The Washington times., 1913-04-12

The United Society of Christian En-
deavor, in outlining the treatment for
this weeks prayer meeting topic. has
construed the subject to involve the
important points OF the Christian En-
deavor pledge: and for the most part
We will pursue like treatment in the
article to follow.
The very first word Of the pledge, 'I.''
seems to involve personal responsibility.
In the expression II Can Do" there can
be no shifting of the burdens or privi-
leges of the Christian life to other
shoulders. II. the Christian fails in at.
tanning the ultima of his hopes and
aims he is not In a sposition to say that
one of his fellows failed and that there
fore he may be excused. The Christian
Endeavorer pledge the Endeavorer says
II promise Him that will strive to do
whatever He would like to have me
do" and In our topic the Christian as
serts II can do all things" One can
not escape the tremendous import OF
the first words Of the promise and as
sertion above given. There can be no
evasion of the responsibility. 1t Is up
TO" the man who takes the pledge to
with the help Of God.
Neither does the second word OF the
topic lessen the tremendous earnestness
of the Christians promise. He says
ct can do all things''-not "I possibly
NAV do" nor 'if I can do" nor IF
everything goes right I will do" but
in the topic the Christian says Il
can do" There is a note Of finality
that is worthy of a Christians best
thought and earnest prayer for guild
ance.
The Apostle Paul was a great be-
lever not only in hearing. but In doing.
In his epistle to James ne says ps !.
And then in the topic the Christian
takes up the gauntlet thrown down by
the great missionary leader. Paul, ana
SAYS, not 'T can hear" or Il can ley
other people perform" but Il can DO!
Are there any limits to which the
Christian with the strength Of the In
finite One added to his own cannot at
tain? May he accomplish only within
a limited sphere? Shall he be circum-
.scribed by the goals Of fine possibility!
No, because Paul says, and his Is a a
fair assertion for every Christian. II
can do all things" There Is no goal.
no limit. when to finite willingness is
added infinite power. The Christian
trusts and tries; then God takes hold.
and things are done. Indeed, all Chris
tians like Paul "can do all things"
But there Is a little phrase that IL not
added to our topic, which Is SO vital as
to be of the greatest importance. In
deed. we cannot leave this phrase out
without crippling the message Of our
topic. In fact. II IL more important
than that portion Of the topic which Is
quoted above. Let us put 1t all down
here: 81 can do all things through
Him that strengtheneth me-" There Is
the secret, after all. Not that the
Christian. a mere finite being. can do
all things of his own volition ana
strength, but by the grace Of God
which strengtheneth him. he Is able.
like Paul, to do all things"
But we have the same idea also def
nitely and prominently brought out In
the very first clause Of the Christian
Endeavor pledge. Trusting In the Lord
Jesus Christ for strength, l promise
Him." etc. We cannot escape the
everyday need for the strength Of the
Master. Without II, even those who
profess His name could do but little in
this world OF ours.
Let us now consider some IF the
things that the Christian Endeavorer,
or indeed any follower of the Nazarene.
may be able to do through Him that
strcngtheneth."
First. the Endeavorer promises II will
strive to do whatever He would Ike to
have me do" What a sweeping prom
Use. How IT rings true like Pau"s Il
can do all things" One would almost
imagine that the first promise OF the