Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-07-24
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning July II.
BY REV. 5. II. DOYLE.


Having stadied the FIRST four COM
mandments. which sum up our duty TO
God, we new turn to the last six com
mandments. which refer to the duty OF
man to man. These commandments
are of great importance, 1t Is in vain
for any man TO attempt TO serve God
and not be just aud honest toward his
fellow human beings, whether they live
next Gcor to him or ON the opposite
side of the globe. We are not only to
love God, but also our 'neighbors as
ourselves" aad every human being IS
our neighbor.
l. The fifth commandment enjOins
children to honor and obey their par
ents. Honor thy father and thy moth
err" This is most important COM
mand and one that needs to be espe-
cially emphasized today. The COM
mand now seems to be reversed, and
many parents OBEY their children. But
the fault lies largely with themselves.
There is too much pampering of chill
idren and too much effeminate dealing
WIFI tbeul, WHICH - CdAlcN IulhS ~
kindness and love. But it is not love
on the part of parents, but weakness.
Whether by love or by rod, without
tyranny. children should be controlled.
If not. the future has in store ruined
men and broken hearted parents. But
themselves guiltless. The selfish. I'M
grateful, disobedient child cannot be
too severely condemned. Parents live
largely for their children and would
die for them. What less can children
do, therefore. than to love, honor and
obey their parents?
2. The sixth commandment condemns
murder. Thou shalt not kill" But
there are different ways of disobeying
this command. Christ says, He that
hatch his brother is murderer" If
we would keep this commandment. we
must not only refrain from taking a
human life. but keep out of our minds
and hearts all malice and hatred.
8. The seventh commandment for
bids impurity. Thou shalt not COM
NIT adultery" The sin of impurity is
appalling in the present age The overt
sin OF adultery is committed with in
lcreasing rapidity. All the Mormons Of
vorces are greatly on the increase, and
many of the Divorces by marrying
again are morally, If not legally, break
ing this commandment. The hearts Of
the young are often contaminated. VI
cious literatur vulgar stories, indie
scent pictures pasted on billboards and
published as advertisements, are play
ling havoc with the innocency and pu-
rtty Of youth. Christian Endeavor
young men and women should avoid
all forms of impurity. Do not tell or
even listen to an impure story. Avoid
books Of an impure character. Listen
not to the soft and flattering words OF
those who would ruin you. Above all.
keep yourself pure in heart. for 1.-The
ipure In heart shall see God"
4. The eighth commandment forbids
dishonesty. Thou shalt not steal
Honesty is the foundation of a true
character. The dishonest man is de-
spised by all men. And there are other
ways of stealing than by taking money
iout of another's pocket. Any kind Of
dishonesty is theft The capitalist who
waters his stock, the merchant who by
shrewd q business methods takes a
penny or million dollars that are not
honesty his, are thieves The revela-
lions of dishonest dealings in politics
in, hox
appalling, but they should teach the
youth of America the important lesson
of strict honesty in all things, little as
well as great.
5. The ninth commandment forbids
false witness bearing. Thou shalt
mot bear false witness against thy
ineighbor." In this commandment all
forms Of lying are forbidden, from
false gossip about our neighbors to per-
Jury before court of justice A liar
is an abonination to God and to man.
land one who has the reputation of de-
flaming the character of others is
lshunned by all who can possibly avoid
them. Stand for truthfulness at all
times.
9. The tenth commandment forbids
righteousness. Thou shalt not covet."
lCovetousness is on the increase. As
christians we should be satisfied with
what God 6as given us and not desire
what belongs to others, for the desire
may develop into the attempt to pos
lBess ourselves wrongfully Of them.
BIBLE READINGS
Matt. v, 21-24, 27-32; xv, 40; Thess.
". Is; Col. Iii, STA; Eph. vi, Ii; Rev.
xii, Ills.
Our Pledge.