The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-17
FAITH IN GOD.
Synopsis of a Sermon by Rev.
Oliver C. Miller.

Faith in God" was the subject Of the
sermon preached yesterday morning in the
First English Lutheran Church by the pas
tor, Rev. Oliver c. Miller.
This is an old theme" said the preacher,
but one that can never be worn thread
bare. Moses preached upon it in his day,
and Jesus, and Paul; yet it has never been
exhausted. The hearts of the disciples
were filled with sorrow over the words of
their Master when he told them of his
Soon-coming suffering and death to soothe
their grief. He uttered the impera-
tive language Of the text, John 14I:
Believe ye in Cod and gave it to all ages
as panacea for the sorrows of life. Heart
trouble, spiritually speaking, is the su-
premest anguish, and is there cure-alI,
Glorious announcement Yes, God PROM
ises to save his people, not from. but in
their dstresses. Says some one, why
should such an exhortatiOn be given, for all
intelligent beings must believe in supreme
power and authority. A Being to whom We
can offer prayers and sacrifice, such was the
belief of the whole heather world or, why
should Christ give this command TO his dis
clpleS to whom he had SO often taught the
lesson, that their belief should not be inertP
LATENT POWER OF NO VALUE
Power is of no practical value when it is
latent. So. like our faith, it must be brought
out, that We might believe. as we love,
with our hearts. The Master wished to
gird both his disciples and US for the great
trials that are sure TO come. But how are
we to believe in Gods personality of
being? This is the point of attack
for the infdel. 1t is not so easy.
We are apt to believe in him as an impal-
pable ether, or impersonal force Scriptures
reveal that God Is person, and it is DEM
onstrated from our personality, for from
personality personality must come, for it is
the supreme fact stream cannot be
higher than the source clod, or even an
opening blossom, cannot generate person.
The highest revelation of this fact is found
In the personality of him who said: L
and my father are one.' We must
believe in this personal God, filling all time
and space, taking recognition of us in all
our needs, as real to us as our nearest friend.
We must all So believe in him as infinite
holiness, even though sin be allowed TO 20
unpublished for time, else worship is i'm
possible, for 1t demands moral purity and
perfection of the object worshiped. Ii God
were like us III fit Uf anger lie would kill
US all.
HIS MATCHLEss TENDERNESS.
1--WE must believe also in his matchless
tenderness, which is reflected in our own
hearts, from whence come these loves
that are so sweet and that bear so much.
ms knowledge not TO be apprehended by
the Intellect; here the heart must Instruct
US. When we hear Christ say believe in
me- We see the impersonation of matchless
tenderness. Believe in his affectionate soli-
cltude, unworthy though we be, and the
hearts nearest God are always the most ten
der and loving. We are to believe with
all our hearts in Gods personality aud
all his attributes, even the Justice
that tempers his mercy and makes him pun
ish the lmpenitent sinner We are to believe
in God as brother father, and even in
him who said. AS one whom his mother
comforteth so will l comfort you Then
your heart will not be troubled; his power
will uphold you, his peace fill your heart,
his love and hope inspire you; you shall
walk the earth with heroic tread and wear
i'll heaven the victOrS crown"