Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-06-28
CHRISTIAN ENDsAvOR
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
aeoinniac july 2. 1911.

Prayer meeting IopIc roF tne WINK
Beginning July 2, 1911.
ropic.-ways Of serving our nation
Est iv, liz. "a patriotic conservation
meeting) Edited by Rev. Sherman H.
Doyle. D. D.
One hundred and thirty-fve years
ago today resolution declaring that
the American colonies are and Of a
right ought to be free and Independent
states was adopted by the Continental
congress. Two days later. or on July
4. 1776, the formal Declaration Of In
dependence was adopted by unani-
NOUS vote. John Adams believed that
July would be observed as the ami
versary Of the declaration OF American
Independence, but instead July has
become our great national holiday. 1t
Is the birthday Of the nation and
should ever inspire US with the true
spirit Of patriotism.
The true patriot win always be will
ing to serve his country. Where the
love Of country exists there will al
ways be a desire to advance the best
interests Of the country at whatever
risk or cost. The founders Of our ma
ton counted the cost. but so great was
their patriotic devotion that they were
willing to pay IT, If necessary, to es-
tablish here free and independent
nation. The demand upon the beauti-
full Queen Esther that she risk her life
In behalf of her people must have
been a severe test of her love for them.
Life could not but have been dear to
her. She had everything to make 1t
precious and worth keeping If she could
honorably do so. She gave the mat
ter serious consideration and finally
decided to lose sight Of self in the In
terest Of her kindred and race. And.
having come to this conclusion. she
acted upon It. She risked her own
life to save the life Of her nation and
thereby saved both. In this act we
have an example of ideal patriotism.
It is undoubtedly such love of coun-
try that will lead US to sacrifice per-
sonal interest for the good Of the ma
ton. Selflshness has no place In true
pa triotism-
As suggestive Of ways Of serving our
nation let us consider:
1. Piety and patriotism. To serve our
nation we must exalt religion and do
alf In our power by example and pre-
cept to make morality and righteous
ness parts Of our national life. Piety
and patriotism must always 60 hand In
hand. Love to God Ii the best and
truest Inspiration to love to our fellow
men. National morality is as neces-
sary as individual morality. Right
eousness exalteth a nation, but sin Is
reproach to any people" In our land
we face many serious problems that
can only be solved by the application
Of the principles Of religion. The ques-
tons Of political corruption, of the liq-
nor traffic, Of Sabbath dissertation and
many others of equal Importance will
never be solved satisfactorily until they
are settled as God would have them
settled Everything that tends to ap-
ply the principles of religion to our ma
uonal life will prove blessing to the
nation. In exalting religion therefore
we will serve the nation.
2. Prayer and patriotism. God is the
God Of nations as well as Of individuals.
He raiseth up one nation and bringeth
down another. In His hands are the
destinies Of all people. The name OF
God is not contained in the book of
Esther, but His providential care of
His people is written upon every page
The people tasted and prayed in their
great desire for national deliverance,
and God heard them. We should daily
commend our nation to God In prayer.
In no other way can we better serve
the nation than by interceding for
Gods favor upon our rulers. our insti-
tutions, our churches and our people
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem"