Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-02-06
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning Feb. 10.
BY REV. S. II. DOYLE

-
BY REV. S. H DOYLE.
rupic.-Lessons from the patriarchs-
1 Noah.-Heb. XII, 4; II Pet. ii, 40; l Pet
~, 17-22
The history of the Old Testament
patriarchs contained in the eleventh
chapter of Hebrews is most remark
able record and one that has ever been
an inspiration to the Christian people
Of the world. 1t is the most compre-
hensiye summary in a most brief space
ef the prominent virtues of many OF
the worlds great men that is to be
found In sacred or secular literature
The most remarkable genius is dis
PLAYED in the vivid and rapid portray
al of the motives and the achievements
If some of the worlds great souls. In
the fewest possible words the lives of
men are made to stand in view before
us in such way that ut glance their
character and their whole lives are
fully revealed The study of these
lives and the lessons to be drawn from
them should be most interesting and
inspiring. for
Lives of great men all remind US
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind US
Footprints on the sands of time
The first one of these heroes TO
whom our attention is called is Noah,
and we may well make this an occa-
sion for studying his entire life, and
SO with the others, the lessons OF
whose lives we are to study.
rr~r- ,rINa NC y
lesson on faith. Noah lived in an age
of un5elief and godlessness. The en-
tire world was STEPPED in sin. The sins
Of man were so base and so universal
that God determined to destroy the
people of the world by a flood But
amid it all Noah preserved his faith
and righteousness and with them
the favor of God. No man need lack
faith because he lives in an age OF
unbelief. We should control our en-
yironments and not allow them to con
troll us. This is what Noah did. and
God amply rewarded him. He told
him of His intentions and provided for
him a way of escape. Noah did not
doubt Gods word, and, though the
Food did not come for 100 years, his
faith was so strong that he labored
away on the ark, and when it did come
he escaped. Faith in God is the first
essential in true life and absolutely
necessary If we are to escape punish
ment for sin.
2. The life of Noah teaches US a les
son on fear. Noah, moved with fear"
prepared the ark. Believing God, he
feared to disobey Him. The element
q fear is very much minimized in the
religion of today. 1t is given small
place. At one time it was no doubt
sveremphasized, but today too little
emphasis is placed upon it. The mercy
Of God is given the supreme place,
which is eminently proper, and yet
mercy even should not be emphasized
Mt the expense Of Gods justice. God
= most merciful to all who come to
Christ, but to those who neglect Hin,
lit is a fearful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God" Nor need
We expect to escape. The angels who
sinned did not. The world in the days
Of Noah did not. We may well fear
SIOu anu Give lcdl an tdut pldNN
as an incentive to faith and right liv-
ing.
3. The life of Noah teaches us les
son on the forbearance of God. God
waited 100 years even after His deci-
sion to destroy the world, and what for
except that man might be given every
opportunity to repent and to escape
the doom pronounced upon him? And
meanwhile Noah preached righteous
ness to the people, or, as Peter puts
II, Christ through Noah preached to
fhem. God is gracious, "slow to anger
and plenteous in mercy" but even
Ills Spirit will not always strive
with us. Let us therefore accept His
mercy as offered to us in Christ and
ind refuge and safety in Him. who is
the ark of our salvation.
BIBLE READINGS.
Gen. vi, IA, 11-22; JOSH |, II; Prov
! Z; lisa. ", II; Mark tx, 1927; Luke
xiii. 39-43; Rom. Nv, ITO; II Cor. H.
II: Heb. K, 1881; xi, $500; John v
Is: Rev. ii, 10.