Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-04-14
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning April 10, 1909.
By REV. S. II, DOYLE.

By REV S. H. DOYLE.
Topic.-Why we observe the Lords day.
MARK xvi. 1-6: Acts Xxx. Z: Cor. xvi 2:
Rev. l. TO-
A question perhaps more pertinent
than the one before US might be,
why do we not observe the Lords
day? Sabbath dissertation is one OF
our great modern evils. But this fact
alone Is sufficient for us to study the
reasons for observing the Lords day,
with the prayerful hope that 1t may
aead us. even as Christians, to bet
Ter observance of the day and for
truer and loftier purposes.
The Lords day is used with discrim-
lnation. The Sabbath Of the Jews was
the seventh day of the week. The
Sabbath of Christians is the first day
Of the week. commonly called in the
New Testament 1.-The Lords day"
1. The Lords day is observed as
a memorial of the resurrection OF
Christ The change in days was I'M
doubtedly made to commemorate this
GROWING event in Christ's life. he
arose on the first day of the week and
met his disciples. He appeared to
them eight days later which was again
the first day of the week He ascend
ed the fortieth day after His resurrec-
tion, which was also the first day OF
the week. The apostles continued to
meet on this day and called 1t the
Lords day" Though with no record
ed command to change the days. yet in
practice they did do so as recorded
from Acts to Revelation. where John
In /. 10. declares that he was In the
spirit on the Lords day" Christ's
resurrection was an event OF such
vast Importance that 1t made even
such signal change a most worthy
one. Let us think Of the Sabbath as
the Lords day and give It to Him as
the Jews gave the seventh day to God.
2. The Lords day Is TO be observed
as day Of public and private wor-
ship On this day. at Rhilippi. Peter
preached the gospel to multitude
of people. and Paul urged the CORN
thians to lay aside offerings for Gods
work. Upon the first day Of the
week let every one Of you lay by him
IN store as God hath prospered him"
Here are two acts Of public worship
preaching and giving-and no doubt
they took place in the public congre
cation with the other parts of public
worship. such as prayer and singing.
The Lords day should be day Of
worship. The house of God should
not be neglected. Private worship
%a9- ,Ja
the worship Of nature or Of nothing
Churchgoing may seem to some an In
significant thing, but 1t Is Of vital I'M
portance. Few souls are saved or
grow In grace outside the church. 1t
Is next to impossible. We say. 1T Is
the only day we have for recreation.
for visiting friends. for getting out In
only day of the week which we have
not got. 1t Is ''the Lords day" instead
Of ours. and we should give unto Him
what belongs to Him. mot forsaking
the assembling Of ourselves together.
as the manner of some Is"
3. John was In the spirit on the
Lords day and had wonderful vi
sion. The Lords day is our day for
spiritual uplift and spiritual vision.
But to have 1t SO we must yield our
selves unto the Holy Spirit and let
Him pervade us. The spirit of sin, of
worldliness and of Indifference will
give us no heavenly vision on the
Lords day.
BIBLE READINGS.
Gen. Ii. l. 2; Elk. Xxx 2-11: Lev. XIV.
II: Mum. XIV. 1896; Neh. <. 81; lisa.
lviii, 10. IA: Jer. xvii. 2l.-27; Luke iv,
16; John Xxx. 1923: Rom. xiv. 5-12.