Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-09-25
CHRISTIAN EgDEAvOR


prayer MeeffnQ foptc ror the week
Beginning Sept %, 1912.
Topic Missionary boIdness.-Acts Nv, Is,
1881 Edited by Rev. Sherman H. Doyle.
d. d.
The early history Of the Christian
church is striking pros.i of its divine
origin, and in no particular is this
more evident than in the wonderful
change that took place In the apostles
Of Christ. At the crucifixion of Christ
they were towards and forsook Him
and fed. After Pentecost they exem-
plified holy boidness' that has been
the wonder OF the world. On the day
of Pentecost Peter, who had cringed
before the finger of an accusing maid
at the trial of Christ. denounced His
executioners as murierers and called
upon them to repent and be saved.
When a short time after Peter and
John were arrested for preaching the
gospel, instead Of being made timid
and weak by night in prison, they
proclaimed the truth with such bold
ness that the people who heard them
marveled at their freedom and out
spokenness. Such change could only
have had its origin In God.
Missionary holiness is historic. What
missionary has not been boidf 1t has
always required a courageous spirit to
go as missionary. Dangers have TO
be constantly faced. There have been
perils on land and on sea, perils to
physical health and to mental well be-
ing, perils from persecution, based
upon hatred and fanaticism of the bit
terest kind. These dangers have not
only been faced, but actually suffered
even unto death. And what mission
airy has ever faltered because Of
peril? Did Patton hesitate to face the
fierce cannibals of the New Hebridesf
Did Robert Moffat falter even when
the weapons of the hostile natives of
Africa were leyeied at him? Did the
missionaries of China ever turn back
because they were In danger of being
shot or burned to death? There Is no.
record of conspicuous eowardice IN all
missionary history; but, on the other
hand, there are innumerable instances
recorded of sublime and heroic bold
ness. Such examples of Christian her
oism should inspire Us TO stand for
'the truth as 1t is In Jesus against
all criticism and all opposition
Missionary holiness has ever been eff
fective In spreading the gospel. Cow
ards never win adherents, but bold
men secure many followers. This has
been true in NIL missionary labors. Pc
ter and John won converts by their
dauntlessness. Persecution failed. Their
enemies could not punish them be
cause OF the people, for all glorified
God for that which was done" 1t has
ever been SO. History in this respect
has been constantly repeating itself.
Paul many times faced death, but by
his boldness won those who were his
worst enemies. The courage of Rob
ert Moffat In the face Of an angry
mob, when he threw open his coat and
babe them strike, won the day for the
cause Of Christianity. All Christian
WOEh ItduiIcc uIo1c VI iecS IouAdEts
and In being bold we only insure the
success of all our labors and under
takings in the name Of Christ.
Missionary holiness has its source in
Jesus Christ Christ Himself exempt.
fed the highest type Of courage. In
the crisis of His life, when He knew
what the final outcome would be. He
"steadfastly set His face toward Jeru.
salem" This boldness Christ imparts
to His disciples.
Peter and John. fishermen. unlearned
in many respects, once timid and fear.
full, now boldly proclaimed doctrines
that were hateful to those about them
The whole explanation lay In the fact
''that they had been with Jesus" He
had called them to be His disciples, H.
had sent them upon their mission. and
He had qualified them for it by His
gift of the Holy Spirit. We may not
occupy high position or be highly edu-
Gated. yet If we speak out boldly our
humble testimony and practice what
we preach the world win know that
we have been with Jesus and will be
won to Him.