Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-03-27
CHRISTIAN ENOEAVOR
Prayer Meeting Topic For Week Be-
cinninn March 81. 1912


Toplc.-rhe foreign missions OF my de-
nomination. q birdseye yiew.--Matt xviii,
1870 Edited by Sherman II. Doyle. ID. ID.
Our obligation to Christ to obey this
command, go ye, therefore, and teach
all nations, baptlzing them in the
name of the Father AID of the Son
and Of the Holy Ghost should make
us deeply interested to know what is
being accomplished What most of us
do in foreign mission work we do
through our denomination. We do not
60 ourselves. Many of us cannot go.
We give cur money that others may
be sent and supported. But If we try
to meet our obligation In that way
with any proper realization Of our re-
sponslbility we will not be content
merely to make our contribution.
Our obligation to those in darkness
should stimulate us to seek to be in
formed Jesus is Gods gift to lost
world. God SO loved the world"
They have as good a right to Him as
we. 1t is as though we should find
q purse filed with money and with
the owners name inside 1t would
not be enough to forward 1t. We
ought not to be content until we re-
ceive information that it has reached
the owners hands.
Then we have an obligation to pray.
Missionaries desire our prayers. Je-
sus tells US to pray to 1.-The Lord of
the harvest, that he will send forth
laborers into his harvest" (Matthew
TX, 3S.) But it is only as we lift up
our eyes and look on the fields and
see how they are white already to
harvest" and realize that "the harvest
truly is plenteous, but the laborers are
few that we will have either the dis
position or ability to pray.
That we may become acquainted
with the foreign mission work of our
denomination in such a way as to ap-
preciate the sacrifices made and the
real influence of the missionaries on
the field we need to seek general In
formation as to the conditions and Gus
toms in the different countries in
which our denomination has become
actively interested. This can be ac-
complished in mission study classes
and by reading everything that will
give information as to the people and
customs in the lands occupied.
Reading the lives Of missionaries is
exceedingly helpful. Probably nothing
is more effective in awakening inter-
est and giving a clear and definite con-
ception of mission work and in slim
ulating to earnest prayer than an &C.
Quaintance with the biographies Of
those who have gone forth in obedience
to the great commission. Vivid pic
lures are impressed upon us which
cannot entirely fade away. Such books
enlarge our vision and warm our heart,
making US stronger men and women
for the work at home.
Our UNCONVENTIONAL missionary lit
erature should be faithfully and pray
erfully read. Every home should have
on the table such UNCONVENTIONAL pub
LEGATIONS as will build up and maintain
interest in the different foreign mis-
sion fields, and these magazines or pa
pers should be read and the interest
ing items should be talked over in the
family circle. The advantages of such
an acquaintance with the foreign mis-
sions of our denomination will appear
in more earnest prayer, more liberal
giving and real interest and enjoy
ment in a line Of reading and study
that was never before appreciated