Telegram-herald., 1888-09-29

Elder =. ". F4rDswsrth, hsvisg arrived
from Colorado. occupied the desk and tosx
for his tsIt Luke xviii Z. Il tell YOU that
he will svsngs them speedily. Nsverthe-
less, when the Son of man cometh, shall hs
ind faith on the eartAg"
CAL attention particularly TO the last
clause Of the text Nevertheless when the
Son of man comsth. shall he ind faith on
the esrth2' Faith has always been al i'm
portant element IA making up Cnristisn u
character but the circumstances pre-
supposed by our text are th4l ia the DAYS
Just previous ~ Christ's coming il would
be extremely doubtful as TO whether thtre
would oe true faith. As book of authority
the Bible has largely lost It's grip on man
kind. Not that they do not quite readily
and willingly fall in with It's claims in a
general way. but when its truths are closely
pressed home, and practical personal APP
plicatiOn made. We do not see that foil
complete, and proper conformity that
should be. IL is very popular with many
10 doubt many portions of the Bible. When
a man begins 10 doubt the 81 Ole, he Is liaole
TO be finally led TO throw il overheard.
When man fully believes the
Bible. il will have g decided and
visible effect on his lip, be will show that
he does believe it,
In the parable that precedes our te1t,
Christ said that men ought always 10 pray.
and not to faint. This is a last day parable,
and has its application Just before the Lord
comes. and especially TO the remnant church.
1t means that We ought 10 always pray. but
never TO be discouraged II means that We
should be perevering. faithful, and never
give over the battle to the enemy. The
parable of the widow who was persistent in
her prayers 10 the judge. is given as an ex-
ample for Us TO follow. and should encour-
sge US to be persistent in our petitions TO
God. The poor widow had only one thing
in her favor-sim pie Justice. She had
neither friends nor money. The Judge kept
putting her of from time 10 time, but still
abe kept coming, and would not cease. he
finally decided TO give her case attention,
lest by her continual coming she weary him.
This Is what persistence will accomplish.
In view of this, Christ added: Shall not
God svenge his own elect? / tell
you that He will avenge them" And
yet he added. notwithstanding this evidence
of Gods willingness TO listen 10 the prayers
of his people. When the Son of msn
cometb. shall he ind fsith on the earth2"
As We near the clese of time, the crcam.
stances will be such as TO render true faith
very doubtful and scarce. ThsIe are evil
dsDces already that there is very little of
that continued. persistent prayer. backed by
intense. overmsstering desire. That IL the
very essence of true prayer. and unless We
have IL. our prayers amesnt TO but little.
The widow had ~ intense desire and de-
termination TO obtain what she was asking
for: she was determined TO be avenged of
her enemy. There are but few such PRAYERS
made nowadays as this widow made.
When a man loses the spirit of Cod out az
his heart, faith goes out with it. faith is
one of the fruits OF the spirit. The love OF
God comes by the Holy Spirit also. Our
faith aud love vary according as we are In
possession OF the Holy Ghost. The activity
of faith and love cause those virtues 10 in
crease. They are susceptible of being cul
tured.
The Scriptures bring 10 view the fact
that IN the last days there will
be a kind of sn easy going religion. .
religion. or profession that people will aide
along easily with, not being psrtic ulsry
burdenei. There will be a general eclsn-
sion among professors OF religion. ] wish
to know how il is with my hearers. Are
you as live. vide-avske. and jealous in
your religious life as you were Eve yesrs
ago. or Two years ago. II you are net. IL is
time for YOU to be alarmed How much
farther are you going 10 drff away from
G Od2 When are you going 10 call halt