Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-01-29
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Injecting Topic For the Week
Beginning fea. :. .-~3.

6CSsFHtES req. - -
BY REV. 5. II. poTLE
Topic-The real hear, Of Christian En-
beavor.-Col. ILL Ia. l2-25. iv. I-e. tConse-
GRAFTON meeting. Christian Endcavor day)
Twcnty-seven years ago today sle
christian Endeavor movement made
its beginning in day of small
things" put under the blessing of God
It has grown until today 1t is world
wide in its extent and influence No
statistics collected by mau and no
vision Of the human Imagination could
tell the story OF the achievements Of
these twenty-seven years. Only the
records OF eternity viii lie able to re
veal the number OF souls saved. the
number of saved souls vitalized into
Christian zeal and activity and the ire
mendous influence that Christian En-
deavor has welded In extending and
deepening the broadest Christian fel-
lowship and heartiest cooperation in
Christian activities. What device Of
man could number the kind deeds
done, the kind words spoken. or could
recall the visits to the sick. the Inn
prisoned. to the outcast. in the name of
Jesus Christ by the millions Of young
people the world over who have march
ed under the banner Of Christian En-
aeavor? To attempt the impossible
would be absurd. Therefore let rs
humbly thank God for His goodness
and blessing and ascribe to Him all
glory and honor for these years Of op-
portun;ty and achievement.
At ssch time our thoughts neces-
sarily turn to some phase Of Christian
Endeayor. and what more appropriate
than that suggested by the topic The
Heart OF Christian EndeavorY For
he who would understand the progress
Of these twenty years and catch
new inspiration from the past for the
present and future must comprehend
the secret source of its power ana III
huence. Nor. do we need to look in
vain for an answer TO such an inquiry.
The heart Of Christian Endeavor is
Jesus Christ. He has Teen and is to-
day the supreme and central figure
from whom Christian Endeavor has
received its inspiration and energy.
The throb of His heart as He lived
among men that He might do them
good and as He died upon the cross
that He might save them for God and
heaven has been the dynamic force in
Christian Endeavor from the day of
it's birth. Who can doubt it? Chris
Dan Endeavor was organized for
Christ and in and through Christ fo-
His church. The first sentence OF the
Christian Endeavor pledge reveals the
heart Of the whole movement-"Trust
ing In the Lord Jesus Christ for
strength, l promise Him" There lies
its heart, the secret source of its pow
er and its influence, and in no better
way can this Christian Endeavor ami
'versary be celebrated than by the re-
conservation of every Christian En-
.deayorer to Christ.
: But sincere conservation to Christ
or in the exemplifying of the Christ
spirit in our lives The aim of Chris
tan Endeavor throughout all these
years has been to inculcate this spirit
of Christ into the hearts of all be-
levers and to inspire its manifesto
ton in their lives. And our aim today
should be of similar character. We
should strive more and more to cult
,vate and to emulate the spirit of
Christ, which is spirit Of prayer Of
fellowship, sof holiness and of service.