Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-11-03
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Msetins Topic For the Week
Beginning fSov, 7. 1909.


Prayer Msetins Topic For the Week
Beginning fscv. Z, 1909.
Topic--Life lessons for me from the
book Of Hebrews.-Heb. Hi. III. (Conse-
grafton meeting.)
The book of Hebrews Is one Of the
most important books of the New Tes-
lament The author Is unknown. but
the character of the book proves that
IT is divinely inspired. The purpose
Of the book explains its importance.
1t was written to the Jews Of apostolic
days to prove the superiority Of Chris
tianity over Judaism and therefore to
persuade them to accept Christ as the
Messiah. The writer is most forcible
In his logic, and his words should have
and probably did have great influence
In winning many Hebrews to accept
Christ and Christianity. Hebrews Is
the only book Of the Bible that COM
pares the old Jewish religion with
Christianity. The result attained Is
most satisfactory. Any one who de
sires to have proper conception Of
the Old Testament rites and ceremo-
mics that were done away with at
Christ's coming and death can find no
better place to obtain this information
than In Hebrews. It is an easily read
book and should be read at one sitting
by every Christian Endeavorer In con-
nection with this meeting.
In building up his argument the au-
thor declares Christ to be the Sen OF
God and then proceeds to show the
superiority Of Christ and His works
over angels and the leaders Of Israel
and the works Of the Old Covenant,
under which their ancestors lived. The
book naturally divides itself, therefore.
along these lines:
j. The superiority OF Christ over the
prophets tchapter 1. 1-S). :.
2. The superiority Of Christ over an
gels Chapters l. 4; II, 80.
8. The superiority of Christ over
Moses chapters Ill, 1; iv, 49,.
A. The superiority Of Christ and His
priesthood over Aaron and the Aaronic
priesthood chapters ", IA; <. 39).
8. Practical exhortations chapters
d-xiiD.
This clear arrangement Of Hebrews
shows how easily it may be read and
adds greatly to its value.
The great lesson to be learned from
the book Of Hebrews is still the one
that the author intended to teach
namely. the superiority of Christ over
every other founder Of religion In
that He was the Son Of God and the
superiority Of Christianity over every
other religion that the world has
known. These truths have been i'm
portant In all the Christian centuries
and are still SO today. There are still
those who accept the leadership and
beliefs and teachings Of men rather
than those of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the eternal and only begotten Son Of
God But as for us-we should stand
firmly for Christ and the truths which
He as the Son Of God has revealed
unto us.
No new theology" no SO called
new religion" will ever replace the
teachings OF Christ or the religion
which He founded. He Himself has
declared that so far as His church is
concerned ''the gates Of hell shall not
prevail against it.. and If the power
Of hell cannot conquer 1t we need have
no fears from the feeble attempts of
men to do so. The deity of Christ
has been fully established. The fnspi-
ration OF the Bible cannot be success
fully denied. The supreme place of
the cross in the salvation of the human
soul has been fully attested. The doc
trine of the atonemeut will never be
surrendered. for too many have expert
enced salvation through the atoning
blood of Christ ever to give it up. The
progress of Christianity and Of the
Christian church both at home and
abroad was never more real and sub
stantial
The topical reference suggests other
Individual lessons, such as ~ inspi-
ration to faith by the accomplishment
Of others by faith. g, that we should
look upon Christ as our example In
running the race Of the Christian life
and 81, further, In the endurance Of
suffering, that we may obtain the Joy
that Is set before us.
BIELE READINGS.
Heb. i. 1-3, 4-14: II. 10: iii. lis; Nv.
14-16; X. lbs. $3.50; xl As, s. g. 23-20: