Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-04-23
CHRISTIAN EIOEiVOR.
Prayer Meeting Topic FOR Week Be-

ginning AcrH 20, 1875
Topic. = Favorite verses 4 In the
Psalms.--Ps. XIX. f-14 Edited by Rev
Sherman H. Doyle, D. d.
In a study OF favorite verses from
certain books of the Bible no better
selection could possibly be made to
begin with than the Psalms. for no
other book In the Scriptures has been
regarded with as much special and per
sonal affection as the Book OF Psalms
In them are beautifully described the
innermost spiritual experiences of
saints of God which awaken respon-
sive chord in the hearts of all the fol-
lowers of the true God. This book.
saws Calvin, II am wont to style an
anatomy of all parts Of the soul. for no
one will discover in himself a single
feeling whereof the image is not re-
fiected in this mirror. Nay, all griefs,
sorrows, fears. doubts, hopes. cares.
anxieties-in short all those tumultuous
agitations wherewith the minds of men
are wont to be tossed-the Holy Ghost
hath here represented in life"
A book of such a character could not
but make a deep impression upon the
minds and hearts of men and provide
all ages and classes of men with favor
ite selections made precious by some
personal experience or association.
The first Psalm describes the happi-
ness of the cody and the unhappiness
of the ungodly and has ever been
priced as an inspiration to godliness
and a warning against ungodliness-
Who has not studied the Psalmists' pic
ture of the blessed man who ''walketh
not in the counsel of the ungodly'
but whose delight is in the
law of the Lord" and whose prosperity
and fruitfulness are likened ito a tree
planted by the rivers of watersY And
who has not been deeply impressed
with the contrasting picture of the UNI
cody who ARE not so, but are like the
chaff which the wind driveth away"
with the inevitable conclusion that
'.the Lord knoweth the way of the
righteous, but the way Of the ungodly
shall perish?"
The nineteenth Psalm speaks of the
revelation of God in nature and In His
law, and almost every verse in 1t is a
favorite one. How familiar and how
majestic the words, 'FThe heavens de-
clare the glory of God and the firma-
ment showeth His handiwork. Day
unto day uttereth speech. and night
unto night showeth knowledge. There
is no speech nor language, and their
voice is not heard The testimony Of
the universe to Gods existence and
glory is a silent one and yet no less
powerful and convincing. No nobler
words could describe God In His law
than those of the Psalmist here: "The
law of the Lord is perfect, converting
the soul; the testimony of the Lord is
sure. making wise the simple. The
statutes of the Lord are right rejoic-
ing the heart; the commandment Of the
Lord is pure. enlightening the eyes
The twenty-third Psalm is the Shep-
herd Psalm, illustrating the tender and
loving care of God for His children by
that of the shepherd for his sheep Its
verses are the favorite of all ages
cniiunoou, youlh, Hdnnoou ana ueclln
ing old age. THE Lord Is my shep-
herd; shall not want" All through
the singular pronoun is used-"my,'
II" ''me"-from the first verse to the
climax. declaring. Surely goodness
and mercy shall follow me all the days
Of my life, and | win dwell in the
house Of the Lord forever" Precious
words:
Thou art as much His care
As IL nor man nor angel
Lived on earth or In heaven.