Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-05-31
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning June 4, 1911.

Prayer Meeting Topic For the wset
Beginning June 4, 1911.
Topic-Lessons from great lives.-yI
Samuel sam. XIII lie, 1875 (Consecra.
ton meeting) Edited by Rev. Sherman
H Doyle, d. ID.
Samuel was the son of Elkanah and
Hannah. Before his birth he was
dedicated to the Office of Nazarite,
and when he was young child he
was placed in the temple and minis
tered unto the Lord before ELL" who
was the high priest 1t was here that
God called him to the prophetic Office.
About twenty years later the Israel
ties. under Samuel, subdued the Phil
istines, and as a result the prophet
also became the judge. "and Samuel
Judged Israel all the days of his life"
During these years Israel had peace
with the surrounding nations. and
Samuel's life was spent in the devel-
ppment Of new religious and patriotic
ideals among the people. When Sam
.uel was an old man the people de-
handed a king. and God granted their
request. They chose Saul. who was
afterward rejected by God. and Sam
uel anointed David In his place and
became his spiritual instructor. Sam
uel lived throughout eighteen years Of
the reign of Saul and died IN extreme
old age. His life was long and use
full one both to his nation and to the
world. Noble in character and In
deed, his life teaches many lessons
that should be an inspiration to all
who desire to consecrate their lives to
God and to their fellow men
/. Samuel's life was associated with
prayer. He was the son of praying
parents and was himself child of
prayer. His name means heard OF
God" 1.-THE mother names. the father
assents, God approves and time con-
firms the nomination" Prayer per
vaded the life Of Samuel in all its re
lations. A praying mother was one OF
the greatest blessings that God be-
slowed upon him or can bestow upon
any child. There is deathless po-
tency in a mothers prayers and tears
for those whom she has borne which
only God can estimate" And Samuel
profted by his mothers prayers.
Through Der influence and example he
learned the blessings and power Of
prayer. Prayer was the weapon that
b used In his only military enter
prise. When the Philistines came up
against Israel he offered up sacrifices
and "cried unto the Lord for Israel.
and the Lord heard him" and discom-
lted Israel's enemies. In all the back
sndings Of the people he never ceased
b pray for them. and his peculiar VIZ
tue was believed to reside In his In
tercession. Let us. like Samuel. 1--we
close to God through prayer.
2. Samuers life was characterized
BY piety. In his childhood be was con-
secrated to God and brought up in the
service Of the Lord. and when a young
man God called him to more definite
and specific service. Samuel heard the
call and voluntarily conserated his
life to God Early religious training
led to the remembering Of his Creator
In the days of his youth. And the life
Of Samuel thus dedicated to God was
tgnally marked by continued piety and
eaithfulness. II was not limited serv-
Ice that he offered to God, but con-
hnual one, and hence we find that
when he had come to old age piety was
still the chief Characteristic Of his life.
Il am old and gray" he says. 'and l
have walked before you from my
childhood unto this day" And In all
this walk they could find no instance
In which he had been faithless. Youth
ful piety has direct tendency to pro-
long life by producing healthful viz
tues and assures US one Of the most
desirable Of blessings-a happy and
honored old age. Let us therefore
consecrate ourselves to God In the days
Of our youth and render unto Him
lifelong service Of pious endeavor.
g. Samuel lived fearless and faith
eul public life He was deeply Inter
sisted in all the affairs Of his people.
He feared not to speak boldly to king
or nation, and yet in all he was faith
eul to God and faithful to the best IN
terests of the people. What a testi-
mony to fidelity is the verdict Of the
people. Thou hast not defrauded US
nor oppressed US. neither hast thou
taken aught Of any mans hand"
Every Christian interested in public
affairs may well take Samuel as his
example.