Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-03-16
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.



Topic-Little things that Christ makes
great-I Cor. /. 25--9
On one occasion t,l.cin@ TIE Centennial
exposition of 1876 III Philadelphia sud
denly the machinery of the g-eat eXEi-
bition stopped The wonderful Corl,ss
engine that furnished the power for all
the various departments was exam
fned, and ii was found that one of Its
smallest parts was disarranged, and
yet it brought everything in the expo
sition TO eo4aplete stanGstill, Thus
we are taught that the day of small
things is not 10 BE- despised. In nature
and in human history God constantly
emphasizes the fact that little things
can become great and are Of great i'm
portance. An acorn becomes a giant
oak. The constant falling water wears
away the stone and makes the mighty
Niagara falls. The falling Of an apple
led 70 tie discovery of the law of
grayitation, the spiders web across q
pathway suggested the suspension
bridge, and the escaping steam from q
boiling kettle furnished the idea of the
application of steam as power in the
industrial world. What wonderful re-
suits from such feeble beginnings. Yet
the hand of God was in it, and from ii
all we can learn that God can make lit
tie things great.
The history of the Christian church
proves the ability Of God in Christ to
make greatness from httleness. Gideon
Of the Midianites. David with a sling
and pebble conquered the Philistian
giant and led TO Israel's great vic
tory over the ancient enemy. In the
early history Of tile Christian church
the same fact is richly illustrated. Not
many men wise in human wisdom, not
many men occupying exalted positions,
not many men of distinguished family
history were called to establish Christ's
kingdom. Instead, Christ called hum
BILE, unknown, unread fishermen and
tradesmen that the world might know
that Christianity was divinely and not
humanity established-"that no flesh
should glory in His presence"
The church and Christian people Of
ten need to recall the fact that God and
Christ can make small things great.
Cicero says that the Corinthians were
famous not only for their luxurious
mass, but also for their wealth and
phi1osophie culture" The Corinthians
therefore needed this lesson. They
may have been inclined to trust too
mnch in the wisdom, luxury, wealth
and culture of men rather than In
Christ, and hence Paul tells them that
these things are nothing TO God and
that His method is to use foolishness
rather than wisdom. men of low degree
rather than men of high degree. the
base things, the despised things, of the
world, and yet out of them TO make
great men and great things, because
He is God. The Christian church today
tends to pander TO worldly wisdom.
wealth and culture The wise are hon
ored overmuch. The rich too often
lord it over the church simply because
Of their riches, and culture is given
larger place in the church than sim
pie and humble piety. Individual Chris
tians also need to be reminded of this
lesson. There are many unused talents
in our churches because they are not
great talents many little deeds undone
because they are not great deeds. many
helpful words unspoken because they
cannot be eloquently spoken. Christ
can make little things great--the little
word, the little deed, the little talent.
Therefore conseerate IL 10 Him and LET
Him use it for His glory. and not only
viii 1t rebound to His honor and glory.
but also to your own good. for not even
cup of cold water given in His name
is without its reward Therefore de
spise not the day of small things, for
Christ can make the little things great.
BIBLE READINGS.
lisa. xviii, 9-13; Ps. xix. II: Zech iv.
ia; Matt. X. -; xii. SO; XIV. 1880;
XVI, 6-13; Mark iv. 1892; xii, Ala;
John vi. 1-13; Jas. iii, 1-6