Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-07-06

the sun the images that
were made by L.. ,dolaters themselves
But, while technically an idol is a Wis
ible object worshiped in place Of God.
Jet practically anything that takes the
place of God in our hearts and lives
is an idol. 1t is true that the modern
objects of idolatry are less gross thsn
the ancient. but are none the less idols.
Whatever OF wealth or honor or pleas
ure is loved and sought before God ana
Righteousness becomes an object Of
idolatry" Thsugh modern idols are
Invisible. they are none the less idols,
and those who worship them are none
the less idolsters.
Some modern idols are suggested in
the topical references for our special
study. % Wealth. The expression
money is king" is a common enc to-
day, and it ss-es have a wide sUpTem
acy. But money Is not only king, but
an Idol. 1t occupies the supreme flacs
In many lives God has been set aside
and in His place the golden calf has
been set up. and it Is doubtful il gold
ever had SO many devotees as today
The man who asked Christ 10 compel
his brother to divide the inheritance
with hin. may have lad a legal right
to all he asked. and yet how truly
money must have been his god. when,
standing before the Son of God. his
upperHssst tfsraeht wars about money
instead OF about Christi If lie could
use Christ TO obtain money for himself
well and good. but there is no record
OF his having followed Christ after He
refused TO Ect as Judge between him
and his brother And many today
Eke'this MAJ. have made money so sd
preme in their lives that they follow
Christ If Ii increases their fortune.
and leave Him If 1t does not. c.
Worldliness. What a striking illustra-
6on of woridiiness we have in the
foolish rich man In the parable Of
Christ following the preceding Incl
dent. With enlarged barns, bursting
with grain. the rich man sad. Sou.
thou hast much goods laid up for many
years; take thine ease-eat, drink. be
merry" What foolish man. How
could he feed his soul with material
nsaEzf II fs@6& ay~a ssx4~ t.~sxp.
many ysssS sstoss As@t Ee1s. for b.
I'D not have then osaA ssM. '"rhsu
fool. this night shalt tAy soul be re-
Quircd Of thee But how many today
still worship the Idol Of epIcureAnism.
But In the light Of Its absolute failure
to satisfy the soul it is wonder how
they can DO so. 81 Appetite Paul
thus characterized Il certain class OF
people In his letter TO the Philippians
Physical sRssstites are the gods Of
many people, and they waste ami
wreck their lives in overeating or in
fostering appetites for other things
that ruin and destroy them.
How may these modern idols be over
thrown? 1t depends upon the idol
Cd II money be your god. overthrow 1t
by giving in the name of Jesus. Chris
tan Hberality is the best safeguard
against miserliness and the best anti
dote for the worship of money % If
woridliness be your god, look at the
supreme folly of worshiping the tri-
fling. transient uncertain toys of life
while neglecting God and eternal
things. 90 If appetite be your god, look
at the ruin and destruction IL causes.
By the grace OF God overcome these
baser powers OF your nature.
BIBLE READINGS.
Ell. Xxx, 1-6; Lev. XVI, /; Elk. xxi,
IL. 80; Ps. cxxxv. 1921; Eccl ii, Ill;
lisa. xviii. Is; Dan. /, 1-l5; Matt vi,
24-34; John ii, 1911; V. 81.