Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-12-06
CHRISTIAN ESDEAvoR.
Prayer aectfae Topic For the week
f,eEiuafng Dee. 10.

By REV. s. H DOYLE
Toplc.-The city Of Godfrey. xxi. i-S
The character OF life in the future is
a subject that has a deep interest for
every one who sincerely believes in a
future existence. and the evidences in
its favor are 50 many and so strong
that no one should doubt H. God has
fully recognized this attitude of man
toward the future and has given us
many revelations concerning the fu-
ture ia the Eble. Moreover, the condi-
tons Of the future are described in a
way that we can understand them,
ana we may also believe that our life
here l. similar la many respects to the
future lie. with the exception that
while SIN has made earthly life imper-
feet there viii be no imperfection in
the heavenly life. As an illustration Of
the fact that heavenly things are in
tesugialy described we find heaven IL
sell symhl zed as home. country
AMI a city such descriptions are read
liz understood. We know what cit.
is. and when heaven IS described as the
city OF c "a we have some conception
o. what il viii be and are filled with
longings 70 make il our eternal abode.
The city Of Col is the dwelling place
of God. OF his son, the angels and the
redeemed Of GARTH. We often hear the
question. where is heaven?' and can
only answer. Ii Is where God dwelis
To the dying rcpentant thief Jesus
said. .Tosisy shalt thou be with Me In
paradise" Heaven Is where Christ Is,
and Chriat is with God The exact 10
cality Ii unknown. The earth trans
formed NAY be the final abode of God
AMI His people. But, wherever II is,
it is the city Of God, the place where
God dwciis. and II we are the faithful
children Of God in this life il will also
be orr eternal home. More than this
we do not need to know. and more
than this God in His wisdom has not
seen at to reveal Being satisfied with
this. we should make IL the supreme
business of life here 10 make II o.
abiding place in the future regardless
of its actual locality.
The city of God is a most attractive
city. The descriptions of 1t In the BIZ
BILE may be figuratiye and typical. but
IL they fall short in pdrtray!ug 1t as it
actually Is the lack is on the side of in-
completeness rather than Of exaggera-
ton. The type is inferior to the reali-
ty. The picture Is underdrawn rather
than overdrawn, for EYE hath not seen
nor ear heard. neither hath Il entered
into the heart OF man the things which
God hath prepared for them that love
Him. In the city Of God there shall
be no impurities, no unfruitfulness, 20
more curse" for there shall be no sin
There shall De no night there. and
they need no candle. neither light Of
the sun, for the Lord God giveth them
light, and they shall reign forever and
ever. We shall see Him face to face.
and His name shall be in our fore
heads. We shall be everiastingly
saved and redeemed II such descrip-
tons fare short Of the reality. what
must the reality be? Can you afford
to lose the opportunity of becoming ar
inhabitant Of the city Of God?
BIBLE READINGS.
Ps. XVI. Ill; Ezek. Xvii, l-12: John
xiv, 1-3; Cor. ii, .; Phil. I'll. -. Il:
Heb. xi, SIG; XII, 1929; / Pet /. 80;
Rev xxi, II, 1927.