St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-01
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Published by Request
Mark 6: 6-And he marveled because of their un-
belief.
Christ had also marveled OH another
and different occasion. 1t was when
certain centurion applied to him to
heal his servant. The applicant was a
heather, of the proud Roman race, a
man of authority and of wealth doubt
less, in short one whose education, tastes
and prospects in life inclined him away
from Christ and Christianity. At such
confidence in him, and from such a man,
the Savior marveled and "said to them
that followed him, Verify, say unto
you, l have not found so great faith,
no, not in Israeli" 1t was wonder at
finding faith where, judging from all
human history, it was not to be expect
ed. The wonder spoken of in the text,
however, was wonder at unbelief where
faith should have been found, in Israel,
among his own kindred, in the midst of
people professedly waiting for the
Messiah.
Christ marvels then at both, at faith
and at unbelief. Are both then so won
derful From the same point of view,
among men, as Christ stood when he
beheld the Centurion's faith, that faith
was remarkable, because men are note
riously disinclined to faith. And this
fact renders it not strange that the
neighbors and kinsmen of our Lore
should reject him. Like other mel
they were naturally disinclined to be
lieve in a spiritual Messiah, and, agains
such natural disinclination, even an ac
cumulation of evidence, such as wa:
brought to bear upon the Jews, usually
avails but little. To one, | say, whC
Judges from familiarity with the hear
of man, the Centurion's faith was strang,
but the unbelief of the Nazarenes wa
not strange. To explain Christ's won
der at this unbelief then it is only nee
essary to suppose him viewing it from
another position. From heaven, fron
holiness, the conduct of the Nazarenes
and, indeed, that of all unbelievers
must appear strange, if not absolutel.
unaccountable. They to whom tn
spiritual world is as real as this, the.
f who are accustomed to credit ever.
statement of God, to trust in him i'm
plicitly, whose faith never wavers for a
f instant, must marvel at the sight tina
t greets their eyes when they look earth
, ward and behold the incredulity wit
which the Divine messages and Christ
offer of salvation are here received; un
belief existing as the usual state of til
, human heart, so that faith, except un
der the most favorable circumstances
{ excites surprise in the beholder, and a
unbelief which no amount of evidenc
; addressed to the intellect can remove
because it is an unwillingness of heal
9 to believe and trust.
2 If we 90 on to ask in what respeC
S this want of faith is so strange, so aston
e ishing to those who have beheld th
t wonderful things of the eternal wOrl(
J far surprising this, as we have bee
r wont to suppose it does, in all that woul
= naturally excite amazement, the answt
/ is perhaps manifold. But the repl
p which, while it is not less true than an
l., other, will best subserve my presel
s purpose is this :-Unbelief is marvelol
e because it is cherished in spite of i
It calamitous nature and results. 1t is
r misfortune. However else it may
t characterized it certainly is this. E
V who lacks faith, whatever other feeling
V his case might properly excite, is {
e appropriate object of pity. If he +
e mains in that condition voluntarily
s and no man is an unbeliever an no
d against his will-he is also an object
rs mystery, of amazement, as that ragg'
IF outcast would be who is ragged al
= homeless of his own choice, or that i
.e valid who voluntarily declines heal
III when he could be well if he would.
But wherein is want of faith such
N misfortune
is First, from it's nature. 1t impli
j. spiritual unsoundness. Indeed it m
sc be looked upon as essentially disea
10 and defermity of soul.
W 1t is convenient and common, if u