Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-07-07
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning July II, 1909.


Grafton meeting)
1t would be impossible in such lin
ited space to discuss in any detail the
many important questions that have
arisen concerning the gospel Of John
That John wrote the gospel cannot be
successfully denied. 1t is true that his
name is not directly attached to it. but
the author in modesty speaks of him
self as shat disciple whom Jesus
loved This expression can be ap-
Piled to John alone. 1t is true also
that the style of writing is different
from that Of Johns epistles and the
Revelation. which he also wrote. But
there is no argument here against
Johns authority of the gospel, for no
author of ability would use the same
style of composition in three books SO
vastly different as Johns gospel, his
letters and his ecstatic vision, which
he received on the island of Patmos
History requires one style of compost
ton, letters another and a vision deal
ing with sublime symbols and imagery
stiIl third. 1t IS true also that Johns
gospel differs in form from those Of
Matthew. Mark and Luke. But this
lies simply in the different purpose
John had In view They told the story
OF Christ's earthly life. recorded his
sayings end deeds. but Johns distinc-
tive purpose. as declared by himself
was to set forth the divinity of
Christ. These are written the words
Of his evangeD that We might believe
that Jesus is the Christ. the Son OF
God, and that believing. We might
have life through His name" Fuse
bius, the historian. quotes Clement of
Alexa ndria as saying that John. the
last of the apostles. perceiving that
the bodily things (of jesus had been
made known in the gospels and being
at the same time urged by his friends
and at the same time being borne
along by the Spirit, wrote spiritual
gospel
This was Johns purpose and hence
his gospel differs in character from
the other gospels. but be IS none the
less the author and what he SAYS none
the less true Men who deny the d.
vin1ty of Christ have fiercely attacked
the gospel of John, simply because to
accept it would be TO acknowledge the
diety Of Christ. But regardless of all
assaults it has gone on in its career
Of revealing the divine side of the ma
ture Of Christ, with its records of his
highest spiritual addresses. strengthen
ing the weak, comforting the sorrow
ing and leading men unto eternal life
through Jesus the Christ. the Son of
God" Human attacks fan helpless
when they are aimed at that which is
divine.
The gospel Of John alone records
Christ's attendance at four Passovers
in His public ministry. which makes
this period of His life three years
long. See John H. 10; V, i; vi. 4: xii.
q. The gospel may upon this basis be-
naturally divided as follows:
1. Prologue.-The deity of Christ
(chapter /, La.
2. The Introduction TO Christ's Pub
lie Ministry .-Preaching Of John the
Baptist. calling disciples. wedding at
Cana Of Galilee chapter i. 10: ii, 12i.
8. First Year of Public Ministry, Gov
ering Labors in Judea. Samaria and
Galilee.-Cleanses the temple, Nico-
demus, woman of Samaria, heals no.
bleman's son iii, Is; iv. 54).
4. Second Year Of Public Ministry
Healing Of lame man at port of Be-
thesda and discourses ", /; vi, A..
5. Third Year Of Public Ministry
Feeding Of 5000, various incidents.
blind man healed, Christ as shepherd.
raising Of Lazarus, last week Of Christ
on earth, crucifxion, resurrection wi,
8: xxi, 81.
The gospel Of John contains one Of
the most comforting addresses deliv-
cred by Christ 1t begins with the
fourteenth chapter and closes with the
seventeenth, which contains His in
tercessary prayer. The address opens
with the familiar words, Let not
your heart be troubled He was
about to leave them and comforts
them. The basis Of the comfort is
faith-faith in God, faith In Christ,
faith in future life, when they shall
be reunited. Il go TO prepare a place
for you. that when ! am there We may
be also" To faith He adds the COM
ing Of the Holy Spirit TO represent
Him and the important work which
He has to do. Faith should be the
ground of all comfort. He who be-
Heves unto salvation need fear nc
evil. Let not your heart be trou-
bled."
BIBLE READINGS.
John l, LA; xxxv. Al; ", "a; vi,
26-49; Xvi SO; x. lilo; ri, 3S-44; iii,
1-S; Xxx, 26; XIV, ITO; Xxx, so, 81
Cne-With God.
Australian Endeavorers are also en-
gagged in floating Christian Endeavor
work. Five societies have been start
ed on vessels in Sydney. These float