Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-04-28
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning May 2, 1909.
BY REV. s. III. DOYLl


Topic.-Life lessons from the book Of
Isaiah-Isa. vi l-9.
The book of Isaiah. The mere men
tion of this literary masterpiece. this
gospel of the Old Testament, which
speaks of the birth of the Messiah.
describes his life and pictures his cru
cifixion as If the authors words might
have been historic instead of pro-
phetic. should thrill us with reverence
for his great genius as a writer, his
noble conservation to God, and bring
our own souls into closer touch with
our Divine Lord and Saviour.
Isaiah was not the first of the proph-
cts, but his writings are placed first
because of their superior character to
those of all other Hebrew prophets.
He prophesied during "the reigns Uz-
xah, lothian, Ahaz and Hezekiah,
kings of Judah" These were times of
great material prosperity in Judah,
but great spiritual decline. In the first
chapter of his book we find the moral
and spiritual corruption portrayed as
only master of literature could do it.
Human language could scarcely de-
scribe the awful conditions that pre-
vailed. At this time also Judah faced
captivity In Babylon. This fact gave
Isaiah his great opportunity for seeing
dn the ultimate return of Judah the
salvation of all through the Messiah.
the Christ, the true servant of the
Lord"
The book Of Isaiah may be divided
into three parts;
First.-Prophetical chapters i-xxxE.
The main enemy of Judah in this part
was Assyria.
Second.-Historical. chapters xxxvi-
xxx. These chapters contain plain
and simple history of the reign of
Hezekiah.
Third.-Prophetical. chapters xl-lxvi
In this part Babylon is the chief enc
my of Israel.
sianic In character. In part first the
Messiah is presented as a mighty king
and ruler. Unto us a child is born.
unto us son is given, and the govern
ment shall be upon His shoulder. and
His name shall be called Wonderful,
Counselor. the Mighty God, the Ever
lasting Father. The Prince of Peace
lisa. tx, G, passage from part first.
Part second presents the Christ as a
suffering victim, an atoning sacrifice, a
meek and lowly Redeemer The best
illustration of this character of part
second Is found in lisa. lii, which
should be carefully read by every En-
deavorer in part preparation for this
service
In these prophesies of Isaiah great
moral and spiritual truths ST. I'd out.
He denounces sin and pleads for right
eousness. At the same time he speaks
almost like one of the evangelists in
his references to Christ. His book has
therefore been called ''the fifth gos-
pei" /. Moral and political teachings.
These pervade his book throughout.
He calls upon Israel to cease TO do
evil and learn to do good. He declares
that, though their sins may be as scar
let, yet they may be forgiven. He calls
upon the sinner to forsake his ways
and the unrighteous man his thoughts
and turn to God, who will abundantly
pardon. 2. Denunciation of idolatry.
In the time of Ahaz gross idolatry was
practiced. Isaiah severely denounced
It and saw it overthrown in the good
King Hezekiah's reign. But it was re-
stored under Manasseh. 8. He spoke
Of the coming Messiah and indicated
His true character. This is the great
est value of his book and what gives it
its highest standing. 4. Isaiah also
declared salvation to the gentiles. AS
Paul was the apostle to the gentiles.
Isaiah was their prophet. Frequent
passages refer to their coming to
Mount Zion, and in direct language he
emphasized his prophecy. Paul quotes
Isaiah as saying (referring to chapter
III: There shall be root out of Jesse,
and Ee shall rise to rule over the gen
tiles. In Him shall the gentiles hope"
Rom. XIV, ~.
BIBLE READINGS.
lisa. /, &c; 1918, ii, 1-3; iv, 1924; tx.
6; xi, II: xviii, II. 16; xxxv, lip;