Wheeling Register

FOUR BIBLE PICTURES
EXPLAINED BY REV. ALFORD IN A SERMON
TO ENDEAVORERS
At the Third Presbyterian Church Last Evening-
Timothy, Joseph, Andrew, and David,
and the Lessons They Teach.
The Christian Endeavor Society of the
Third Presbyterian Church conducted
the services last evening. A general
invitation was extended to all Endeav-
orers in the city and the congregation
was large. Special music appropriate
to the occasion was rendered by a large
choir. Rev. C. M. Alford, the pastor,
preached an interesting sermon, select-
ing for his theme "Timothy and other
young men."
He termed the Bible a great portrait
gallery, on the walls of which are hung
the pictures of the good and bad. Every
disposition and character is there por-
trayed. All phases of human nature
are exhibited. In walking through the
galleries we see pictures of our own sins
and graces. There is no truer senti-
ment in all the books that have been
written than "example is stronger than
precept." The speaker said he would
illustrate some Biblical precepts.
There are four walls to the building,
and four portraits he wished to hang.
The first picture was the portrait of the
young man Timothy. He was a great
and honored man, having the qualities
of greatness even in his youth. He was
of good stock, and good early training.
There is something in heredity. We
have nothing to do with the quality of
our ancestors, but like Timothy, we
should take advantage of the opportu-
nities they have given us for improve-
ment. As Endeavorers we should
take kindly to parental instruction
and counsel. Honor your parents.
When Timothy left home, he
selected good companionship. Timothy
and Paul made a strange couple, but
they were well qualified to work to-
gether. This union of the young and
old in Christian work, is just what is
needed. Seventy and twenty-seven
make a good team. The C. E. society
which seeks the counsel of the old
members of the congregation, will do
the most good.
The second portrait is that of Joseph.
There is no character in his life which
stands out bolder than the consistency
of his religious belief. God honors
those who honor Him. It is easy to be
an Endeavorer in religious meetings.
Let us be faithful in the service of the
Master, no matter what difficulties or
temptations we encounter.
The third portrait is that of David.
The two things most prominent in his
life were trust and courage. He trusted
that God would sustain him, and this
trust made him courageous. Every
Endeavorer should place his trust in
God. That is the underlying principle
of his pledge. It is in His strength that
we perform our Christian duties.
The fourth portrait is that of An-
drew. He was an earnest seeker. He
spent nearly the whole day with the
Savior, and became His disciple. A
little personal communion with the Sa-
vior does more good than attendance at
a public meeting. Andrew went forth
and gained another disciple for
Christ.
Jesus found Andrew, and
Andrew found Simon. This is the true
apostolic succession, each disciple find-
ing another, and extending the grace of
God. Personal work is the power that
will save the world. This is the work
every Endeavorer should perform.
The speaker described the growth of
a tree, showed that Christ's Kingdom
will have its proper growth when every
Christian brings one soul to Him. En-
deavorers can be very effective in per-
sonal work. They have opportunities
which the pastor can never reach.