Union and American. [volume] (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1875-1877, 1876-03-30

tections upon riches and honor
These are priced more than God
and heaven.
But the Christian posses seine
thing of infinitely greater value,
he Las precious faith. Faith in
Christ, which secures for him an
interest in the favor of Col, which
is life, and bis loving kindness,
which is better than life.
Riches and honor cannot satisfy
the immortal mind, Man will soon
be removed from these, or they will
take to themselves, the wings OF
the morning, and fly away, and
elude his grasp, while he yet lives.
But that which faith imparts,
does not so easily fade away. 1t
looks not ut the things which are
seen, which are temporal, but at the
things which are not seen, which
are eternal.
The statesman may glory in his
eloquence as the instrument Of his
success; the legislator may glory
in his wise regulations to promote
the interests Of his country; the
warrior may glory in his sword,
his skill, and valor as the source of
his mighty achievements; the sen
sua!ist may glory in his carnal IN
ventions and pursuits as the source
of %enjoyment; the mau Of wealth,
in his gold, his vast domains, and
his equipage Of splendor as the
very fountain of bliss; But, the
Christian regards not these, but eX
claims, l will glory in my faith, for
the merchandise Of it is better than
the merchandise of silver, and the
gain thereof than fine gold, more
precious than rubies, and all the
things that can be desired are not
to be compared with it. In regard
to this precious Faith we inquire,
!. What is its nature?
We remark, that faith implies
trust and confidence inGod, through
Christ, Cor justification or pardon.
Therefore, being justified by faith,
we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ. This the
gospel sense of faith. Saving faith
has no other Interpretation. There
fore it is more thar mere opinion
or mere bellet, that Christ is the
true Messiah. Many believe this,
and are not saved; even devils be-
lieve thus far, and remain devils
still. 1t is more than believing
that Christ died as a sacrifice for
sin, many accept this truth, and re-
main in the gall of bitterness, and
the bonds of iniquity. 1t is more
than q mere attachment to, or a de-
fence of the truth, this may be in
duced by early training, education
or prejudice. Attachment to the
truth can only be real, and its de-
fence can only be efficient, when
faith has its Judgment in the heart.
Saving faith implies;
l. Divine enlightenment. Knowl-
edge is the foundation Of saving
faith. A knowledge Of God, and
his nature as revealed in His word,
A knowledge Of our relation to Him
as a divine lawgiver. OF ourselves
as sinners, wretched and helpless
before Him; exposed to His wrath,
and unworthy of His favor. This
knowledge is at the foundation of
saving faith, for it is written, "They
that know Thee will put their
trust in Thee A knowledge of
Christ in his mediatorial character.
AS the Savior, who by His sacrifice
made an end of sin, finished trans
gresssion, and brought in everIast-
inc Righteousness. This enlight-
eminent, produced by the Holy Spir-
it, gives u perception of the adapt
alton of the remedy to the spiritual
eXigencies Of the sinner, it is hailed
by him with rapture as that which
alone can make him happy,
2. 1t implies the remuneration Of
all other grounds for salvation from
o perception Of their ialacy when
compared with Christ. The Rev.
David Dickson, professor of divin-
ity in Edinburgh, beingasked when
on his death bed, how he found