The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-11-24
SUNDAY AT
THE CHURCHES.
Rev. w. A. Provinces Ser
mon at the
FIRST CUMBERLAND CHURCH.
Glorious Weather and Large Congrega .
tiuus at all of the Churches.
FIRST CUMBERLAND CHURCH



Rev. w. A Provine preached to the
congregation of the First Cumberland
Presbyterian church Sunday morning,
on "The Basis of Belief in Christi" TAX
ing as his text John 14:11-"Believe me
that | am in the Father, and the Father
in me; or else believe me for the very
works sake" Following is the sub
stance of Mr.. Provinces remarks:
"There is deep undercurrent of
pathos in this text. Jesus is just about
to leave his disciples, after few years
of companionship, teaching and proving
His divinity to them. But as He would
leave them He is made conscious of
much unbelief in their hearts, going
even so far as doubt and skepticism.
Judas betrays Him. Peter denies Him,
Thomas is in discouraging doubts, and
Phillip either misunderstands or doubts
His divinity. Have been SO long with
you, and yet hast thou not known me,
Phillip? Believest thou not
that | am in the Father, and the Father
in me? Believe me that am in
the Father and the Father in me, or else
believe me for the very works sake
Every plainly Jesus here asserts re-
luctantly, an alternative for basis of
belief that is perhaps better than none,
but which is not the highest, and not
the one He had a right to expect of
those who had been so closely associa-
ted with him in the discipleship. The
two bases are: First, believe in His
person, and second, belief in His works.
"Giving consideration to the last of
these first, viz: that of works. we are
lead at once into the consideration of
the evidential value of miracles or
works; and as preliminary to any such
consideration it should be noted that
the subject is indeed worthy of study,
for they hold no insignificant place in
the record of the Gospel writer's, and are
a real and integral part of the same
While this dignity of record must be
noted, at the same time it is found that
Jesus gave no undue prominence to
them as the preferred medium of revela-
ton. In fact, more than once He de-
mlnded that the knowledge of them be
| kept secret.
''lt used to be assumbed by the old
teachers and christian apologists that a
miracle admitted, carried with it convic-
ton and belief, and it was asserted that
if men could be persuaded that the evi-
dence of the resurrection of Jesus was
complete, they would offer Him their
allegiance as their God and Lord. There
are certain forms of unbelief that are
wholly unaffected by miracle, and not
only one of the past, but a present mira
Gle would not carry conviction or allegi-
ance.
" In seeking to make universal rule
the old philosophers produced an aver
sion to their principles, causing the pen
dulum of thought to swing to the oppo-
spread teaching that Christ did not look
upon His miracles as attests to His di-
vinity in any sense, but that they were
simply the outgrowth of His character,
as His mercy and compassion went out
to humanity-ve veritable parallels in acts,
rather than in words.
"Thc evidential value of miracles is
especially helpful to those who may be
under peculiar burdens, and who are
struggling with trouble and trial, for it
is such who take comfort and consola-
ton in His power to work help for them,
exemplified in His miracle works.
Faith grounded on miracles is ever
on the defensive, and must have every
new argument answered, or it will fail
The highest type of faith, and one alto
gether to be coveted, is faith in the LORD
Jesus Christ. This is the most spiritual
and does not have to be on the defensive
but rests in growing love and increasing
affection. 1t is insight into the spiritua
worth of one unique in wisdom and holi
ness"
At night, Mr.. Provine preached on
Skepticism Versus Faith, or How the
Faithless Thomas Became Faithful" .
John 2025-29.