The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-29
I4ITHLESSNESS.

JAMES y. MILLS. D. y.
10 Is to be seriously doubted whether.
with all the teaching and celebrations
OF Dos inspired Founder, the church bas
awakened to anything like an adequate
realization of the possibilities Of faith.
Tne declarations Of our blessed Lord
ou tbi, point are so strong and positive
that many are inclined TO regard them
a- hyreibolical and exaggerated forms
of expression. Even the necessity of
faith asa condition of justification. a.
well as of the more advanced states
of Christian hfe. has been so toned
down. and emasculated. and by many
is regarded "a. so unreasonable ana
un-cient6c that it Is difficult TO deter
mine whether modern IS salvation l.
ty be- gained Toy faith or doubt. Eyi-
dtniy To- some minds and in the c IL
nation of some ecciesiastics. an un-
Willingness 60 believe and tendency TO
ektpUci,m are much MOI cCmmendabie
and vastly more Indicative of lntell
gene than belief. Not only does TIN
spirit of doubt prevail on doctrinai ma -
teTs and theological dogmas, but is also
sadly prevalent in the practical aifairs
OF our holy religion and among protested
Chris ians There have neen times
when man with mighty faitI IN God
have an llertakeu what seemed 20 the
world as hopeless schemes. AMI Hiih a
perlnacity aud determination which
occurred TO them the applause of their
critics have overcome all difficulties
aud Won glorious triumphs. There have
been men VINO ave dared 10 believe
God 10 take his Promises at Their lace
.e.Iup-aud de-plte the indifference. O e.
r.-ition and deuunciation Of their con
tenn lrafies have gone bravely forward.
sometimes diving I'M their tracks. but
more often levolutioniziuG society
breaking the banks of captiv,s. and
operite the prison doors Of them that
were bound. but they have been re
..ald.d..s exceptional cases. History
sacred and rroiane. IL it teaches any
thia1. teaches that IN the MAN, s"
cailed Impractical les.' fanatics ano
enthusiast, nave inflated and accom-
pl.h.i ai the great reforms which
h.t, blessed humanity and lifted w
s1e FACE. CopeinicUs and Calico II
science. Columbus in discovery; John
BAPTIST. Luther and Wesley in religion
M0l-e and Fulton in invention. are
fcu among thousands of illustrations
which might be adducei.
Net cur wise men in chairs edito
r. aud chairs professional, and pull
n,t. dictatorial weary not in denounc
inc f. ith cures. and faith evaDgellsts
ana faith missionaries, and appropria
firms ma lie ON the basis of faith rathe
than figures: in fact, almost everything
which mas not actually been demon
.trated as p-acticable. or which ID
volve. any Ti-k. The enterprises which
,ee...itate the outlay in advance o
.,.t amounts of G.. Dital and toll, an'
involve great sacrifices Of men be
fore realizing any results ar
almost All in the name
sci.rcc and worldly acknowledgment
The heroic deeds OF disciples lgnatiu
1ovoia. Of Judson. and. DUH AM
Morrison. and Livingstone find but lev
rnnterparts in our Gays or if they DC
are too often spoken of as the vi'ionar
.chemes Of hair Drained fanatics. "
reason. ana argue. and weigh and di'
c5,s probabilities, and recall failures
and exaegerats the chances and terriDi
CONSEQUENCES of defeat, until faith
pafa's Zed-
.fna f.us fne native hue Of resolution
f...el lea DER with the pale cast OF thoush
And enterprises 81 great pith and moment
NIn those considerations thei curreh'
Runaway
..isi lose ihe name Of action.
III sc had faith. said the creates
tscbcr 81 AL times. las gram OF inu
tard seed. ge may say 10 this p'ountain'
0e..an.9 81, slen stand and look ut IN
m.up,aiu aud measure It's dimension
aud estimate It's bulk. aud appoint con
mitees 70 formulate rules ana fesu"
lions as 20 how it must move. aud the
say. Won't you please vacate tne'
premises IN an orderly end hcienh'
mauueryn OF course the mouo'a'
does not move very quickly. "oo III
not intend 1t should by such process
aud 80 according to our fallh
done unto w. The kind OF ialth jest
talked about laughs at impossioiiit'e
aud ciies il shall be done" IL max
ventures. aud takes risks. and inveS
oanial.. land iuanguIates undertaking
and employs effort. plaus largely. Co
tribute, freely. coolies perSislenti,
and never lets go.
"Wnrn the Son Of Man ,meth sha
he q - faith On the earth :" Were
- come now. would re find 1t IN yo'
chnrchy What great undertakings b
IT IN hand Tor the MASTERY Would
hnd IL IN you as pastor Are 20
Joshua.ike, saying TO the peopl
There remaineth much land 70 b p(