Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-02-23
For Tie GAZETTE.
FAITH


answer faith is simple trust, that is all.
Such faith st. Paul had, when he said: Il
have finished my course, | have kept the
faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a
crown Of righteousness, which the Lord.
the righteous Judge, will give me at that
day" Paul had not seen the crown OF
righteousness" but He, like those Of old,
who died in the faith, not having received
the promises, but having faith to believe the
promise OF God, who is fully able to per-
form all that he has promised. BY faith
Paul knew there was q crown laid up for
him. which crown (havihg kept the faith
he surely would receive. Oh what blessed
exhibition Of faith ! He looked not ut the
present gloom, the clouds that oVershadoW-
ed him, and the horrible death awaiting
him, hut through them, and saw and read
Gods promise in the distance, believing
that "What His wcrd and truth had said,
his own almighty hand would do In the
ordinary affairs of life where will we find Il
man without faith? For instance, is there
a man living in possession of his reason who
because he has never seen New York, Rome
or London will declare that there are no
such places? Nay, verify, do not believe
such y one exists Where is the man, who
because he did not see the revolutionary
war. does not believe there was any
revolution? Such q man would be, and
think Justly, considered a lunatic Take
the floods, which have been and are devas-
ta,ipg the banks OF the Ohio, and hlississippl
Valley, spreading ruin and desolatlon to all
within its reach. The majority OF the coun-
try have not seen the disaster. Yet we all
know that it is true; the accounts reach Us
through reliable sources, and our hearts
bleed with sympathy for the unfortunates,
who have lost home, friends and all the heart
holds dear: Who can estimate the depth Of
the suffering, no human tongue can utter,
but The heart can feel it, and we hasten to
do all we can for them because we believe
they need it, that is practical faith. Were
q rich 1nan to die and leave his wealth TO
poor man. whom he had seen, and whose
condition he pitied, and this poor man re-
ccived check, and notification that the
money was in bank placed to his name anu
awaiting his order, do you think he would
say; Il did not know this rich man, wont
90 10 the bank for l don't believe it," and
90 on living in poverty, while the means OF
wealth were right at his hand? Most as.
svredlv not; at the least, he would have faith
to enquire about it, and | think he would
use all diligence in doing 50.
Just so in religion, Christ died and says TO
us in His word and through His servants
"Come" take this inheritance, incorruptl-
bic, undefiled that fadeth not away" faith
is the living principle chat grasps
the blessing God desires 10 give. Faith III
our Lord Jesus Christ will bring us to the
jnheritauce He died to give U.s. Who, oh,
who can doubt him. SC what simple
thing faith is simple trust. Our God is the
"God OF truth, He cannot lie." Where
fore. | am not ashamed Of the Cos
pei OF Christ, for it is the pow
cr of God. unto salvation, to erery one that
5elierelh. How in the face of snch blessed
assurances, can we doubt Christ. st. Paui
says: II know whom | have believed"
Job also tells us, 81 know that my
Rcdeemer lives" How did they know?
How did Job know that his Redeemerlived,
ana would stand upon the earth, that tho
skin worms should destroy his body, yet III
his flesh he should see God? 1t was by
faith, and that faith is given to every true
child OF God, now as we'll as in the days of
Job, and Of Paul Oh Lord thou art my
God. Thou livest, and as thou livest, ever
so | shall live. "When he shall appear, we
Shall be like him, for we shall see him as
| he is Can we not trust him
Oh, weary, doubling one lean upon
his promise, He will give you rest. We can
| not live without faith. The heart OF man de-
| mapds, nav, must believe in something supreme
| Life without faith is like ship without rudder
| no guide She can make certain port; no rest
| for the weary heartsick mariner.
! All drearincss and hcartsckness, with no hope
| whiricd around with every wind and current
until caught in the eddying rapids of death soon-
or or later ne is carried over and down to destruc
ton, more certain. than if he had gone over
| Niagara.
oh hear Christ Come unto me, all yo weary,
heavy laden aud will give you rest. Take my
| caev and my burden is light" Hear him say
Relieve and live" "Oh thou afflicted tossed
with tempest and not comforted believe and
.tchold. i will lay thy stones with fair colours,
and thy foundation with sapphires" H. a. r.