Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1883-09-25
FAITH.


The Rev. E. Pratt delivered the fol.
Irving discourse last Sunday at the
schoolhouse, before = good congrega.
cation, on Saith" His text was
taken from Hebrews XII, 1-"Faith is
the substance Of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not SEEM"
A distinguished surgeon who had
acquired large wealth contracting for
army supplies, "fat and greasy ci,i.
zen Of the WORLD" lecturing before
his class OF students, said that religion
was mere matter Of faith, and dis
missed the subject with contempt. As
hold up this subject to many OF you,
bold up an impossibility. 1t Is now
~ it was in the time of the apostles, Of
tho prophets, OF Noah and Abraham,
Of Enoch and of Abel, foolishness to
the world, thing for simple, plain,
hard and horny.handed laboring men
and women, who have been foolish
enough to take it to their bosoms and
receive and live with it with Joy, the
lamp which has given a little light
here and illumined their whole future
with glory. 1t is foolishness to the
world because it is the assurance OF
things only hoped for, or an evidence
Of things unseen.
The rich army contractor sees
houses, servants, fine linen and stump.
tuous fare every day, enjoys that
'limy adulation and flattery which
wealth brings, experiences the gratifi
cation Of every human passion, and
then passes on to worms and rots.
Faith says the things which are seen
are temporal, and instead of filing
the tomb with corruption spread over
1t tho glory of hope, and the glory of
an unseen and eternal kingdom inhab-
tied with resurrected end glor,fied
body. Unbelief says get the present
1t any price; pull down barns and
build greater; lie, cheat, steal, sell to
soldiers shoddy muskets, rotten gar.
msnts, mouldy rations, take in the pil.
grims, "aeece and rob tho tcnderfoot,"
live in luxury and ease, for tomorrow
ws die. Faith says all the riches and |
things of this world are to be used,
and used only as its ministering ser.
wants, to fit you by a course of right.
!eousness and truth for life everlasting
with the God Of truth, the throne OF
whose kingdom is resplendent IN all
the glory Of perfect righteousness.
After giving a definition of faith
tho apostle gives list of examples
showing that Biblical faith is conf.
dence in tho Bible as a rule or direc.
ton Of life, and in God and heaven
~ tho end Of it.
The way is through faith in a re.
demption that was purchased by our
Lord Jesus Christ, as foreshsdowed bv
tho prophecies and ceremonies of the
Old Testament and recorded in the
now. ~ can't believe that" SAYS
some one. ~ want to do so, but it
isn't reasonable" In the long trail
from Banner to Bonanza there is ev-
cry conceivable twisting and turning,
seldom, if ever, straight line in the
direct course; some man might refuse
to 60 in the trail north or south. as
that is not the direction, and it isn't
reasonable. But the PLAIN man who
10 not too smart to follow the beaten
track will travel with assurance to the
end OF the journey. The way of the
Bible has been travelled by our fathers
snd mothers, and as we accept its
teachings We may be sure of coming
10 the glad end OF labor and toll. The
lact' As there recorded may not all be
perfectly understood. There is an in.
Unity Of love which can never be com
pretended here. But the few direc. .
lions are plain and good for simple.
minded men and women.
The end of the journey is heaven.
There is but meagre description OF 9
he hnal abode. Its an end Of anx.
Gus care and labor, an end of the sor.
ows and burdens Of life. The tired ii
md weary only know tho sweets Of pI
est. What must it be to end all our
veariness in an eternal rest? 1t is a s $,
beautiful place lie tt