The National tribune., 1897-05-20

nothing if it is not q life-molding, life con-
| trolling power"
The Epistle is brief-only i've short chapters.
| 1t is the 18th epistle in our New Testament. 1t
| is addressed "to the IL tribes which scat
tered abroad -; that is to say, to all Jews liv-
ing out of Palestine. 1t exhibits Christianity
| from the standpoint of works-the practical
| side of Christ's religion. 1t does not depreci-
| ate faith while it magnifes works.
ST. JAMES THE LESS.
The author of the Epste was St. James. not
son of Alpheus Tor Cleopas). He one Of
the original Twelve Apostles. He was known
as st. James the Just. He was the first Bishop
of Jerusalem. In A. ID. 62 he became martyr.
He was hurled headlong from pinnacle OF
tho Temple. 1t did not quite kill him.
fuller passing along dispatched him with q
club. The Apostle was the OF the sister of
Mary, the Mother of Chrst's humanity. Ira
ditions say it was difficult to tell, when apart,
which was Jesus and which james.
Tradition tells us ST. James was called the
Less because so lew of stature as compared
with st. James the Evangelist. Some think
him SO called because he was the younger.
This st. James was President of the FIRST
Christian Council ever held, and very great
Difference was shown! by the fact that when
serious dispute existed between SITS. Peter and
Paul it was left to St. James TO give the final
decision.
Data-St. JAMES, g: 1926.
Time-About A. d. 81.
P2ace-St James wrote at Jerusalem.
iSu6ject-Faitle without works is dead.
author of the fcords-St. James the Less.
Let US look at some definitions of words and
phrases:
l. Profit ~ f4,) A negative answer is ex.
pected. What good to man is an alleged
faith-a faith that is not productive of utility :?
Notice the ILLUSTRATION in v. Is. Mere words
of no practical use to man wanting CLOTH
ing and food. 50, at the close of V. 10 is the
question. "What doth it profit
2. Say he hath filth. (14.J Such aith is merely
theoretical. Or1the person is in error and has
fession and not reality. True faith cannot
exist without being operative.
3. Faith SAGE. (14) An alleged faith is not
always real or genuine faith. Only true
faith, such faith forces the believer to work,
saves person. fEpb., 2:6)
4. Save. 14.) Give him happiness in this
life, comfort in sorrow, inspiration for work,
preparation for death aud the judgment.
5. Naked. (l5.) We are to understand, poorly
clothcd-wtbout enough clothing to be com.
Portable in cold weather-ragged. (St. Matt,
%: SO. 80. 43. "A; ST. john 81: Z; Cor, 4: LIZ
6. Warmed. (16) The call is for fuel aud ap-
parel--the eternal comfort of the body.
T. Filled. (l6) See destitute of daily food"
". 15.) The want is bread, ETC., to support the
inner cravings.
8. Gay (l6.) Mere words. The need was for
clothing aud food but all the person got was
polite invitation 10 pass OIL. Such treatment is
very unsatisfactory. So there is not any good
in merely saying you have faith. whilc you
show no fruit of it. As a pity-looking face,
unctous words soldering can't are Of no value
to the hungry and cold so mere profession of
1nyn f&G I'D md fnp al Ooya aCI,n
vapid, clammy, cold. depart in peace" means.
wish you well. But such words are mere
sounds, intended for the and not furnishing
coats nor bread. Be warmed" means, May
you get some raiment and fuel. BE filled"
means, l wish you may find some food.
8. Dead. 40 Dead faith. A thing that is
dead is not. dead faith is All alleged faith,
practically not faith. A dead thing is not
active nor useful. A faith that is alive is pro-
ductive of works. ". 26.)
FAITH SHOULD BE PROVED BY WORKS.
10. show faith. (1s) A faith shown must be
ohjectiied by works. The works give us reason
to believe the faith really exists Without works
faith is mere empty profession. Works
the fruits evidences of the principle of spirit
aud mind back of the works. So far as we are
concerned as to tho faith of q person, there is
no proOf.to US, except tho mans mere declara-
ton, that there is faith We, who cannot dis
Germ the spiritual as to our neighbors. have no
test as to the alleged faith of another other
than works. 1t is absurd to talk of one man
having faith and another having works, as
though faith and works can, by any analysis
be divorced. Where there is genuine faith
there are works. Abraham showed his faith.
Gen, 1876; %: LA; Ro.. 4:3; GAL. $50;
Heb, 11l7) So Rahab showed her faith
Josh, 2:1-7; Heb, IL: 3D.
IL. Derils beliere Q9.) But what good docs
ilo o. h.At
8 !: %, 29.)
IL. Justified by ,orks (21.) Not by works
alone. 1t is added justified when he had, to all
intent and purpose, sacrificed Isaac. To be
justified means TO be held as just in any given
act. ". 24) 49,
SUGGESTIONS.
1t is consistent only when faith produces
work. Profession aud action 80 together. John
Keble (lS22) wrote:
Only. 0 Lord, in Thy dear love,
Fit Us for perfect rest abOve
Aud help US, this and every day..
To live moro nearly as we pray"
Like beautiful flower. full of color but
without scent are tho fine but fruitless words
of him who does not act accordingly"
To lack faith is, in the grossest form, to be
in fidel, aud infideity (want of faith) is so out
rageons that at times We call an unprincipled
wretch, amiscreant,s man wanting in creience.
We account for his vileness by the fact he has
| missed the cultivation of faith in the good.
We may always act up TO our faith. God
gives faith to one receptive. Do not fear. If
prompted by sense OF duty, you arc led to
make great pecuniary offerings, great consider
| ing your means, do not be alarmed to measure
| deed by faith. God will never disappoint a
| faith that His Spirit engenders 1t is always
safe, even from worldly point, to equal the
measure of the influence OF the Holy Spirit.
Sir Philip Sidney said, more than three CEN
turtles ago: ITO what purpose should our
| thoughts be directed to the various kinds OF
knowledge, unless room be afforded for putting
it into practice SO that public advantage may
be the result?"
Be what you say. Be real. Away with
! hypocrisy. Christ said of the Pharisees "They
1 say and do mt fSt Mt 2. 3l