Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-04-16
CHRISTIAN EHDEAVOR
Prayer Meeting Topic For Week Be-
cinnina April &c, 1919.

Prayer Meeting Topsc For Week Ee-
ginning April 20. 1919.
Tovac- - FayoFfte verses - l. In the
Psalms.--Pz XII. TIA Edited ~ Rev.
Sherman II. DoYie D. d.
In q study Of faw0r4se yegses from
~ertain 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
sorlaI affection as the Book Of Psalms.
In them are beautifully described the
innernost spiritual experiences Of
saints Of God which awaken respcn-
sive chord in the hearts Of all the fol-
lowers Of the true God. This book.
says Calvin. Il am wont TO style an
anafouy Of all parts Of the soul. for no
one will discover Ia himself single
feeling whereof the image Is not re-
nected IN this mirror. Nay, all griefs.
sorrows. fears. doubts. hopes cares.
anxleties--in short ali those tumultnous
agitzfions wherewfth the minds Of mes
are wont TO be tossed-the Holy Ghost
hath here represented In life
A book Of such a character could not
but make deep impression upon the
minds and hearts Of men and provide
all ages and classes Of men with favor
fte selections made precious By some
personal experience or association
The FIRST Psalm describes the happl-
ness Of the cody and the unhappiness
of the ungodiy and has ever been
priced as an inspiration to godlfness
and a warning against ungodliness-
Who has not studied the Psalmists' pic
ture OF the blessed man who "waiketb
not In the counsel OF the ungodly"
but whose delight Is In the
law Of the Lord and whose prosperity
and frnitfnlness are Hkened ito tree
planted by the rivers OF watersT And
who has not been deeply impressed
with the contrasting picture Of the IN
cody who are not 50. but are like the
chat which the wind driyeth away"
with the inevitable conclusion that
'the Lord knoweth the way Of the
righteous. but the way Of the ungodly
shall perish7"
The nineteenth Psalm speaks OF the
revelation Of God In nature and in His
law, and almost every verse In ii Is
favorite one. How familiar and bow
majestic the words, -sFhe heavens de-
clare the glory Of God and the frna-
ment showeth Ills, bandiwork. Day
unto day uttereth speech. and night
unto night showeth knowledge. There
Is no speech nor language, and their
voice b. 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: T'rhe
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
childhood, youth, manhood and deciin.
ing old age. THE Lord Is my shep-
herd; shall not want" All through
the singular pronoun is used-''my,"
81" "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
AZ II nor man nor angel
Lived on earth or IN heaven