Ellsworth American., 1912-01-24
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
Prayer Meeting Topic Fer the Week
Reo;nn;no Jan. %. 1912.

Beginning Jan. %, 1912.
Topic.-The foreign missionary. whose
life has most inspired neil Cor v,
H-D. Edited by Rev Sherman H. Doyle,
D. d.
The influence of one life upon anoth-
ar has always been recognized as an
important factor In the development
of human character. To this end the
lives of noble men have been fondly
cherished and have played an impor-
tant part in the inspiration Of heroic
and self sacrificing deeds. Personal
contact with great and good men has
also been a wonderful source Of In
spiration. The influence Of Socrates
made Plato great philosopher. and
thousands can testify to tho beneft re-
ceived from acquaintance with the
good and great or from a study of their
life and character. For this reason the
study of biography should prove one
of the most important to US, and In
such study we should not neglect the
lives of the worlds great missionaries,
for few lives have been more inspiring
than those which have been dedicated
to the service of Christ In distant lands
and amid conditions that called forth
heroic sacrifice and noble endeavors.
History bears abundant testimony
to the influence of men who have
hazarded their lives for Christs sake"
What life has been more inspiring
than that of Paul, the missionary to
the gentiles? 1t was an epistle of Paul
that led to the conversion of Martin
Luther and the Protestant rsforma-
ton, and Luther's commentary upon
Galatians influenced John Wesley, the
founder of Methodism. to take his
stand against the religious Journalism
and spiritual stagnation of his day.
1t was the example of Robert Moffat
that made David Livingstone the great
Missionary to darkest Africa
Henry Martyr read the story of Da-
vid Brainerd's self sacrificing labors
emeug the American Indians and con-
secratad his life to missionary service
in distant lands. No one has ever
read or studied the biographies of for
eign missionaries without receiving
some inspiration to deeper devotion
and more earnest conservation. To
do SO would be impossible. Only a
heart Of stone could read such lives as
those of William Carey. ''the conse.
Grated cobbler," Adoniram Judson,
Robert Moffatt, David Livingston, Hen.
ry Martyr. John G. Patton and hosts
Of others who have gone to heather
lands TO preach the gospel and be un.
touched and uninfuenced. We may
not be able to point to one particular
life and say that it Influenced us most,
but we can testify that consciously
and unconsciously all have had an in.
fuence for good upon u.s. We have
gloried In their achievements and have
been led by them to more earnestly
desire and to strive for the salvation
of the souls Of men.
The life of Christ is and should be
the supreme influence in our lives, and
In the noblest sense He was the worlds
greatest missionary. He left His home
In heaven to come to world In re,
bellion against God with the supreme
purpose of giving His life as a ransom
for the sin cursed world to which He
came. The lives Of many missionaries
reflect to an unusual degree the true
spirit and example of Christ, and we
may well be followers of them In SC
far as they are followers of Him.