The herald., 1894-03-05
Father Hickey ON Faith.


The following is a synopsis OF the ser.
mon delivered by the Very Rev. Father
Hickey on Faith at the cathedral yes
terday, beingof the Lenten series. Faith
is briefly defined as divine virtue by
which we firmly believe the truths that
God has revealed. To be more exact, an
act OF divine faith is the undoubting as
sent given to revealed truths, not be-
cause OF the evidence which can be pro-
duced for them, but simply because
they are revealed by God. There is
nothing irrational about faith. The
mind must have certain motives inclin-
ing it to credit tho fact that the truths
proposed were really revealed by God.
The motives in question are termed
motives OF credibility. For instance,
the character of Christ, the triumph OF
the gospel, the fulfilment of prophecy
furnish strong arguments of the truth
OF Christianity and OF the doctrines it
inculcates. But all such motives, no
matter how cogent, are simply human
motives, and cannot possibly serve as
the real basis of faith. Faith looks
higher and farther than even the most
convincing testimony. II must rest
upon Gods authority, and on that
alone. Mere human motives of credi-
bility prepare the mind, and then God 8
grace comes into the soul, inducing it
to accept, apart from all human motives,
apart from all mere human reasoning,
the truth in question. simply and solely
on the divine authority.
In an act OF divine faith all doubt is
excluded; in other wards, it must be
absolutely unhesitating, for, being
based upon the very highest conceiva-
BILE authority, that OF God, doubt is
necessarily out of the question.
Man Is made for q supernatural end.
10 attain that end, which is God, faith
or belief in God is necessary. Hence,
without faith. as the scriptures teach,
1T is impossible to please God" In
TINS matter mere reason is poWerlees.
Natural reason may indicate, but it can
never demonetrate mans true end. for
the simple reason that the end in oues-
-tion is supernatural, and consequently
Is on higher plane than that which
falls within the scope OF human reason,
which is simply natural.
Divine faith must include at the very
least the existence of God, and that He
rewards those who believe in Him and
love Him. 1t is, however, certain that
where the opportunity occurs, q man is
bound to acquaint himself with the
primary truths as expressed in the
creed. and to know the commandments ia
OF God and of the church, as we'll as the
essential truths regarding the sacra-
ments and their use. Moreover, all are
bound land can only be excused by in
vinclble lgnorance) to believe all that
the church teaches. One is not bound
to know all the definitions of the church,
but he must believe that the church
cannot err, and that consequently
.hatever she teaches is infallibly true.
Faith, though necessary as the basis
on which rest mans chances of eternal
life, is not in itself sufficient for saliva
tion. Faith must be perfected by char
ity, for faith without good works is
dead" As faith is a gift OF God, it NAV
be lost. A single act of disbelief in q
truth previously admitted on the divine
authority would insure it's complete de-
struction. 1t is apparent that faith ia a
gem of priceless worth. IL is the first
condition, the sine qua non of future
happiness. 1t is consequently to ba
regarded as the apple of the eye. In
comparison with it, all earth's treasures
count as nothing. Temporal losses, how
severe soever. are mere trihes 80 long as
faith be preserved. The soul that pos.
sesses it is raised above the sordid
things OF earth. Perfected by charity,
faith leads us into the closest possible
touch with the Divinity, imparte to our
minds broader, deeper insight into
mysteries beyond the strength of unaided
human reason, and serves as a gentle
though effective stimulant to mob le
deeds Tor God and humanity.