Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-09
sacrifices to the idol, but the goal seems

sacrifices to the idol. but the goal seems
almost gained. Eat drink and be merry!
The sacrifices seem worth while. FOR
riches are pouring in. But. bark! Death
standeth at the door. Thou fool! This
was the night set long ago before you were
born into the world when your soul should
be required of you. OF what good are the
big barns. the pleasant house full of guests
and the fat bank account? OF what good
is it that you have gained the right to be
numbered with the four hundred or have
your name at the head of all the charity
lists. and are president of all the boards,
and ride in the handsomest automobile in
the city. and own the finest diamonds
when you stand at heavens gate?
But it is not much the god of covet-
BUSINESS that gets the worship of the young
hearts this god of desire. The people
who make their own appetites and desires
their god legion.
Strange that heirs of Cod understanding
fully what is our so great inheritance
should so easily put it aside for some mere
ephemeral pleasure. Yet how many young
people hesitate to give themselves to
Christ because they feel that some worldly
amusement inconsistent with the Chris
tian life is too fascinating to give up.
Strange that a young man. brought up TO
know the subtlety of intoxicating nQuOr,
will deliberately sacrifice clean, promls-
ing life to the madness of strong drink, Tor
the pleasure of the sensation, the taste or
the oblivion it brings his senses for a lit
tie. Strange that any mere feeling wnlch
cannot last has power to force soul TO
give up his hope OF eternity. 1e' II 10
often So
And how are our modern idols to be over
thrown? If they were of stone we couid
break them; of metal, we could melt them'
Of wood. We might burn them but 'he a,.
intangible spiritual idols of ours. now
overthrow them? Surely, the only way -
to take them to our God. who is the l-oru
Of Lords, the God of Gods. He oniy can
make them pOwerleSS to harm us. just as
the heather when converted brings his ldoi
to the missionary as a sign that ne mas
surrendered to Christ and the power OF ms
heather god is gone, so must we nrlng our
idols today to Jesus. Each of us knows IN
his heart what is his own particular ldol.
Be it riches or pleasure, Or appetite; or
just pure selfshness. bring 1t to Him.
Break the idols at His feet.
Applied Truth.
"There were those among the heather
that worshiped the emerald as the true
deity The sick made pilgrimages to wor-
ship it. and there offered their gifts. Inc
descendants of the treasure worshipers
have spread over the whole earth. rooster.
"'The Spirit of God in the depth of your
heart is antagonizng the self-Hfe. ne
Goes it by making Jesus CHRIST hNlhS'
bright reality. He fixes your thoush's
ur,on Jesus You do rot think about the
Spirit, you hardly think about self out
YOU think much about your dear Lord; ana
al the time tnat you
Him the process of disntegraton and dis
solution and death of self Is gong ON III
YOUR heart IF. b Meyer.
1t is said that when Dore had nearly I'M
ished his great picture, Christ Leaving the
Praetorium," upon which he had worked
for two or three years. that he called III
Canon Hartford to inspect the picture ana
give his opinion. His criticism was: Inc
sky should be overcast The awful mora morn,
49, ,,JI ,,nt no
ertire picture should be darkened so that
the eye would naturally seek the Inquire OIL
Christ ,
after considering for a day Dore invited
his critic back to the studio. and mounting
A ladder proceeded with broad strokes OF
his brush to cover the upper part o. A.s
picture with a deep neutral TINT. Ana do
the brush swept back and forth the 1Sure
of the Christ stood out in commanding
majesty through the surrounding gloom.
The artist saw that his friend had spoken
truly 40
Christ life must be willing to put INTO the
ba ckgrcund all other things put thrlS,
Thou shalt have no other gods before me-
How to Help the Leader.
Tell something you know about heather
idol worship and compare it to people
who let material things keep them from
God.
Parallel passages Timothy 6:17;
jeremiah 5o:3S: Hosea All; 1 Thessa-
lonians 10; Galatians 4:S.9; John 5:21;
1 Corinthians 10:14; Colossians b.
Hints to the leader.-Christian En-
deavor Hymns 7, 13 100 121. 207.
The Endeavor Hymnal "a, 80, "a. A. 81,
174.
Spend little time in study Of idol wor-
ship You will find a comparison or civil
lization's idols with those of unciVlllzed
lands profitable. Ask members to name
some of the most subtle of modern idols
and say few words as to how they may
be overcome. Read Andrew Murrays Alb
solute Surrender" and F. b. Meyers
Natural Man." found in the book entitled
"a Castaway," in preparation for your
closing words about absolutely breaking
down all idols that self has set up in the
place of God. Ask that the sentence
prayers be of conservation, and for
strength to overthrow idols. and that
each member during silent prayer bring
his own particular idol to Gods feet and
leave 1t there.
And still from Him turn away
And fill hearts with worthless things.
The fires Of avar!ce melt the clay
And forth the idol springs.
Ambitions flame aud passions heat
By WOndrous alchemy tranSmute