Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-10-18
Is Faith TO be Had 2


Only believe what God says offaith, and
you will own that faith is the most potent,
the most beautiful, the most desirable thing
in the whole round Of human acquisitions.
Aladdin's lamp was but a child's to it.
Suppose for moment that there were such
a lamp; suppose it to possess all the ex-
traordinary powers ascribed to it; would
this ensure to its owner the wisdom needed
TO make the best use of those powers?-
Could it bring him peace of mind, freedom
from care, adoring reverence for God, and
good will to man? But all these areindis-
pensible to our happiness and what would
life be without happiness? We need to
face the fact that mans life consistent
not in the abundance of the things which
he possesseth, but in the ability to make
the best use of all things; and this ability
faith supplies. Faith has subdued king
doms, removed mountains, wrought right
eousness, made heroes of common men, OBJ
tanned promises and the possession Of all
things. To the children of faith it is said,
"All things are yours" TO every praying
man Jesus says, According to your faith
be it untoyou." whatsoever We shall ask
in my name, that will do fye shall
ask anything I will do it." This includes
little things, large things, all things. "Ask
what we will, and it shall be done unto
you" Why then does not everybody ex-
ercise faith9
You are perhaps saying, All, but faith is
the gift Of God; and it is not given to ev-
cry one and he who has it not, cannot
use it,
Have we then nothing to do in the mat
ter? Must man wait for faith to drop
like a ripe plum into his mouth? Is there
not a command, "Have faith in God?"-
Are there not many such commands? Is
not the bible vast storehouse ofincentives
to faith? To what purpose are these in
centives offered, if man can do nothing but
wait? Evidently man has much to do il
the matter. Theseincentives to faith were
meant to set mans will in motion. Mar
has a will Of his own; and in possessing
this will he is like to God. And God VIII,
made him, declares that he works in MAJ
to will and to do.
"Well then, why doesn't man do ?
Why does he not exercise faith in God
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ tot the utter
mOst?"
One chief reason is, that he wants t
serve two masters. He has read Christ
declaration that that cannot be done; an
he admits the general proposition; but
quite sure that he himself will be foun
somehow an exception to this rule. H
cannot see why Jesus need say, "Whosoey
err he be ofyou that forsaketh not all ths
he hath he cannot be my disciple" "Wh
not?' he asks. "If | were the slave Of an
of these things, of course | ought to Civ
them up; but to give up things innocer
in themselves, and which / mean to kee
in their subordinate place; where's tn
sense of that? 1t seems ike despising th
good gifts of God"
All, my dear friend, all such reasoning
are vain. Obedience, simple, childlik
obedience, is better than wisdom, the wi
dom of an unchanged heart. "WithoI
faith it is impossible to please God" An
faith consists in taking God very simply
his word; believing that word and restin
on it wholly. You can come to this; NJ
while you cling to this or that and plea
to be spared some sacrifice; very trifie
may be; but its influence on you is N
trihing, for it shuts out the Sun of RICH
eousness and leaves you cropping. Woul
you be strong, wise, useful, joyful? Fol
sake all and follow Jesus. Do it now.
not waste time in debating hys and wher
fores. According to the UNDERESTIMATE
you now have, do it; and your understan
ing will be enlarged day by day, hour
hour. Happy indeed is he who has tn
left all for Christ 1t is not the missio
AIRY alone, or the martyr, who is called
do this. All are called to it. Every pc.
ton in life requires it. No man is for
moment in any day or hour secure fro
serious errors and mischances who is L
living by simple, loving, con6ding faith
the unseen Christ. Think not, dear frier
that because your life seems little a
commonplace, faith cannot be of su
great importance to you. 1t is the 0
thing needful for you as truly as for a
other Waterman and Reflector.