THE KING’S BUSINESS
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shepherds; the “ Bright and Morning Star” of wise men; the dread of all cruel Herods and their councillors; to wake all the “ little daughters;” to bless all the little children; to feed all the hungry men, women and children; and to bring in the kingdom of heaven, made up of all who have been con verted and become like God’s “ H oly C hild J esus ” (Acts 4:27). One other event we must remember, oh, how wonderful and blessed! the Lord meant to include it “ in remembrance of Me," and that is, not the Christmas but the Easter story, without that the “ blood” would not avail, nor the coming again be possible. Paul says, “ Re member” that (2 Tim. 2:8 ). Sunday, February 1 Christian Endeavor Progress.— Mark 4:26-32 CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR DAY 1. Material Progress. In the great Pentecost revival (Acts 2:1— 5 :42) men “doubted whereunto this would grow” (Acts 5:24, 25). So with the rapid progress of the C. E. from the first. It has grown beyond all expectation. Begun in Dr. Clark’s congregation in Portland, Me., in 1881, after thirty-two years we find it established throughout Protestant lands, and found among the missionary churches of heathen lands. There are now more than 75,000 societies, with nearly half a million members; besides the Eptvorth League and B. Y. P. Society, which have, practically, sprung from the C. E. mover'ent. The C. E. Society is now a missionary agency, giv ing much money and supporting its own missionaries directly and through the Church boards. 2. Spiritual Progress. The Lord does not say much about ma terial or outward progress, so, I suppose, He does not think or count much on it. Only twice in the New Testament does He give Church statistics (Acts 2:41; 4 :4 ). It is the spiritual, the inward growth He cares for; not much about the pledges you make with your tongues, but the service o f faith and love which springs from your heart. Not much of the progress of the society,
but much of that o f the soul. So while we look out, let us be sure to look in. To progress is to go forw.ard. Some who start forward with their pledges, really go back ward by breaking them. They are like the boy whose excuse for being late was, that icy morning, that he slipped back*three steps for each one forward. Others are like ,the horse in the.treadmill—a good deal of en deavor but no real progress. What spiritual progress is your own society and self mak ing? Are you grown and growing in grace? (2 Peter 3:18). Are you increasing with the increase of God? (Col. 2:19). Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit? (Gal. 5:22, 23). What have you “gained by trad ing?” (Luke 19:15). Sunday, February 8 The Beatitudes II. What to Do With Our Troubles.—Matt. 5 :4 CONSECRATION MEETING 1. Why Troubles Come. (1) In consequence of sin (Gen. 3:15-19; Rom. 5:12). (2) To try our faith, whether we will trust God even in trouble (James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:^). (3 ) For a sign to Christians of their Divine sonship (Heb. 12:5-7). (4) In order that we, being com forted by God, may, out of our experience, be able to comfort others in trouble (2 Cor. 1:3, 4). 2. What to Do With Trouble. (1) Take it to Jesus (Matt. 11:28-30). (2) Leave it with Jesus (1 Peter 5:7). (3 ) Do not trouble others" with it (Gal. 6 :5 ). “ Come, cast your burden on the Lord, Only lean upon His word; You will soon have cause to bless His unchanging faithfulness.” 3. What to Do in Trouble. (1) Rejoice (James 1:2, 3). (2) Glory (Rom. 5:3-5). (3) Consider Scripture ex amples, Job (James 5:10, 11); David (Ps. 7 7 :2 ); Daniel (Dan. 2:17, 18); Paul (Col. 1 :12) ; our Blessed Lord (Matt. 26:36-39). (4) Comfort others (2 Cor. 1:4). Have you heard the story of “ The Trouble Wo man?” It is too long to tell here. She (Concluded on Page 59)
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