Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-06-07
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
BEGINNING June IL.
BY REV. s. II. DOYLE.

BY REV. s. H. DOYLE.
T5pic.-Not ashamed of the gospel
Rom. |. 1871.
There We're some things in the life of
the apostle Paul of which he was prob,
ably ashamed. He was ashamed that
he had stood by and guarded the
clothes Of those who stoned Stephen.
the first martyr, to death; ashamed
that he had even raised his voice
against Jesus of Nazareth and asham-
ed that he had prosecuted the followers
lof Christ. But after he had seen
Christ and had been converted he was
mot ashamed of the Christ or His gos-
lpel. In Ephesus he preached il. boldly
Nm the face of those who ardently wor
lshiped Diana of the Ephesians. In
Athens he proclaimed it to Greek phi
liosophers on Mars hill. In Corinth,
the rich and aristocratic city of his
day. he preached it as against the vices
and imnoralities of its people. and
when called upon to speak for himself
before the royal tribunal of Agrippa.
Bernice and Festus he forgot to speak
flor himself and spoke for Christ-not
ASHAMED of the gospel even before
kings and queens Many Christians
to-day can stand before the poor and
afflicted and say: II am Christian.
Wont you become ene?" But when
they stand before the rich and infuen
fial, even If they get that far. their
f'.tongues cleave to the roof of their
mouths" and with apology and almost
l-k,n l. ~ - =
they speak at all There may be many
Things in ourselves of which we may
BE ashamed, but no Christian need
ever be ashamed of the gospel or
apologize to any one for the fact that
he is Christian.
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel
epr four good reasons. a 1t is the
bower of God unto salvation. and
therefore it actually saves men. e. 1t
= offered to men who need to be saved,
because they have sinned. (3) 1t is
6ered upon the condition of faith
10 every one that believeth." a. 1t is
b6ered to all men. What reasons could
- more convincing? All men have
aimed and need TO be saved. In the
gospel God freely offers salvation to all
men upon the simple condition of ac
aptance of 1t, and, moreover. this gos-
al actually saves. Why should any
ne be ashamed Of such a gospel? If
my one had an efectual cure for all
he physical ills of mankind and could
6er it to men for nothing, would they
- ashamed to proclaim such fact
the world? They would be glad to
b 1t, and the world would gladly re-
peive their message, and men will glad
b receive the gospel, the message of
hpiritual and eternal salvation, If as
Christians we show by our lives that
we have been saved, and with manly
boldness instead of stammering tongue
ppologetic and eringing mien, we pre-
willing to preach the gospel in Rome.
he great imperial city, becau.e he
was not ashamed Of the gospel. lie
Hid preach 1t In Rome, and Rome lis
tened and became the chief center Of
Christian activity. from which the Cos
pei spread throughout the world.
Yet some people are ashamed Of the
acknowledge Christ as their Saviour
by uniting with His church. Some aft
or publicly confessing Him are weak
and timid in presenting Him to others
and in letting others know that they
are Christians In proclaiming our
patriotism and even in standing for
henominationalism we are not hesitat-
ing, but bold and without thought of
ehame. We are proud to say, Il am
IN American" or Il am Methodist"
II am a Baptist" Il am a PreSby-
berian," but for some reason there is
= hesitancy in boldly proclaiming our
allegiance to Christ and our faith In
he gospel of Christ. But this should
pot be. In no spirit of personal boast
ing. but in the truest spirit of per
ponal humility. we should Loyalty stand
nv Christ and the gospel
BIBLE READINGS.
! Ps. X, 8. 10; evil, Is: cxvi. 1919;
Bxxxvii, 1-6; lisa. lii, Z; Matt. XVI. GO
u; Mark viii. IS; John tx, 1927: Rom
?, Is; TX, SO; I Tim, iv, Is; Pet. IL.
Is.