Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-10-12
FAITH AS AN ABIDING POWER.

Tue tNtHith' AbN fi'h'R9 "iN ANb"NNt-
ed TO attend to this arrangement.
FAITH AS AN ABIDING POWER.
To the Editor
over the door Of a shop In a certain
place was this sign: "All manner OF
twisting and turning done hele." Such
a sign should be over the door Of the
Editor Of the News
Just few points require further no.
tice Al fair minded people will UNI
derstand that did not speak app
PANTY when used the terms kinder
garten and "gratutous." The Kinder
gaitell method rs the Object-lesson me-
thod,. and the use Of that method Is a
reflection upon none but the learners.
The greatest philosopher IN the world
would have to convert himself into
kindergarten teacher If he made chill
dren understand him. This is what
the greatest Of all Teachers did. IL
Paul had said that speaking IA tongues,
etc, would cease with the end OF the
world, he would have stated a self
evident proposition, which the editor
Of the News" can name to suit him
self IL he does not like my term. But
this Is exactly what he does not say
and was defending him against the
charge that he does There is a vast
difference between charging Paul with
making gratuitous statement. and
charging that certain Interpretation
Of his words would force him into a
gratuitous statement
In HE zeal 10 support an untenable
position, the editor Of the News"
makes this reckless assertion: signs
were not given TO make people believe.
But as the result OF faith in God" The
power 60 work miracles was In part
the result OF faith on the part Of the
performer, but the purpose OF miracles
was TO produce faith In those who Wit
messed them. That ye may know
that the Son Of Man hath power on
earth to forgive sins lie saith unto
the sick Of the palsy arise, take up
thy bed and walk" Again IF We
believe not my words, believe me for
the very WORKS sake" Again John
says, MANY other signs did Jesus
which are not written in this book, but
these are written that ye might be-
lieye' Such quotations could be
multiplied indefinitely.
II Is not true that Jesus throughout
His ministry, always attributed His
miracles to the faith Of the subjects
Ii Is true that In most cases their
faith was made TO play part but there
are numerous Instances OF where there
was an absence Of faith In the sub
feet | mention the case Of the widows
son at Main the man at the pool Of
Bethesda and the child healed when Je-
sus came from the mount OF transng-
uratiOn. In this last case the best the
father could say was, III thou canstW
Jesus could work miracles without the
faith Of the subject, but He was here
to appreciate the value Of faith as well
as TO demonstrate the power OF God.
hence when II was possible. he sought
to have the faith OF the subject CO.
operate with His power.
The editor Of the News has not
touched my exegesis Of Cor. 10: SIG
and until he does his affirmation that IL
IL directly opposed 20 my view Of the
question under discussion, must be taxi
en- at It's real value, The lith chapter
follows the 18th. That chapter is de-
voted to the depreciation OF tongues
and the appreciation of the better
way shown In the 18th chapter Take
one verse. 81 thank God / speak with
tongues more than ye all. howbelt In
the Church | had rather speak five
words with my understanding. that |
might instruct others also. than ten
thousand words In a tongue" PauTs
estimate Of the relative value OF the
two Is as five 10 ten thousand.
The worlds lack Of faith. which Is
n 10 10 i.
call for miracles, but purer life and a
deeper spirituality In the Church II
is the lack OF purity. peace and love m
the Church that accounts for the pre-
valence OF unbelief. and not because
there are no miracles performed \
Church may have power 10 speak with
tongues OF men and angels, yet II Il
have not purity, reverence. righteous
ness, and the other graces that adoTn
the Christian character all its profes-
sions are as sounding brass and clang-
ing cymbals, II Is gratifying 70 noe
that a realization OF the truth OF this
seems 10 be taking hold Of the minds o.
men generally, and We are hearing the
more fragrant forms OF sin rebukel anil
an appeal made for more spiritual liy-
ing Let the good work go on. II Is
Gods way"
With these words OF explanation my
part In this discussion win close
W H. BAGBT.
We give place TO the foregoing letter,
80 that the writer may not have cause
TO complain that he had not the PRIV.
ilege Of being heard, on his side Of
the question which has been discussed
by the Ministerial Association and to
some extent IN these columns.
The opening sentence In Rev. w. H.
Bagby's remarks Is an old and thread
bare gag" common once In schcolboy
debates. and gives no strength to his
argument but simply draws attention
70 his own turning and twisting"
evasions and assumptions Our read
ers know. that we have met the gentle
mans assertions squarely. and avoided
no point that he has presented which
was pertinent 10 the issue.
There was no occasion for the state
ment that ne ala not use the terms
kindergarten and "gratuitous" Zip
PANTY. No one accused him Of doing 80
But he called the manifestations OF The
power and presence Of God" IN the
days OF the ancient prophets and Of