Prince of Peace, the realization of
the angels song at His birth. GLORY
b. God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will toward men"
BIBLE READINGS.
Nun. vi, 22-20. lisa tx. 8, Z; Jer. xxi,
20; lisa. XVI, 1-3; Ps. xxx, Ill: Nah.
l. LIS; Luke II, Il; John xiv, 2T.
ae
- 0hio'z President.
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