Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-01-20
CHRISTIAN ENpEAyoR.

Ror,c FOR the Week Beginning Jan.
24-ce mment by Res, S. II. Doyle.
ropic.-what If Christ came TO our
townf--John iv. $3.50, 59-42
There is very little in the life OF the
Lord Jesus Christ to suggest the idea
that the servants of Ged should be-
come hermits, hidden from the world.
Christ moved among men. Forty days
were spent in the wilderness that Satan
might be met and overcome, but be-
rond that Christ spent little TINS from
the people except as occasional night
In communion and prayer TO God. He
went about through all the towns OF
yudsea and Galilee, even into Samaria
and as far as Tyre and Sidon. His
ministry was an active, busy minis
try. His time was not spent in reli-
Eious seclusion, but He constantly went
about doing good. In this respect the
disciple of Christ should initiate his
Lord. We can bring Christ TO our
town if In the spirit of Christ we go
about among the people doing as He
did.
lie lily 1QlAANNiNSil NaAeS VI N|HAA 80 49,
ing to congress, to church or to town
Is rather an unsatisfactory one. What
Christ would 90 if Ee came to our
town no one knows. When He visited
the towns of Palestine He usually did
the thing that was least expected of
Him. AS a boy He visited Jerusalem.
Who would have thought of His re-
manning TO discuss profound questions
with the doctors of law? He visited
Jerusalem at the first Passover of His
public ministry, but no one would have
thought that He would have scourged
the temple of those who defiled it. He
visited Cana OF Galilee, but would any
one have dreamed of His changing wa
ter into wine at a wedding feast? What
Jesus would do under given circum-
stances no one can prophesy with any
degree of success, and it is little short
Of folly and presumption even to make
the attempt. But we do know from
sacred history what Christ did at Sy-
char, in Samaria, and this may be help
ful and suggestive.
l. Christ at Sychar sacrificed Him
self for others. He came TO Jacobs
well near evening, wearied with His
Journey, thirsty and hungry. The dis
ciples left Him that they might pro-
cure food, and in their absence the
woman of Samaria appeared. Imme-
diately Jesus forgot His own needs and
thought only of the spiritual needs of
the sinful woman before Him. He at
once sacrificed His wants TO her wants.
This was always characteristic of the
Master. He "came not to be minister
ed unto, but to minister and to give His
life ransom for many" Today He
would do the same and is doing it
through those who are His disciples
in all our towns.
2. Christ at Sychar put aside national
and ecclesiastical prejudices to save a
soul. The Jews and the Samaritans
had no dealings with each other. Ma
tionally and enthusiastically there was
enmity between them. But did Christ
allow this to stand between Him and
an opportunity to give the living water
10 one needing it? No. In the face OF
all national and ecclesiastical prejudice
He sat down on the curb of Jacobs
well and preached the gospel to a poor
sinful Samaritan woman. No doubt He
would do the same today, and as His
disciples we should do it for Him. No
class or race prejudice should interfere
with our giving the gospel to all men.
for all need it,
3. Christ at Sychar emphasized the
value of the spiritual above the mate
rial. He soon turned from the water in
Jacobs well TO Himself, the living
water. Nor was He unsuccessful. The
woman believed and many of the peo-
pie Of Sychar. Representing Christ in
our own town, we should lay special
stress upon spiritual things. The soul
is far superior in value to the body and
should receive the greater care by all
men.
BIBLE READINGS.
Matt xviii, LA; Mark ii, 1-12; vi,
1-6; II, Ill; Luke ii, 1852; viii, /; XIV,
lilo; John ii, Ill; xiv, 1-12; XIV, 1-16.