Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-05-05
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.


Topic.-"Pflgrim's Progress" series.-IV.
The house of the 1nterpreter.--EccLx XII.
o-A: Jas. |, 1928
When Christian left Goodwill and
started again upon his journey ne
soon came to the house of Interpreter
10 which he had been directed. In
kerpreter welcomed him and took him
into private room, and there by vari-
Gus methods he pointed out to him the
things necessary for him to know upon
his Journey and also interpreted them
for him. Knowledge Is absolutely nee
Assary TO advancement in the Chris
tian life. Peter. the apostle. not only
commanded us to grow in grace" but
also lin the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ" Increased grace often
adds to our knowledge. and knowledge
assists us In growing in grace.
/. Interpreter showed Christian in
another room the picture "ot very
grave person hung up against the wall.
He had eyes lifted up to heaven, the
best books in his hands. 49, He stood
as If he pleaded with men, and
crown of gold did hang over his head
This picture represented the Holy
Ghost, and Interpreter explained to
Christian that his work was TO know
and guide the Masters people through
life and was their only true guide.
And we may ask. Is the Holy Spirit
b our hearts. and does He lead us, or
are we following false teachers?
2. Interpreter led Christian into
n very large. dusty parlor. man
swept 1t. and the dust almost choked
christian. Then Interpreter had wa
ter sprinkled on the floor, and the dust
was absent The parlor signified the
heart of sinful man. The dust rep
resented original sin and other defile-
ments. The law swept first and then
the gospel. The law made man to see
sin. but could not remove sin from
him. But the gospel cleanseth from
sin and makes the heart sweet and
pure. Many hearts are still dusty.
Men trust in personal righteousness,
and the heart is not cleansed by divine
grace. But this is false way of seek
ing salvation and sanctifeation. Only
Gods Spirit can cleanse and purify
the human heart.
8. Interpreter introduced Christian
into q little room, where sat two
children, named Passion and Patience.
Passion could not wait; Patience could.
Passion symbolizes the man who ig-
nores eternity and lives only for time,
Patience the man who serves God in
this life and lays up treasures in heav-
en- He is able and willing to wait
until God crowns him.
! 4. Interpreter led Christian TO
place where a fire burned fercely
against wall One stood by pouring
water upon 1t, but the more water the
higher the fame became. The fire, ex-
planned Interpreter. is the grace of
God In the heart Satan poured on the
water, but his efforts to decrease or
destroy divine grace only increased
Il, which is true. as God is superior to
Satan.
o. Interpreter showed Christian a
man In an iron cage This man had
once been on the road TO heaven, had
thought that he was a Christian, but
mad fallen back, proving that he had
never been truly converted, and had so
frequently repealed the invitations of
the Spirit that he had grieved the
Spirit away and was hopeless! "Grieve
not the Spirit of God" for "the Spirit
WIN not always strive with men"
These are not all of the things which
Interpreter explained to Christian, but
they are sufficient to teach us the
great importance of knowledge in our
religious life. Nor has God neglected
the possibility of our Christian edu-
cation. He has given us His own
word as our text book. The Holy
Spirit win unfold its meaning if we
study It faithfully. God has also given
as human Observation-Disclosures Sabbath
school teachers, Christian parents
The. supreme place to learn is in the
church of Christ Here are trained
men. educated men. whose life bust
mess is to study the word Be faithful
In the house of God, "be swift to hear"
and you will gain in grace and knowl-
edge.
BIBLE READINGS.
Gen. VI, s: Zech. iv, 1-6; John xii.
20-26; xiv, 1921; xvi. I'll; Acts xiv.
20-23: Rom. vii. 7-15; Thess. v, 1922: