Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-08-11
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Wsek
Beginning Aug. Is, 1909.
BY REV. 5. III. Doyle.

~ AZ II. ~ IL.
Topic. - Pilgrims Progress SERIES
VIII. Two valleys.-Ps. xxi, Is; Mic.
vi. 7. s: Rom. viii. $3.50.
Having sojourned In the Palace
Plentiful and been instructed and hay
Ing put on the whole armor of God"
Christian resumed his journey. He
was accompanied part of the way by
Discretion, Piety, Charity and Pru-
hence, good companions for Christians
at all time. These inhabitants of the
palace accompanied him down to the
foot OF the hill upon which the beauti-
full palace was located. Supplying
him with food and drink. they return
ed and left him to continue alone.
His first experiences following these
events consisted in passing through
two valleys, the valley Of Humiliation
and the valley of the Shadow of
Death. In these valleys be met with
serious difficulties and dangers. The
Christian life is not always an easy
one. Temptations assail us within
and without. The pathway is often
narrow and difficult of following. and
all along the way we must trust in the
strength of God and follow where He
leadeth." This was what Christian
did, and IN doing soS he overcame.
who is he that overcometh the world
but he that believeth that Jesus is the
Son of God?" This is the victory
that overcometh the world. even our
faith" Nothing .can separate us from
the love of Ged in Christ Jesus"
l. The valley of Humiliation. No
sooner had Christian entered this val
ley than he met "a foul fiend coming
over the field TO meet him. His name
was Apollyon." Apollyon represented
an evil spirit who tries to disturb the
faith of men. TO devour their souls.
Christian was alarmed. but met the
enemy. An argument arose as -
whether Christian belonged TO the
kingdom of Destruction or the king
dom of Christ. At last they entered
upon severe struggle But Christian
put his strength in God and won the
victory. Tie temptation mere deScrih-
ed refers TO an inward rather than an
outward one Bunyan PASSED through
the most dreadful mental and spiritual
temptations. far beyond what the aver
age Christian does; hence his strong
presentation of inward spiritual temp
from want Of experience. be fully IN
derstood by all Christians. Yet we
have our inward doubts and depres-
sious. Sometimes Gods prov licences
produce in US such frame of mind.
We ask why and get no definite an
swer. But God will keep us arG
strengthen us for the battle if, Ike
Christian, we put our trust in Him.
.. The valley of the Shadow of
Death. From the first valley Christian
passed into the second. Some who had
turned back urged Christian to do So
telling him of their awful experience
in the dark valley. But it was in the
way to the celestial city, so undis-
mayed he went boldly on. That some
who start on the heavenly way and
turn back should not cause Us to do so.
Fidelity unto the end is the only as
surance of eternal life. BE thou
faithful unto death and I will give
thee the crown of life" no cross. no
crown" The valley Of the Shadow of
Death was q place of awful expert
ences. The pathway was narrow and
dark. THE mouth Of he'll stood hard
by the wayside." There were flames
Of fire. fierce noises. He heard one
singing. Yea, though walk through
the valley Of the Shadow of Death
viii fear no evil for Thou art with
me-" At this he was comforted. He
T.ayed unto God IN his trouble, and
Ged delivered him. Valleys Of dark
ness beset our way. Despair seems to
settle upon US. But let US not fear.
Ged will be with US. And II God be
with US who can be against us:
BIBLE READINGS.
TX. ', 1928; Ps. xiii. 81; evil. Is:
Jer. Il, 6; Heb. Iii. 1919; Eph. vi, 1918:
Rom. Will, 1923; John ii, Sill; v, IT;
Rev. ii, 10.