Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-10-25
CHRISTIAN EnDElvOR
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
6eoinnino Oct, 20, 1911.

Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning Oct. 20, 1911.
Topic "A missionary journey around the
world ". Missions in Europe.-Acts xvi
Sis Edited by Rev, Sherman H. Doyle.
D. D.
The Introduction of Christianity into
Europe is Of vital interest to us for
the reason that IT was the final step
In missions that assured Christianity
to our forefathers and through them
to us. 1t is of Importance also because
Europe became the first distinctive
Christian continent Of the world and
demonstrated what Christianity can do
for nations and races as well as in
dividuals. Through Europe. Christian
fly CAME to America, and from Europe
and America have gone forth the mis-
sionaries Of modern times to evangel-
lie the world. Thus we can see even
In this brief glance at several fmpor-
tant facts what momentous issues
were involved when Paul. the apostle
to the gentiles. obeyed the divine call
to preach the gospel in Europe in an
swer to the prayer Of the Macedonian.
"Come over into Macedonia and help
u.s."
The early history Of Christianity in
Europe is the history of the great
movement by which the strategic cen
ter of missionary activity was trans
ferred from Antioch. In Syria. to Rome.
The leaders of the new religious move
ment were divinely led to select the
most strategic points from which to
propagate their beliefs. Jerusalem
was naturally the first center, because
the gospel was first preached to the
Jews. But Jerusalem was inadequate
for gentle activity, and the movement
was transferred to Antioch, great.
thriving gentle city. As the move
ment spread Antioch became INSULT
cient, and gradually the center Of
Christian activity was removed TO
Rome. the capital of the Roman en-
pire. which was then practically syn
onymous with the world. From Rome
their Zine went out through all the
earth and their words unto the end of
the world" Paul did not found the
Christian church at Rome. although he
had much to do with the development
Of the church in the imperial city.
1t is not known for q certainty that
Peter ever even visited Rome. The
human founder is unknown, but the
hand Of God is clearly seen, and the
purpose which He had In view is
clearly understood. From Rome as
center, the world was to be evan
gelized, and before three centuries had
passed away Constantine, the Roman
emperor. had recognized Christianity
as the religion Of the empire. The
history of these great movements
reads like fiction, but nothing is i'm
possible with God. 1t is this fact that
Is the basis Of our belief that the
modern world will be won for Christ.
The work of evangelizing Europe
after the Christianization Of the Ro-
man empire went steadily forward
Missionaries from Asia Minor visited
the people along the Danube river
and first preached the gospel In Ger
many. But it was contact with Rome
that led the German races into the
Christian fold. Roman missionaries
carried the glad tidings to Spain and
to England. Charlemagne completed
the work among the Franks. Thus
all Europe was won and became the
seat Of the vast struggles by which
the creeds Of Christendom were de-
veloped and the various divisions of
the Christian church as they exist to-
day were determined. It Is mighty
story, and all the while God was I'M
folding His plans and purposes and
preparing for the great modern move
ment for worldwide evangelization.
In this great movement we may have
part, and the recollection Of the
great deeds Of the past should inspire
us with new zeal and energy In all
our missionary interests and activity.