Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-02-10

W NJ, lol tICoS anu OSiA'SA SOON iSssSOus
treats that unknown thing as a truth
and worships God and prays to him
and acts accordingly, he has faith.
Let US distinctly note here the diff
ference between the man who has
this religious faith and the one who
has it not. The one may have no
more belief than the other and no
more reasons for treating the improved
thing as a truth than the other-but
the one chooses to treat the unknown
thing as true; the other does not so
choose. 1t will be seen therefore that
faith is chiefly choice. 1t will be
seen also that it is a rational choice.
And in these things lies its virtue, its
rightness, its morality.
Here will be seen too, the criminal
ity of what is called unbelief. 1t is
not that there is no belief, and not
that there is refusal to accept what
is known, or proved, or seen to be
true; but that there is a refusal to
treat the unknown as true, notwith-
standing there are good reasons for so
treating it. It is unreasonable be-
cause it is a refusal to act according
to the stronger and better reasons.
1t practically denies, what neverthe-
less it sees and cannot but see and
assent to-that there are more and
better reasons for worship, and prayer,
and trust toward holy and loving
God, than against it.
Take again the hope of immortal
life--there are good and strong rea-
sons for treating that desirable, but as
yet improved thing, as true. To re-
gard 1t as true and to act accordingly
works well, in human life.
It is an Inspiration to all worthy
striving, whether to be, or to Go, good.
There is a sense of honor and great
ness in it. 1t brings the most comfort
and help to the most deserving. 1t
solves many questions otherwise mex
plicable 1t works no i'll, and in view
Of all these reasons to treat it as if it
were known and proved is most rea-
sonable. Yet since it is not, and-we
may grant-cannot be, proved, to treat
it as true for the above good reasons,
and to act accordingly, is genuine re-
ligious faith.
Take also many of the great ques-
tions of Duty-to support churches
and benevolent societies to do bust
ness On the principle of the golden
rule to forgive injuries, to be self
sacrifcing-~we cannot prove that men
will get rich at these things or that
those who don't do them will get poor.
If this life and world be all there is
for US it is fair question whether, it
pays to sacrifice ourseif very much.
IF a man is no better than tree or a
dog, except for few feeting breaths,
why should we deny ourselves, and
labor with great efforts to help such
beings, or to become anything more
ourselves? Thus the whole great
question Of Duty, appeals to US by the
unknown. the improved, and bids US
treat immortality as true, that we may
even treat duty itself as truth.
But what good reasons there are for
treating the improved things that lure
US to duty as facts and truths ! To
treat them as true then-to act as If
they were true-this is faith. 1t is a
rational choice.
We have said that faith is treating
the unknown as if it were known, for
good reasons. And that in matters of
religion, superstition is treating the
unknown as if it were known, for bad
reasons-inadequate reasons.
We have illustrated the faith by the
great ideas of God and Immortality
and Duty.
Let US now illustrate superstition.
Take the idea of Devil. omnipresent,
nearly almighty, the embodiment of
malice and vileness and cruelty; no
one can prove that there is such be-
ing. It is one of the unknown and
unknowable things. Yet to treat that
improved thing as truth is not faith?
Why? Because there are not good
reasons for so doing, tits not an idea
that brings courage and hope and JOY
to weak and toiling souls. 1t
adds no dignity to humanity.
It certainly does not glorify God.
1t explains nothing, but multi
plies difficulties. and takes away hope.
For if one Of Gods creatures was
made so, then is God worse even than
such a being. But if one Of Gods
creatures became SO, why may not
many more? Why may not any one
IT. Lonnnsn Cod unnt snffnr anu