Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-10-20
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.


not succeed in life.-Josh. 1, Ia
The story of Joshua's life Is a story
Of continued success. In his first ap-
pearance as the leader Of lsraei's army
at the battle OF Rephidim against the
Amalekites he won a signal victory.
As one Of the twelve spies sent into
Canaan. when Israel first reached Ca
naan. he, with Caleb, brought back an
honest report The majority were
against him, and his counsel was dis
regarded. But his seeming failure
was finaIly,a success, for he and Caleb
were on the Lords side. and they Of all
the original hosts Of Israel who came
out Of Egypt entered the promised
land. The mantle of Moses fell upoa
him when that great leader and law
giver died. and he was most worthy
successor Of his distinguished prede-
cessor. Canaan was conquered. The
land was peaceably divided. In good
old age Joshua died after delivering
to his fellow countrymen a most In
spring address, which has had an In
fluence upon all succeeding generations
Of his own people as well as upon
Christianity, the flower and fruit Of
Judaism.
Such success In high places is not
possible to all. But be who in any
walk of life fully meets the duties and
responsibilities that fall to his lot at
tains as great success In life in degree
II not In kind as Joshua did. Success
full lives explain the cause Of life's
failures by contrast. II all men and
women possessed the characteristics
Of Joshua and wrought into their lives
the elements that were woven into his
there would be no failures. But, alas,
In too many instances such is not the
case. The result Is that LIES pathway
Is strewn with many wrecks and fall
ures Contrasting such lives with that
Of Joshua, let us study the causes Of
these failures.
]. Joshua was a firm believer In God
and a true follower Of Gods COM
mands. God was writ large in the en-
tire life Of Joshua. Its opening at
Rephidim was mingled with an ap-
peal to God. As the successor of
Moses he had the promise Of God to
be with him, which he believed His
life work closed with an appeal to
Israel to put away idols and to serve
their God. No life is failure that
gives God His proper place in It. Ev-
cry life is a failure that does not do so.
Many keep God out OF their life. Dis
obedience to His commands explains
the vast majority Of failures. II we
would avoid failure let Us therefore
give God a still larger place both In
our inward and outward lives.
2. Joshua had capacity for thought
and labor He had mental ability and
. used 1t. He had physical endurance
and preserved It Genius has been de-
fined as 1.-The capacity for hard work."
Incessant toll has often accomplished
what to the world has seemed impos-
sible except through some special gift
or exceptional mental power. But how
many brilliant men and women have
not succeeded In life through failure
to use their splendid gifts! They have
Idly dreamed life away or wrecked 1t
through dissipation. How many pos
sessed Of physical capacity have fail
ed in accomplishing anything In life!
Thus talents have lain dormant. In
idleness or as human parasites they
have made their lives failures. If the
ingenuity and perseverance Of half the
idle buns and beggars in the world
were put into legitimate channels OF
business they would produce success.
But some may disclaim the posses
sion Of capacity. II this be entirely
20 they should become the wards of
the state and taken care Of But 1t Is
not usually 90. only an excuse for
failure to do LIES work. Moreover,
capacity increases with use. Christ
taught this fact in the parable Of the
lmastership. AZ he used that which he
possessed. Our capacity for doing
things may seem small to rs. but hav.
ing something to do and doing 1t to
the very best Of our ability will pro
duce results Of which we have never
even dared to dream.
8. Joshua had self reliance, founded
upon his reliance in Cod Self reli.
ance, confidence In ones ability to dc
things. Il . great factor In success
The absence Of It Is a great factor IN
failure. In the most critical period Of
his life the Lord said to Joshua: AS
was with Moses, 20 win be with thee
$50 Be strong and Of good courage
And Joshua was strong and cour
aeeous. He trusted In God and be
Neved in himself. Success Therefore
a. -