Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-05
TOPIC
Christian Endeavor Fidelity
and Force.-Matt., 2J.3l- IS.
By Harvey S. Irwin.


What constitutes the strength of
Christian Endeavor? Fidelity to its
pledge.
What constitutes the JOY of Christian
Endeavor? Fidelity to the teachings
of Him who is the impersonation of
glad tidings."
How can we make Christian En-
deavor forceful? BY fidelity to the
principles of Christian life and service
it was organized to promote.
Fidelity in its very nature is a ire
mendous element of force. Fidelity
is Gods standard and it is the one
thing needful." said J. Douglas Adam:
and Margaret f. Sangster said. God
asks of us not success, but fidelity. Re-
suits are His business. ours is to do
His will
What asks our Father Of His children save
Justice aud mercy and humility.
A reasonable service Of good deeds.
Pure living. tenderness human needs,
Reverence and trust and prayer for light to see
The Masters footprints in our daily ways:
No knotted scourge nor sacrificial knife.
But the calm beauty of an ordered life
Whose every breathing is unworded praise. "
Basis of Fidelity.
Unless we possess the virtue of fdel-
ity We cannot do justice, show mercy
and render reasonable service of
good deeds. Faithfulness is essential
in the achievement of every good and
worthy purpose.
The basis of fidelity is good faith.
and it means the careful and exact
observance of duty. or performance
of obligations imposed in domestic.
social, business, official and religious
life.
Christian Endeavor fidelity and force,
in the wording of our topic. has prn-
cipal reference to the religious work
for the upbuilding and advancement
of the society: but there cannot be re-
suit in this line unless Endeavorers
are faithful in the personal, social and
lessness in anything cripples force and
lessons results.
Christian k.ndeavor fidelity consists
in the individual fidelity of the mem
Lers.
The only soul of an organization is
the composite of the souls of those
who constitute the organization.
Christian Endeavor force is the ag-
members.
Type of Fidelity.
Christ is ever and always the force
behind Christian Endeavor. The ex-
tent of conscientious endeavor is the
measure of our fidelity
The dog is a type of fidelity: but
the greatest faithfulness of a dog is
by nature, while the greatest fidelity
of man is by grace. 1t is written that
the "carnal mind is enmity against
God" and that in the natural man
the heart is deceitful above all things
and desperately wicked. In a con-
dition of enmity against God. the nat
ural heart unchanged cannot exem-
plify the virtue of fidelity in any high
degree.
There is a natural fidelity. such as
being true to friends and to convic-
lions. often displayed by those who
are Indifferent to Christ and even by
those who have never heard of Christ.
All instances of adherence to convic-
ton, conformity to fact. truthfulneSs
and accuracy of statement allegiance
and devotion to principle are not only
praiseworthy but ennobling to human
ity. yet they come short of the highest
ideal unless prompted by a sense of
divine obligation.
Fidelity to ourselves and to mankind
is great thing. but fidelity to God is
a far greater matter. 1t is not simply
adherence to principle. but adherence
to a right principle that counts.
Fidelity to Truth.
tnswerving devotion TO truth is A
definition of fidelity. If
faithful to the truth. the whole truth.
and nothing but the truth" the testi-
mony of our lives. will be perfect and
But the question arises.
what is truth" PLATE asked this ques-
ton. but did not wait for an answer
Many in a soothing, peering way ask.
late to ask this question we do not
know. Although Christ did not tell
him what truth is. He did tell His dis
ciples and they have told us. Thomas
asked a question of the same import.
How can we know the wav?" and
Jesus said unto him. 4 am the way.
the truth and the life" Fidelity to
the truth as revealed in the life and
teachings of Christ is the greatest viz
tue to which we can attain.
Preparedness.
Fidelity in little things in an impera-
tive requirement of the Christian life,
for "he that is faithful in that which
is least is faithful also i'm much. and
he that is unjust in the least is unjust
also in much
by my tasks OF every day.
BY the little words I say,
BY the friendships which ! make.
BY the roads my footsteps take,
My allegiance l proclaim
My allegiance TO name
Prove my right His TO wear
Cross aud name OF Christ 10 bear.
If there be not faithfulness in the
of the little everyday du-
ties, there will not be preparedness for
he large duties. and without prepared
ness nothing of Importance can be
done.
Orrison Marden says: II know man
whose accomplishments have been a
marvel to all who know him. who, in
his boyhood. made the resolution: Let
every occasion be great occasion.
for you cannot tell when fate may be