The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-27
FAITH AND DUTY.
Honest Efforts, IL Followed Faith
fully, VIII Clear Away All Doubts

Honest Efforts, III Followed Faith
fully, VIII Clear Away All Doubts.
Rev. c. N. Sims, pastor of Meridian-street
NJ. E. Church, preached an interesting SER
mon yesterday morning from the text,
And straightway the father OF the child
cried out, and said with tears, Lord be-
lieve; help thou mine unbelief.'' Mark. TX,
"A. The subject of the sermon was the
struggle Of faith.
DIR. Sims, in his introduction, said the
miracles Of Jesus present the epitome of the
worlds suffering on the one side, relieved
by infinite tenderness on the other. The
miracle, from which the text is drawn, pre-
sents a condition often found in earnest
and noble lives. An epileptic son, idiotic
and dumb, the victim of frequent spasms,
is brought by his father to the Savior with
the request that 'if thou canst do anything,
have compassion on u.s." The reply of the
Savior is 'if thou canst believe, all things
are possible to him that believeth." The
limitations are with our faith. not with
Gods power. Then comes the honest dec
laration Of an earnest doubling soul. Lord,
/ believe, help thou my unbelief."
DR.. Sims continued by saying that there
are many earnest people who would give
anything TO know that Christianity Is true,
who are troubled with doubts from which
they would gladly be free. Christian faith
its evils. 1t proposes to heal a man of
his sinful habits and establish him in
righteousness; TO give him consolation and
peace In the days of trouble; to assure him
MIN. beyond this world, happy reunion
with friends in an eternal lie.
realm Hai Of of faith neSe not nc demonstration e
Religion teaches personal God. yet no
man has seen Him at any time nor can We,
by knowledgs find Him out t. The The, doctrine dt ne
knowledge. A sheltering Providence can
be beloved, but not demonstrated No trav-
eler has returned from the spirit world to
bring testimony. of the. future life, and
for many men TO accept faith requires a
struggle. There is the longing for GER
tainty If people could only know where
they are compelled to trust, the way would
be easy. The most earnest souls. the great
leaders and reformers have suffered in this
conflict with doubt. There is a serious
side in Luther's throwing an inkstand, at
the devil. Bunyan's doubling castle has
held many a prisoner. Personal conflicts
there were no God to befria"d them. Noble
enterprises go down from mistakes of judg-
ment the wickedness of men. Personal
and makes people despair. But. there is a
victory over all OF this; simple reverent
obedience, as demonstrated by the noblest
lives. grows up into beauty and harmony
felt to be communion with God A bunch
of keys are thrown into our hands with
which to unlock the, doors of a treasure
house When the doors have been un-
locked the bolts pushed back and the treas
ure found people are satisfied that the keys
are true.
$50 does reverent obedience open to the
soul every spiritual joy and elevation" con,
tinued DR. Sims. "The first explorers OF
the Mammoth cave fastened the end OF a
ball of Irvine at the entrence and unrolled
as they proceeded from chamber to cham
Der. In their return they simply followed
the Irvine into the light. So does reverent
and obedient faith bring every man into
the light. We may go down in trial as did
Job. but the end is peace. We may meet
contradictions. as did Abraham. but expert,
ence vindicates faith. The simple rule for
as he sees it. follow truth as il is revealed
and this path. like that OF the. just. shines
more and more to the perfect day..