Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-05-20
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Prayer Meeting Topic Fer the Week
Beginning May "a, 1908.

By REV s. H. EoYLE.
Topic-Being a Christian-IlI. At the
ballot box-Ps. xviii, 1-s.
This topic suggests that Christianity
should play 4 part In our political
lives, and there is no doubt that it
should. Nations as well as individuals
are dependent upon God and are held
responsible by Him for their misdeeds
The only difference is that nations are
punished IN this life, while the full
punishment for mans sins, if unre-
pented of and unforgiven. is reserved
for the future The nation that for
gets God shall perish" says the Scrip
ture, and only very small knowledge
of the history of nations is necessary
to manifest to us that this statement
is true. Call the roll of the once great
nations-Bab ylon. Greece, Rome, Spain
and others-and what is their position
among the nations of the world? They
have fallen, and all because they for
got God They forsook righteousness.
which exalts nation. and reveled in
sin. which is a reproach to any people.
On the other hand, blessed is the ma
ton whose God is the Lord" This is
Just as true as its opposite. The great
nations of today-England the United
States and Germany-hold their posi-
lions because the mass of their people
at least fear God and obey Him.
The policy of our own government,
being "of the people, by the people and
for the people," is decided by the votes
Of its male population over twenty-one
years Of age. And upon the man who
has reached this age rests a great ma
tional responsibility. He possesses an
equal power at the polls with the pres
ident of the United States. Upon about
100000 of our male population the
power of determining the character of
the national government depends. and
upon these same men, variously dis
tributed, depends the government of
states, cities and counties. The value
Of the right of suffrage cannot there
fore be too much emphasized. All
men, and especially Christian men,
should exercise this right. But, alas,
how often they are careless and indif
ferent and allow the more irresponsi-
CioSStS Vi tie udt1Uu W uO It's NOl-
ing. 1t is not a question of being on
the winning or losing side, but ques-
ton Of the performance of an impor
liant and sacred duty. No Christian
man should neglect or refuse to vote.
Moreover, he should take the time to
intelligently inform himself as to how
he should vote for the best interests
of city, state or nation.
How we shall vote as Christians is a
difficult question to answer. Every
voter must study the question and de-
eide it for himself. No vote is ever
cast in vain. 1t counts for something
regardless of the majority that may be
against it. This much, however may
be said: No Christian should blindly
vote party ticket, whether right or
wrong, The most influential voter in
our land today is the independent vot-
er, who studies measures and men and
conssientiously votes for what he be
lieves to be for the best And he is
increasing In numbers, and as his
numbers increase he VIII force all par
ties to nominate clean men and to sug
eSSS oAA SoAAy out oaiS DcueuCIGJ
measures, and thereby the standard
and perpetuity of the nation will be
preserved. We should vote as we pra.
and pray while we vote, and we will
not go far wrong in our voting and
can ask the blessing of God upon our
votes and our cause
BIBLE READINGS.
Dr. a., n
xiv, "a; Ps. Xxi, IA; Sam. xvi, 6-12;
Mum. xvii, 2-2S; Matt. xii, 1922
Rom. tx, Is; K, 1; xiii, II.
The Utmost For the hiahest.