Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-14

know it. you have felt It, Those times
when you delighted in the service of the
Lord are sweet remembrances to you yet,
though the blessings seem in the past. Is it
possible that some of us are not bearing
fruit as we used to do? That we have let
the rich gifts of God degenerate into weeds
only? 1t is quite possible, you know, in
some soils, for the rain and sunshine to
bring forth nothing but weeds and thorns
and briars. Are we perfectly sure that we
have not let this occur in our lives? Let
US see. There is that course of study
planned for the winter, a business course,
or music or German. You expect to give
every evening to classes or study. Have
you left free the prayer meeting night?
Have you taken a thought to the commit
tee you are upon, and left possibility or
work for that?
You are member of a little social cir
Gle somewhere and you have friends and
interests which will bring you not little
gayety and pleasure during the season.
Have you planned anything at all for the
other members of your society, that you
may give them pleasure and at the same
time gain an influence over them?
And in your prayer time have you set
apart a moment in which to pray for the
betterment of your Christian Endeavor
work?
Suppose, for instance, you are on the
prayer meeting committee. 1t may be you
are only an Insignificant submember, whose
advice is seldom asked 1t does not mat
ter in the least. If good work is going on
1t will certainly go faster If you put your
shoulder to the wheel and help. If there
is not much work. then get to work and
do something. 1t does not make the slight
est difference that you are shy and BASH
full and never have taken the lead any
where. Begin now. II no one else does
anything, do it yourself. Stir the rest up.
Don't say you can't; that they won't stir.
Do it. There isn't a soul in the world who
cannot stir others If he will try. It's be-
cause you never tried, perhaps, that you
Intaff nv 1rC in lie va
that that prayer meeting of yours could be
made better? Think! Is the attendance
as good as it should be? No? Well, how
many people have you invited to go with
you during the past year? And how many
have you prayed the Lord 10 send? You
certainly can do something for the meeting
in that way. Stir the rest of your commit
tee up to do the same-after you have be-
gun yourself! You can do wonders at
starting other people II you only snow them
that you are ready to practice what you
preach.
Does your prayer meeting committee
before each meeting? If not, try to get
them to do 1t. If you fail, suppose you
pray for the leader yourself before you
leave your home Tell the leader you will
do so. 1t will help him. There is more
power in prayer than anything else we
can do.
Do all the members pray in your meet
ings? And Is there much prayer? Agitate
this question. Be willing to pray brief
sentenca yourself and ask some SHY friend
to follow you. Arrange this before the
meeting.
Suppose you are on the lookout commit
tee. How many souls are there in your
church and community that ought to be
reached by your society who are not being
reached? How many associate members
are there in Your society who ought to be
active ones and members of the church and
are not? How vigorous an effort have you
mn 10 "a 81, NO arff