The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-09-10
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
1eain7in Sept. II, 1910.

Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning Sept. II, 1910.
Topic.--Proud-of what?-Jer. TX. 3. -:
Cor. 1. 1874: ROM xii. 3. Edited by
Rev. Sherman II. Doyle. u. d.
The Bible has great deal to say
about pride-our undue self esteem.
personal exaltation and u feeling Of su-
reriority over others-which leads to a
haughtiness and a loneliness over others
that are contemplate and despicable.
No Christian Endeavorer should ever
possess such spirit, for it is one Of the
most conspicuous Of faults and at the
same time one Of the most unconscious
after it has been allowed TO fully de-
velop itself in us.
There are many things in life Of
which men are proud that. instead of
showing them to possess noble spir-
1t, only prove that they are unworthy.
Jeremiah quotes the Lord as saying.
LET not the wise man glory in his
wisdom. neither let the mighty man
glory In his might; let not the rich man
glory in his riches" And yet how
many are proud Of these very things
wisdom, power and riches! But why
should they be? Why should wise
man be proud? He inherits his wis
dom or the ability to accumulate wis
dom, so why should he be proud of
what cost him little or nothing? More
over. in comparison with God, who
alone is all wise, their wisdom is fool
ishness, and 'the foolishness of God is
wiser than men." says the apostle.
The heather nations, declares the
apostle, thinking themselves to be
wise. became FOOLS Thinking them
selves wise. they forgot God. to whom
they should have. glorified God, and
thereby they became fools.
Why should men be proud Of their
physical strength? They should not.
answers the apostle, because 1.-The
weakness Of God is stronger than
men," How uncertain physical
strength is! Who gave it to man but
God, SO why should the strong man
~ strong develops great strength
shortens his days-certainly a poor
cause for pride.
Why should the rich be proud Of
their riches? Much Of it IL inherited
from others and is no sign Of any un-
usual talent possessed by the heirs.
Moreover. when personally acquired
there is no room for pride. Nothing Is
more uncertain than riches. They ny
from us. or we die and leave them. The
rich fool in the parable Of Christ said
Soul, thou hast much good laid up for
many years." but the Lord said: This
night thy soul shall be required Of
thee. Then whose shall these things
Beg What contrast between many
years" and this night But how Of
ten history has repeated itself in this
respect. Men toll and labor to lay up
well. negiecting God and the higher
aims of life. Gold is their God. When
they have enough they expect to give
up business. become religious and live
comfortably for many years. But who
ever gets enough and II here and
there man does and settles down
how long does he live to enjoy it? The
least thing in all the world Of which to
be proud is money. aud yet here it
most exists. aud the rich are proud
and naughty and use their money to
trample underfoot the poor.
Why should men be proud of their
birth: Yet how many are. They ma,
have lost fortune ana everything else
but high birth. and yet how naughty
and proud they remain. 1t is0 bad
enough to be poor in this world. but TO
be poor and proud is about the limit
Why should men be proud OF their
personal morality: Yet many are
They are so strictly good that they
have no need Of repentance or OF
Christ to save them. They expect to
be saved on their own merits. but
there .-is no other name under heaven
given TO men whereby we must be
saved" except the name Of Jesus.
II we should not be proud OF our pos
sessions or talents. what should We
do: Thank God In deep humility for
the extra bliss which all men do not
possess. Glorify God and the cruel
fed Saviour. God forbid THAT should
glory save in Christ and Him cruci6ed-
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