Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-01-12
CHRISTIAN ENpEAvoR.

C1niS tiAV ENgEHvOns
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning Jan. Is. 1910.
Topic.-Candles under bushels. Matt. '.
N-l& Comment by Rev. Sherman H
Doyle. D. d.
The topical inference ID q paragraph
from the Sermon on the Mount. In the
preceding part of this sermon Christ
has In what are commonly called '.ths
neatitudes" described the characteris-
klcs OF those who are members Of the
Kingdom Of heaven. here meaning His
spiritual kindom upon earth. In the
paragraph before us He briefly. but
most comprehensively. describes the
relation Of the members Of His king
dom to the outside world under the
two figures Of salt and light The fg-
me Of salt Illustrates that His king
dom II to purify and preserve the
world. But II the salt loses its -
vor It b good for nothing and -
cast out and trodden under foot Of
men. In the east salt does lose its
saltiness by exposure and by adultera.
ton by mixing with other foreign sub
stances and Il then worse than worth
less So the church without the quail
1cation described in thy beatitudes
can accomplish nothing 90 far as puri-
tying and preserving the world are con-
cerped. If it be Christless It will drive
the world from Christ rather than to
Him.
The second figure, that Of light II
more pertinent to the subject suggest
ed. The spiritual kingdom, or, rather
its members. are 1.-THE light Of the
world. Men do not light candle
rlampl and put it under bushel Ian
eastern measure holding about peck].
but on the stand lamp standl. and 1t
giveth light to all that are In the
house. Therefore let your light 80
shine before men that they may see
your good works and glorify your Fa-
Their, which is In heaven"
Candles or lamps under bushels!
What supreme folly! Why light .
lamp to put 1t under bushel? The
bushel would but hide its light and
therefore waste the oil that was b.
ing burned. Why should the disciples
Of Christ. therefore, try to hide the
Hight Of their cody lives and good
works? Who thus would be led to
God? No one. for light. to lead. must
BE- seen. A covered lighthouse In time
Of storm would save no shipwrecked
vessel. Nor do men act 70 foolishly In
earthly matters. Lighthouse keepers
see that their lights are shining their
best in the midst Of q storm They de-
sire above all things to turn approach
in9 vessels from the roc nd shoals
and direct them to safe = or. Yet
many Christians put their candles un-
der bushels. Some do % because Of Z
false modesty. They may well keep
the Hight from shining upon them. but
never fear to let 1t shine to the glory
Of God. Others may have some doubts
and are afraid to speak out and act
cut for God. Others still have q mis-
understanding of Christ's words. LET
not thy right hand know what thy left
hand doeth." In this instance Christ
was warning them against the selfish
display Of the Pharisees. but to ascribe
our good works to Gods grace and to
Let them shine for Him IL duty and
not deception. Let your light shine
to the glory Of God.
BIBLE READINGa
Pa. XVI. IA; Ps. evil. l-8; lisa. III.
ITO; Jonah /, lit; John l. is; Amos
Vi, 1-6; John KID. II. IS; Matt. XVI,
67-75; Kings xix. 1-8; II Chron. xvi
Ito