Morning journal and courier., 1890-01-13
A LARGE ONGRRGATXON
Listens 10 Rev.-Dr. mcChssney's Clos
ing Sermon on Faith.

ing Sermon On Faith.
Rev. DR.. MoChssney delivered the closing
sermon last evening In his series on faith.
The series has awakened much interest In
the city and his comments upon the faith
cure theory have excited . wide spread
interest. DIR. Mcchesney's subject yesterday
was abraham, the Pioneer of Faith" and
the text was: "He staggered not at the
promise of God through unbelief, but was
strong In faith giving Glory to God" Rom.
Only by watching iss growth can Abra-
speaker. He belonged to family of idol
stors. All the attempts of men to improve
the divine basis of faith ends In idolatry or
superstit.on on the one hand or rationalism
on the other.
1t 10 the nature of true faith to
avoid these extremes and follow Gods
way exclusively. Faiths first test was an
exodus. Abraham went forth from idolat-
rous surroundings to follow whittier God
should lead. When he reached Canaan how
improbable that his offspring should ever
occupy that land. There he encountered
that famine-the 6rst of which We have any
historical record. Abraham's faith was im-
perfect at hrst-this was seen in his going to
Egypt-whsn God had not sent him. An
nOne8t otuOy OF tho lmporLoCtlOu OF 6lDi0
characters may serve better purpose, than
to shake our faith In Inspiration.
Abraham's faith comprehended more than
earthly good. We read that he looked for .
city which hath foundations. He thought
Of . progeny like the stars of heaven, when
he was ohildless and natural limitations for
bads the expectation. That faith had Ito
due reward In Isaac.
II has been observed that faith becomes
great only when great demands are made
upon II. Tho one question which faith asks
II significant: ''Is anything too hard for
0odT That question will carry true faith
past every trial. he was called upon to
sacrifice Isaac. He must rise above
paternal affection for the time, and disre-
gard natures voiceful complaint. Picture
bis journey toward Mount Morish-That
strange meetings of heart on that journey.
He reaches point where his servants can
NO longer follow. Tho rest must be con-
cluded with himself, Isaao and God.
When all was 30 obscure Abraham's
faith said: "God will provide himself
with lamb for the offering" Strange sub
old and deerepit. Isaac Was young and
strong, from twenty-seven to thirty. three
years old, and jet he submitted to be bound
to that altar-s fitting type of that Christ
who opened not his mouth. Isaac had only
10 will IL and then he could have changed
that scene, 20 Christ had only TO will 1t and
legiops Of angels would have throDged his
path.
Just whom the sacrif,cial knife wss mn.
lifted God interposed. There are no real de-
lays In Providence. Gods time schedule 10
amazipg. Just then God provided the Offer
ing. Abraham had lain his Isasc on Gods
altar and had received him back again.
Christ said Abraham rejoised to see my
day. Was II not then whom God surprised
h{a (alkha Than ~ h.
future lifted and Abraham's faith transHg.
ured. he saw the bleeding lamb of Calvary
and was glad.
The oross stands midway between us and
Abraham and its potency reaches forward
and backward, and In Christ Abraham's faith
Ands it, full realization, for in him shall all
the families Of the earth be blessed. The
essence Of faith 10 unchsng eable, but its overt
acts Of expression may and do change from
That New England father who few years
ago sacrificed his son made grave mistake
In oonfounding himself with Abraham. He
mistook his own vain imagery for Z revela-
tion. Abrahams God spared Abrahams son
but the New England lunatic slew his own
offspring. He who sees any parallel between
the two has rare creative genius. To ordinary
intelligence the one suggests the other only
by contrast. When fanatioism attempts the
achievements Of true faith the results are
fraught with rspellant horrors.
Abrahams faith has been rehearssd in all
zones and II potent factor In the religion
Of to-day. No hour was 10 dark to Abrar
ham bat he could see beyond the transient
gloom TO Frightening beams of . resurrec-
tion, for Abraham believed that God could
and would raise Isaac from the dead, rather
than that his promise should fail. Even
then his faith had q resurrection morn.
The reflections Of our Improvement are
many. Time will permit only the mention
of few;
Fins-Bswsrs Of religion devoid of sac
RIDGE.
Sscond-Bsware ofia faith which tries to
ovsrdo the present scope Of Gods promises.
Third-True faith comprshends divine
Interpolation.
Fourth-Ths SENSATIONAL principle UNDER
Lien the whole economy of human1sxistencs.
Fifth-True faith withholds nothing which
God demands, and 10 rewarded by surprises
Of divine provision.
Have We surrendered our ALI Have we
wavcred ~ though We were afraid that God
would destroy our dearest II we laid them
on 0od's atari Isaac never seemed 90 dear
TO Abraham - when God gave him back.
How God raised him from that altar to
work out great destiny.
So God has raised up some here tonight
from the verge Of the grave. How dear .
thing h life. We never know till the critic
q moment comes. God has written conn
msntary Of his own to teach N that he came
not TO destroy mems lives, but to save.
Sixth-Abraham was strong In faith CIV