Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-06-16
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic Fors the Week
Beginning June 20. 1909.
By REV. S. Fl. DOYLE.

By REV s. f. DOYLE.
fTcpic.-"Piigrim's Progress" series.-NI-
ahe Hin of Difficulty. vii. i4-S; II
Cor. vi lilo.
In our last view of Bunyan's pilgrim
we saw him at the cross. where the
burden which he had carried so long
Tell from of his back. filing him with
treat JOY and gladness But. Ike the
real Christians life. when the burden
of sin Is rolled away at the cross his
tourney is not ended. He must stiil go
forward. sometimes amid dangers and
difficulties. as Christian soon dis-oy-
cred. But with the burden of sin gone
and the grace of God TO sustain us we
may face trials and temptations with
confidence that We can overcome them
even as Christ overcame them.
The Hill of Difficulty was the first
obstacle that stood in the way OF
Christians advancement He met It
soon after his experience at the cross.
Because the blood of Christ has
eieansed us from sin does not induce
Satan to abandon his efforts TO destroy
US. Indeed. his efforts are all the more
vigorous So long as we are out OF
Christ the evil one is not much con-
eerned about us. but the moment we
accept Christ be turns his batteries
against us. Pilgrim found it so. for he
soon came to the "fcot Of Hill Diff
Guilty. at the bottom Of which was q
spring" There were two ether ways
besides that which came straight from
the gate. One turned to the left and
the other to the right. They were
called Danger and Destruction and
the straight way Difficulty. Two 9TH
ers were also present al the bottom of
the hill. One of them took the way
called Danger, which led him to a
great wood. The other took the road
marked Destruction and was led into
a wild field fun of dark mountains,
where he stumbled and fell and rose
no more.
Some people have propensity for
taking the wrong road. They follow
false paths, which lead TO destruction.
But, though Difficulty was rugged
and steep, Christian selected it. He
started up running. then came TO
walk, then to crawling on his hands
and knees, with great difficulty max
Ing advancement Thus it is with all
Christians. Difficulties abound Self
denial and exertion must be put forth.
The world allures US: ten goral in
terests draw u.s. II Is no small diff
Guilty to overcome evil habits and tend
enc.es. 1t Is severe struggle. THE
spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"
while we would do good. evil is pres
ent with u.s." Sometimes the farther
we go the harder the way becomes
We start on the run. but soon come to
a walk and then have TO crawl. The
Christian life is no beating at wind,
but real antagonist opposes US. and
we must fight if we would win. But
what does it matter with Christ to
help us?
-. This day the noise of battle,
y The next the victors song
J Halfway up the hill Christian came
to an arbor, pleasant resting place.
Here he fell asleep and on departing
later left his precious roll, which con-
tztned his instructions. He assembled
the hill before discovering his loss
and was compelled to return. Forru-
nately he found the roll. but his care
lesEness led him to much trouble, grief
and hardship and should warn US
against carelessness and indifference.
BIBLE HEADINGS.
Gen. Ill, Is; Prov. iv, 1927; Matt. iv,
III; vii, 1928; xi, $3.50; Mark viii,
Bass; / Cor. II, 22-33; / Tim. Il, 1-3;
", is; Heb. xii, 1, 2; Rev. ii, 10.