Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-05-29
CHRISTIAN ENOEAv0R.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beqinninc June 2. 1912.


Beginning June 2, 1912.
Topic.-The Christian virtues.-vI FL
deity Rev II, l.l0. tConsecration meet
ing.) Edited by Rev Sherman IL. Doyle.
d. ID.
In the letter which Christ instructs
John to write to the church in Smyr-
ma. from which our lesson Is taken,
there are several suggestions concern
Ing the Christian virtue - fidelity
which are well worth our prayerful
and serious consideration. The very
place In which Christ exhorts to faith
tulness aptly illustrates its importance
In the Christian religion. 1t Is among
His last instructions to the church.
and last instructions are always OF
special Importance. Christ knew from
bitter experience what nnfaithfulness
meant, In the most critical expert
ence of His life His disciples proved
falthlsss, and even Peter basely de-
MED Him. On the other hand. when
he locked down from the cross and
.beheld the faithful women who had
remained true TO Him In spite or
everything He beheld the beauty OF
fidelity and crowned II with an album
dant reward by showing Himself first
OF all after His resurrection from the
dead TO these same faithful women
We are not surprised, theretose., mat
falthfulness should occupy such an
important place In His mind and that
among His last instructions TO the
church de should say. BE thou faith
full" without fidelity 1t is impossible
to please God or to truly serve Christ
l. Christ commands fidelity. Unto
the angel of the church In Smyrna
write . Be thou faithful" This
command of Christ should settle the
matter so far as the Christian church
and Christian people are concerned
1t is for Christ TO command and for
us to obey. II Is only by obedience to
His commands that we can please
Him or have a right to place among
His disciples. I've are My friends II
We do whatsoever | command you"
He commands faithfulness. and we
should therefore practice the virtue OF
40 1dlf ~ W. ~ 10 W ACAA Shh
our right to discipleship; 1t is to make
ourselves unworthy of place In His
affections and in His kingdom.
2 Christ commands fidelity in the
midst of adversities. The Christians
of Smyrna were troubled. They were
poor and were being prosecuted by bit
ter enemies But Notwithstanding all
these things Christ commanded them
to be faithful. Fidelity is not for days
of sunshine and prosperity alone. The
real test comes on the days of dark
ness and adversely. II the twelve
spies had agreed the faithfulness OF
Caleb and Joshua would have had no
special significance, but Ii was when
the two stood firm against the ten
faithless spies and the ciamorings Of
the people that their fdelity was seen
in its true character 1t was easy to
be faithful 10 Christ on the day of the
triumphal entry. but how different on
the day of the crucihxion. 1t Is the
day of adversely that tests fidelity, and
If we are not faithful In trouble, in
tribulation. ia poverty and in persecu-
ton we are all false and there is no
fidelity in us,
3. Christ commands continued fidel-
ity. BE thou faithful unto death"
Christian faithfulness Is not TO endure
for day. but for all days. Incon-
slant faithfulness is faithlessness. II
is only the faithfulness unto death
that counts or wins the crown. He
who puts his hand to the pillow and
even looks back is not fit for the king
dom of heaven. His very look indi-
Gates faifhlessness of heart. and las a
man thinketh in his heart so is he
4 Christ promises TO reward ddel-
ity. BE thou faithful unto death and
] win give thee crown Of life" Christ
is faithful to all His promises, and He
will be to this one. And what a re-
ward-eternal life MS crown for
faithfulness. What are the trials OF
this life when compared 10 such a
crown? In view of this promise we
ike Paul. should keep the faith and
for us as for him there will be laid NJ
crown OF life and of righteousness
The Lord hath promised it. and He viii
fulfill it.