Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-12-26
CHI ausTIAN eNDEAvoa.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Wees
Beginning Dec. 80.
BY REV. S, II. DOTLE.

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Beginning Dec. 80.
BY REV. s, II. DoTIE.
Tcpic.-Reaching farth.-Phil. ill, 12-14
There are times and seasons in our
lives when we cannot but take view
sDf life and be filled with desire at least
to make the future better than the
past One Of these times is at the be-
ginning of new year. 1t is undoubt
aedIy the season Of all seasons when
the heart of man is most inclined to
make an effort to improve upon lis
past life. Some may consciously make
bdefinite resolutions to accomplish this
result, and others, while they may
have wearied of the resolution habit
yet perhaps even unconsciously do fee
the desire as new year approaches
10 make it the very best year Of their
lives. And it is most reasonable to
have such feelings and desires. Any
how natural that we should want our
last year to be our best both tempo
rally and spiritually,
The apostle Paul in the familiar
words selected for our topical refer
ence SEEMS, as it were, to be taking
stock of his life-of just how he stood
In his relation to God and to life-anG
no words in Scripture are more sugges
tive for such an occasion as new
yenr than these words of the apostle
written to the Philippians. He reviews
the situation in his own life, and sets
before us the supreme aim of his life
His attitude toward the future is one
of desired progress, and to progress &
he desires to do he sets but one aim be
fore him and with all energy reache
forth to the. goal before him. His de
scription Of his aim and his reasons for
It and methods by which it is to be at
tanned may well guide us in our con
alteration of the subject, Reaching
forth" especially as applied to this
season of the year.
1. Paul was led to desire future ad-
vancement for the reason that he had
not yet attained to the objects which
he had In view. Not as though l had
already attained or were already per
feet" This should be our supreme
reason for reaching forth, for desiring
to improve upon 1905 in 1907 We
have not yet reached perfection. We
cannot say, There is nothing beyond"
With the best of us there is still room
for improvement. No matter to what
Christian experiences we may have at
fained, there are still richer and higher
experiences possible to us. No matter
how faithfully we may have served
our Master, there is still the possibil
fly of more and improved work for
Christ. Regardless of the high stand
ard Of our personal lives, they can be
improved. Realizing these things, lei
us determine to do better and be bet
ter In the coming year than ever be
fore.
2. In PauPs desire to improve upon
the past he determined to forget it
Forgetting those things that are be
hind" he reached forth. The remeni
brance of the past may hinder pres
ent and future progress, We may be
depressed by its weaknesses. The rec
objection OF its sins may lead US t.
commit them again. Forget the past
Make new start and let the past
bury the past Reach forward to the
future.
8. Paul had single, definite aim be
fore him. This one thing do
press toward the mark for the prize OF
the high calling of God in Christ Je-
sus." Definite aim is necessary to
success In anything, and not less so in
the moral and spiritual life. And what
q goal Paul selected toward which to
aim! His one ambition was not gold
or fame or pleasure or power, but the
salvation of his soul This should be
the supreme aim of our lives. and ev,
srything else should be subordinated
b 1t. For what shall it profit man if
he shall gain the whole world and lose
his own soul?"
BIBLE REFERENCES.
Elk. xiv, 10. IS; Prov. iv, 1921; Matt
y, As; / Cor. XII, /, 2; XIV, IS; Eph. V,
1920; Gal. vi, 7-1o; Col. iii, /, 2; Heb.
- o. Tal, p.