Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-05-19
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.


BY REV. S. H. DOYLE.
Topic = Lessons from the biras and
,nowers.-Luke xii. 24-2s., Union meeting
with the Juniors.)
There is nothing in all the universe
that God has made which does not
praise Him and teach us useful les
sons about Him. The psalmist says,
1.-THE heavens declare the glory of
God" and the prophet declares that
HE shall be as the dew unto Israel
The greatest and the least works of
nature therefore teach us lessons con-
corning Him And between them come
the birds and the flowers, which teach
% many profitable truths.
The one great lesson that Christ in
the topical reference teaches us is that
Of Gods watchful care over His peo-
pie. 1t is a lesson on divine provi-
dence taught by the care which God
takes of these lower forms of crea-
tion, which are as nothing when COM
pared in value and in Importance to
man, who was created in Gods own
image and still retains 1t. though
married more or less by sin.
/. Christ teaches us lesson on
Gods providential care over us
through the birds; Consider the ra-
vens. for they neither sow nor reap,
which neither have storehouse nor
barn. and God feedeth them. How
much more are We better than the
fowlsT' The ravens, OF all birds in
Palestine they were the most undesir-
able-about as worthless as the Eng
lish sparrow In our country Yet God
feeds them, and not one of them fall
eth to the ground without His notice.
How can we doubt Gods care for us.
His provision for our physical needs,
when He thus provides for the least
desirable of fowls? Convalescing from
an attack of sickness some years ago.
I was at an ocean resort in the winter.
arose one morning to find that 1t had
showed during the night and was cold
and dreary. What worse than such a
day at the seashore? l felt down
hearted and depressed Suddenly
heard the chattering of birds and,
looking out a window, saw an unusual
sight.
There were scores of English spar
rows eating and chirping on the
ground below. thought of this refer
ence in the Scriptures. pulled myself
together, and the blues departed. But
! wondered at the provision made for
them and inquired about 1t. l was
told that on such days an abundance
Of food was thrown out on the snowy
ground for the sfarrows and that they
always came for it on bad days. God,
through some ones kind heartedness,
was feeding the sparrowsi Can you
doubt him? Need we worry about our
future? Never! 1.-THE Lord will pro-
vide"
Gods providential care over us
through the flowers. Consider the
lilies how they grow. They toll not
they spin not, and yet l say unto you
that Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like unto one Of these II,
then. God so clothe the grass, which
Il today IN the field and tomorrow is
cast INTO the oven, now much luoTe
Will He clothe you. o ye Of little
faithv What lessen from the lilies
9or trusting God for clothing and all
the necessary material things of life!
Only our little faith makes the present
Or the future seem dark and forebod-
ing when we realize what God has
done for the flowers. What we need
e more faith and less doubt and
worry.
In these two illustrations we are as
sured that God will provide food, home
and raiment for us and what more we
ask. Does the millionaire get more?
When it's all over and life is ended he
has had food and home and clothing.
which the humblest on earth also pos
sesses and which God promises to all
His children. He will not feed us with
q silver spoon. but viii open up the
way for our procuring food, and so
with all other necessary things. Never
doubt Him, only trust Him, and He
will bring it to pass.
BIBLE READINGS.
Elk. xix, 4-6; Ps. xiii; xxxvil, Is;
CHI, 10; evil. 1-S; S. of Sol. ii, ii;
vi, Is; Matt. iii, 1917; vi, 24-34; xiv,
23-28. Rev xii Ia