Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-04-10
CHRISTIAN ENOEAVOR
Prayer Meeting. Topic For Week Be-
oinnino April IL, 1912.

ginning April ~, f9lZ.
Toplc-EIow can we enrich our Sab
baths?-Mark kill q. Iii, lie. Edited by
Sherman II, Doyle, =. D.
How can we enrich our Sabbath?
The first three chapters of Mark pur-
pose to set before us the impression
which Jesus made upon the people Of
Galilee. They are amazed, j, 81. stag
gered by His word and works. His
whole manner of life is an enigma TO
them. They cannot understand His
conduct with regard to sinners. ii. 16,
with respect to fasting, ii. is. and the
observance of the sabbath. II, 24. He
refuses to be bound by prevailing
judgments and traditions. They had
regarded the Sabbath as an end. Je-
sus claims 1t as means. 1t was
made for man. How. then, can man
utilize it for his enrichment? That is
the question then and now. Il is not
a day of bondage; it does not Impose
letters; It Is a ministrant. a servant
If one knew how to use il. Jesus said
the Son of Aian is Lord Of the Sab
bath. Tie knew how TO use ii and
was independent of mems judgments
concerning It. The power to utilize 1t
for our enrichment is dependent upon
the wealth Of our spiritual experience
To. the degree In which we are like
Him we may command Its ministry.
First. the Sabbath has ministry of
rest and recreation. That Sabbath is
well utilized which has brought such
ministry. Life needs it and never
more than today 1t has long been
recognized that the Sabbath is a nat
ural law. It's observance Is essential
to the attainment of vigorous and
happy old age Nothing can take the
place of one days rest In seven. 1t
is needful for repairs. 1t is needful
for efficiency Rest. however. is not
an end 1t looks beyond itself 1t
spells recreation, not necessarily recre-
alton. And recreation means greater
efficiency Of life and service. Rest
and recreation do not imply idlenesS
and the cessation of all work. Jesus
reminds them that the priests wrought
In the temple. 1t is not the work that
profanes the day, but the motive.
Their work was a ministry to God.
Use the day, then. In rest and recrea-
ton as you will You are free to use
1t in ways which will conserve the
divine purpose Of fitting you for the
highest service of God and man.
Second, the Sabbath has spiritual
ministry. This Is its highest end.
Body and mind are only the organs Of
the soul The Sabbath as Christian
institution looks chiefly to the splr-
itual interests. 1t is call to worship.
to communion with God, to the cult
Walton of those elements In our char
acter and life which are unregarded
and neglected In the business of life.
Jesus advises US how to use the day
not only by that walk through the
cornfeld and the eating of the grain,
but also by his custom of constant at
tendance in the synagogue. He did
not go to get such ministries as then
prevailed. There is deeper ministry
In the sanctuary than any message
from men. Jesus found 1t. We may.
Neglect not the assembling of your
selves together. Remember that He
is In the midst
How shall we enrich our Sabbath?
BY utilizing 1t in those ways which
will make 1t enrich US in body, mind
and soul Make 1t contribute to your
whole life In accordance with the Dr.
vine intention.