Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-05-23
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning May 81.


BY REV. S. H DOYLE.
Topic.-John Williams and missions tc
the south seas.-Ps. Ncvii. i-12.
lisa. TX, o, contains this prophecy:
"Surely the isles shall wait for me, and
the ships of Tarshish first TO bring thy
sons from affair, their silver and their
gold with them, unto the name of the
Lord thy God and to the Holy One OF
Israel. because he hath glorified thee
In the Ninety seventh Psalm the
psalmist declares, The Lord reigneth;
let the earth rejoice; let the multitude
of the isles rejoice The Seripturai
intimat!on seems TO he that the islands
of the sea win especially rejoice in the
salvation offered in Jesus Christ. All
history confirms this Inference. Island
missions have been most successful
Pauls first missionary work was on
the islam Of Cyprus, and 1t was sue
cessful IN later Christian history we
have an ilustriOus illustration Of this
fact in .ie conversion Of the British
islands 10 Christianity and their stead
fast adherence to the Christian faith.
In the story Of modern missions there
are further considerations in NADIA
gascar, the Philippine Islands. the New
Hebrldes under the ministry of the
sainted John c. Patton and in the
south sea islands.
The missionary hero of the south sea
islands vas John Williams. He was
born near London June % 1896. At
the age OF fourteen he was apprenticed
to an ironmonger, and, although be
manifested great love and skill for me-
chanics, at the age of twenty he OF;
fered himself to the London Missionary
society as a missionary. He was ac-
cepted, and, after being especially
trained, he was ordained and with his
wife sailed for the south sea Islands
in November, 1916. But twenty years
of age he was willing In the Masters
cause TO give up calling that APP
pealed to him and go hundreds of miles
away from home for the privilege of
preaching the gospel to the ignorant
and dangerous inhabitants of the south
sea islands. Such conservation could
not but be blessed of God. His success
was remarkable. He visited various
islands and made many converts. He
translated the Scriptures into the Ian
guages of the people. Being in poor
health, he returned to England in 1888,
where he remained for several years,
during which time those among whom
he had labored were still on his heart
and mind He translated the New Tes
lament into the language of one of the
islands, raised $4,000 for missionary
ship, prepared plans for a college and
wrote a history of his missionary la
bors. In 1888 he and his wife embark
ed again for his missionary field. tax
ing ten other missionaries with them.
On a trip to the New Hebrides in 1899
he suffered martyrdom for the cause
of Christ. The Inhabitants being can
nibals only a few of the bones of his
body were found by his friends. But
his work remained as a testimonial to
himself and an inspiration to all who
know his history.
The life of John Williams in eonnec-
ton with the south sea island mission
work should be a great inspiration to
all young Christians especially. At
twenty years of age he had faith and
zeal and courage and in most self
denying manner gave himself and his
all to Christ. What are we doing for
Jesus| Opportunities in abundance
lie about us. Are we taking advantage
Of them and, above all. are we to the
extent of our ability doing all we can
to win not only the Islands of the sea,
but the world. for Christ?
BIBLE READINGS.
lisa. lii, 7; Matt. V, IL, u; xviii, IS
20; Acts XII, 1-3, 1888. 1889; XIV, %,
&c; Cor iii, $40: II Cor. xi, 1888; II
Tim. iv, 6-s; Rev. xxi, IT.