Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-05-04
CHRISTIAN EADEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
BEGINNING May s, 1910.

Inc WORD grace - uSeu III seNeidi
senses in the gospel. First and fore
most it is the free and unmerited IA
vor of God. as when Paul says in
Eph ii, s, by grace are We saved,
through faith, and that not Of your
selves; it is the gift of God" In the
second place, grace is used to des-
ignate an adjoining attribute of the
Christian life, such as faith, hope and
love, with the number of other virtues
that should characterize the true
Christian character. In this sense the
apostle Peter uses it when be says
"Grow In grace" or in the Christian
graces Oh Pet Ill, 1S). 1t 10 in this
sense that we are to study Of grace
that is, as 1t applies to the qualities Of
Christian character and is designated
BY our subject. The Christian Graces-"
In the topical references we have In
functions concerning certain Christian
graces by the two greatest Of apostles.
Peter and Paul Let us therefore con-
slider these exhortations and heed
them.
The apostle Peter speaks Of certain
Christian graces from the angle Of the
coming OF Christ. Like the other
apostle, Peter looked for a speedy re-
turn Of the Master. This was an error
20 far as Christ's second coming was
concerned. .The end Of all things is
at hand" he declared and emphasized
the virtues appropriate to such a con-
dition. But 1t was not for Peter ito
know the times and seasons" nor Is 1t
for us, but we do know that our time
Is short and, above all, uncertain.
These graces, therefore, should be a
constant possession. They should at
all times be part Of our lives. From
this standpoint he first emphasized the
grace Of soberness or self restraint
BE We therefore sober" Hold your
selves In self restraint. The Thessa-
lonian Christians had become greatly
excited over the thought Of Christ's
coming, had neglected their work and
become idlers, and many others when
He did not come disbelieved and gave
free reign to their passions and appe-
tites.
The thought Of our short and uncer-
tain time In this life should guard us
against each one of these extreme er-
rors. 1t should inspire US to soberness
Of thought and life at all times. We
should quietly live our lives, no mat.
ter when the time Is at hand, and
should avoid sin and its excuses. This
soberness should be unto prayer or as
ISOLATED with prayer. BE sober unto
prayers' Is the better translation Of
this part Of the apostles Injunction.
eoberness, self restraint, receive their
strength from God, and he who real.
ties the seriousness Of life from the
standpoint Of eternity viii spend much
time In prayer. Peter also enjoins hos
pitality and charity or intense love.
which will cover multitude Of sins
not ours, but the sins Of others. He who
intensely loves another viii shield his
weaknesses rather than parade them.
Again, the gifts or graces bestowed
upon us by the Spirit, who is the d.
vine source Of Christian graces, should
be impaired to others. Let US remem.
Der that the time Is short, that the end
may be near at hand, and practice the
graces and virtues that viii best be.
come Us when the hour Of our depar-
ture does arrive.
Paul speaks Of Christian grace In
only one relation, that Of speech, LET
your speech be always with grace
seasoned with salt, that ye may know
how ye ought to answer every man.
Grace in speech means graciousness
Winsomeness. Salt Is pungent, but II
words of grace are seasoned with salt
the speech Is sweetened. 1t Is the only
method Of speech to impress the non
Christian. "a soft answer turneth
away wrath" and kindly spoken, gra.
cious words win men for Christ, and
che that winneth souls Is WISE"
BIBLE READINGS.
Matt. v, 1-16; vi, IA; Cor. Kill, Is,
10; Eph. Ii, 1-S; Mum. xii, 8; Col. Ill, IA
Phil. Nv, 8, 9; John iii, SO; Pet. iii, 49,
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