Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-12-30
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Wsaysr Meeting Topic Fer the Week
Beginning Jan. 3, 1909.

Wsoyer Meeting Topic Fer the Week
Beginning Jan. = 1909.
BY REV. 8. H. DOYLE
Espic.-The duty Of making good reso-
ouk1Bns.-Acts II. 1873; josh. xiv. 1l-zs.
lCunsecration meetingJ
The advis..hility Of making good
resolutions, especially at the beginning
of q new year, has for long time
been debated. In many quarters such
gesolutions have been made the sub
;1ects Of Jest and Of joke Neverthe-
neGs they continue year, after year,
which demonstrates that deep down
u the human heart there is something
good and that there are times when
oerts its purpose to reign supreme in
khe heart and life. No one truly in
ltercsted in the best good Of mankind
iean AFFORD to mock at such a condi-
vtlon or to deny the power Of such ex-
Reriences In the life of man. IL kept
for but time some good Is always
accomplished. and If kept permanently
khe good is eternal and usually re-
0alts In the salvation Of the soul. The
expediency and profit Of good resolu-
ttIons cannot therefore be denied. But
Tie topic goes still further and de-
eiares that the making Of good reso-
nutions is q duty. debt, an obliga-
God. This also is true and capable Of
being proved.
/. Good resolutions are a duty be-
cause they are absolutely necessary
fp moral and spiritual advancement.
mo bad habit can be broken unless
I've first resolve to break 1t. No ad-
Svancement can be made In the spirit
iual life without our determining that
i've win advance. The prodigal son
twas In a far country. facing a disas-
krous NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. In his ia
ther's house there was plenty. He
desired to 60 home and resolved that
fhe would go. Il will arise and 60 to
imy father" He kept bis resolution,
for ''he arose and went" This reso-
flntion was an essential element in his
return and restoration. Without 1t he
would have starved to death. We
ought to be In the proper relation to
sGod our Father and His house. II we
ARE not 1t Is our duty to resolve to be-
come so. II we are INDUCING in evil
habits they should be broken of. and
to produce such results we must re-
solve In our hearts that we will do so.
2. Good resolutions are duty be-
cause God requires them Of us. God
believes in good resolutions, even If
some men do make light of them. We
!have many instances in Gods word
where good resolutions are set forth
as duty. Every call Of God is n
duty. Through Joshua He called upon
Israel to resolve to give up idolatry.
Through Barnabas He exhorted the
Christians Of Antioch to purpose or
to resolve in their hearts to cleave
unto the Lord. He calls upon us to
choose Christ, to decide for Him, to
resolve In our hearts to love and
serve Him. This duty should be
pressed home especially at this time
of the year. Make resolution In IA
lvor Of Christ and He will help you to
strength are frail indeed, but resolu-
lions based upon divine strength are
fmpregnable, Il can do all things
through Christ. who strengthened
me-"
BIBLE READINGS.
Kings xviii, 81; Prov. i, 1919; H.
10; Ps. cxix, GIG, us; lisa. l. 1920;
Luke Nv, 1920; Matt. xvii, 21-26:
Dan !, lis; Acts v, 1923.
A.s:u~~~H