Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-06-17
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning June IA, 1903.
By REV. s. H. DOYLE.

Kings III, 5-l5.
The choice of life work is subject
Of the greatest Importance and oft
times one of great perplexity and anx-
iety. 1t is often settled for us by the
choice of our fathers before us. Multi
tudes of boys follow the profession,
business or trade of their fathers, and
to them the question has no concern.
But the boy who stands upon the
threshold of life, about to choose his
life work, faces one of the great crucial
moments of his career. That choice will
have a tremendous influence upon his
life. 1t will largely decide whether
his life itself shall be failure or
success. 1t requires, therefore, the most
serious and prayerful consideration.
What, then, are some of the elements
that should enter into the determine
ton of this choice.
/. God should be consulted. Parents
and friends will be interested. They
will give advice and make suggestions.
But God must not be left out of con-
sideration. In prayer we should ask
Him to guide US, nor should we ever
think for a moment of engaging in
work that would be displeasing to God
or that is in any sense disreputable or
dishonorable. Our supreme business in
life is "the Kings business" and our
life work should help US rather than
hinder us in the service of God. Will
liam Carey, "the consecrated cobbler,"
once said, MY business is preaching
the gospel, but cobble shoes 20 pay
expenses"
2. Natural inclinations should be an
important factor in deciding our life
work. Unless we do that in which we
find real pleasure and joy. the work
OF life will be awfully irksome and an
almost uncomfortable burden. A man
who had made a great success in his
chosen pursuit once said. MY work is
my play" 1t was so congenial to him
that working was like playing. And
just here it is well to remember that
no honest work in life is to be despised.
If our inclinations do not lead US to
choose a learned profession or a dis
tinguished career, this should not in
fuence us in our choice. The nobility
of work depends upon the worker and
not upon the work. The most humble
work may be gloriied by the dignity
Of the man performing it, and the most
exalted labor may be debased by the
character of the one engaged in it
Jesus was carpenter and placed halo
about His trade. Pontius PLATE wore
the purple robe. but disgraced it by
cowardice and injustice. Better a car
penter plus manhood than a king Mi
nus it. But, on the other hand, If one
Of the higher professions or careers ap-
peal to us, no matter what difficulties
may seem to be In the way, we should
courageously choose it. If willing to
deny ourselves to attain an end in life,
1t can usually be attained. In placing
a strong inclination in our hearts for
certain life work God has called US to
1t, and He will help US to attain to it.
8. Natural ability should be an i'm
portant factor in deciding our life
work. What we can do should be mo
Influential in our choice. Youth h.;
its dreams. 1t builds its air castles
but in the light Of ability many OF
these must fade away, and yet mar,
not approaching their limitations rush
in where angels fear to tread" The
result ia incapables, insists in all pro
fessions and business pursuits. Over
a millinery store In Philadelphia is e
sign that reads, "fiss Fit, Milliner"
There are many misfit milliners In
more than name only and insists in all
occupations. Overload parents often
direct their children to callings for
which they are not qualified. Many a
good farmer has been spoiled to make
poor preacher. But saddest Of all
insists in life are those where circum-
stances have forced men of real ability
into life work totally unfit for them
In many mills and factories, doing
purely mechanical labor which to them
Is drudgery, are men of real genius and
ability-artists plunging bars of iron
into heated furnaces, architects blow
ing melted glass into various wares,
men capable of weaving the destinies
Of others for good, quietly watching the
weaver's shuttle as it adds a new
thread to the texture being woven.
Here are some of the real tragedies of
life. And while many toll on, dream
ing of what might have been, is 1t any
wonder that others sometimes cry out
against their fates and even against
civilization and, as a drowning man
catches at a straw, fly to socialism.
and even worse, with the vain hope of
finding relief? But patience should be
their watchword. God moves slowly
sometimes, but He moves, and a
brighter day is surely dawning for the
toilers in our land
Whatever your life work be, do it
well, to the best Of your ability. If
you seem to have made a mistake in
your choice, spend not the days in
vain regrets. Whatever your work. do
1t unto God and not unto men, and
when He makes up the final records
Of life the great question will be not
what was our life work, but how did
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