Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-02-12
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning Feb. rs, 1903.
BY REV. S. II. DOYLE.

By REV. S. II. DOYLE.
Topic-Ministering to prisoners and the
Door.-Matt XIV, 31-36.
Christ has given us of the day when
God shall judge the world and the
practical basis upon which judgment
eAAll be based He gives us list OF the
classes of people toward whom Chris
Elan sympathy and benevolence should
only the strangers and the sick" but
also prisoners and the poor" II was
IN prison, and We came unto me-" Il
was hungry, and We fed Me; thirsty.
and We gave me drink" The prisoners
behind the bars and the starving and
thirsty poor are to be objects Of our In
terest and consideration. That the poor
ahould be is a most natural thing. but
the Master took an advanced step in
philanthropy when He declared that
Q visit to an imprisoned criminal was q
visit to Him. But this is only another
illustration Of the broad mission Of
Christ into the world.
AdkahSn tOOA nO bCHCVOiCut
IN those whom the state had debarred
Of their liberty for crimes against an
Individual or society. but Christ had
sympathy for all men. He Himself
was once prisoner though falsely ac-
cused. He was even condemned and
executed. He died between two male
factors and saved the soul Of one Of
them. His apostles and many of His
saints have known what 1t was to en-
dure the WEAKNESS and hardships Of
prison life. Remembering His words
and these things, our sympathy and
aid are to be extended toward prison
ers as well as the poor.
What young people can do for pris-
oners is most perplexing problem.
There is one comfort In the fact that
prison life today Is not what IT has
been in days gone by. Philanthropic
societies, either Christian or inspired
by a Christian spirit, have done much
to alleviate the sufferings and barba-
rous treatment that characterized a
prisoners life In the centuries gone by
This work is still progressing The
state itself is realizing more and more
that Imprisonment should be exercised
with mercy as well as justice. Society
must protect itself against lawbreak
ers, but in doing so it is being recos
nized that reformation as well as pun
ashment must be kept in mind. If
not the man who leaves the prison
door has become only more danger
GUS foe to society and the state. In
most of our prisons there are first
class libraries, and daily papers are
admitted. Religious services are con-
Quoted regularly, and some have chap
lains. In number of our prisons
Christian Endeavor societies have
been organized, and the hearts of
many of these unfortunates in prisons
and in jails have been cheered by
Christian Endeavors services. The av-
erage Christian Endeavorer has little
opportunity for this work, but there
Is one thing all can do, and that is to
pray for the salvation of those i'm
prisoned. Christ heard the prayer of
the dying thief for himself. and He
can and will hear our prayers in be-
half Of modern malefactors.
Christian benevolenee toward the
poor Is unlimited for want of oppor-
tunity. The poor we have always
with u.s." There is possibly no Chris
tan Endeavor society that has not
some opportunity to care for the poor
Sometimes they are Gods poor, and
sometimes they consist Of those who
through their own faults have brought
poverty upon them. But these ques-
tons should not concern us. We serve
I'm .Christ's name and for His sake.
Is any one In need? Can l help him ?
II so the duty rests upon US to do 1t.
Let us remember also that our benev-
olences win not save us. We work for
Christ because we are saved and not
to he saved. On this foundation only
rests true Christian charity, such as
win bring His welcome plaudit, "well
DONE"
BIBLE READINGS.
Deut Nv, IL; Job XIX, IS, l6; rs.
xxxiv, 1-6; Matt. Z, 4O-42; XVI, II;
Luke xiii. 3343; Acts Nv. ii; II Cor.
viii, 8; II Tim. i, 1918; Jas. ii, 1926