Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-02-10
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning Feb. IA, 1909.

Beginning Feb. IA, 1909.
BY REV. S. H. DOYLE.
Topic.-Life lessons from the book OF
Job-xlii, 1-6. 10-17. Conservation meet
hg.)
The book Of Job is undoubtedly a
philosophical discussion Of the problem
If human suffering. Dealing with such
. subject, one that touches the life of
every human being. 1t has been great
" read and has brought comfort and
ronsolation to millions of those who
ruffer trial and affection. To many
this book seems to be solution of the
question discussed, and it is, but not
In the way that many suppose. The
keynote of the solution of the ques-
ton can only be found in the words Of
Elihu, "who by searching can find out
God" In other words. 1t is inferred
that no man by searching can find out
God, the purpose of His providence,
and therefore the practical conclusion
not to search for the reason of Gods
purposes. but to trust Him in spite of
our inability to understand Him. Cow
per beautifully puts it:
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind frowning Providence
He hides smiling face.
This is a great life lesson from the
book Of Job. which if well learned will
save us many a pang and sorrow.
Gods ways are not our ways" but
they are all for our good, though we
cannot see the good now. Instead of
asking, why does God do this?" let
us say, with the Master, Nevertheless
Thy will, not mine, be DONE" and COM
plete submission to Gods will bring
peace and comfort of mind and soul.
The arrangement and development
of the plan of this book are most ad-
mirable and increase interest in it.
It is largely in the form Of a dialogue,
which is always interesting. 1t has
been divided as to its contents as fol-
lows:
Introductory historical section, chap
tiers /. ii.
Dialogues between Job and his three
friends, chapters iii-xxxi
Address of Elihu, chapters xxi to
xxxvii.
Discourse of Jehovah. chapters
xxxyiii-xli.
Short speech of Job. xiii, 1-G
Concluding historical section, Kill,
ZIG.
The story as thus developed is a re-
markable one and places the book OF
Job simply as literature among the
greatest books ever written. Job is
greatly afflicted Of God. Three friends
come to comfort him, but they are
poor comforters. Instead of admins
tering comfort they add TO his sorrow
by charging him with having sinned
against God, else He would not have
afflicted him. This was according to
the old Jewish doctrine that God dis
pleasure was sign of gdoing,
But Job protested that he was right,
,eous before God. The charges were
general at first, then more specific and
finally direct that he sinned In that he
upheld his own righteousness and in
30 doing charged God with injustice
seward him. Then Elihu broke into
the controversy and was indignant at
Job because he justified himself
rather than COD and at the three
friends because they could not answer
Job. The Lord then spoke, and Job at
In 80 persistently upholding his own
righteousness, which did injustice to
God. He repented and humbled him
self, crying out, II abhor myself and
repent In dust and ashes.' Then Gods
mercy was exercised; Job was for
he had lost. and after this lived Job
a hundred and forty years and saw
his sons and his sons sons, even four
generations. And SO Job died, being
old and full of days. And what
great lesson we have in this closing
scene! Not through boasting or pride
are Gods blessing and mercy received,
but through repentance and humility.
He that exalteth himself shan be
abased. but who so humbleth himself
shall be exalted"
BIBLE READINGS.
Ps. II, II: xiii, 1-6; Nxi, rs;
xxxvii, 10; lisa. ", 10; Matt. Il, $3.50;
Elk. xxi, 26; Luke XIV, 11-24; Rom. viii,
IS; Rev ii. 10.
King Haakon and Christian Endeavor.
DIR. Clark, the father of Christian
Endeavor, cabled from Christiania,
Norway, that he has been granted an