The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-19

can stir the heart and move the will
 of man. For what after all. IS faitn
 in Christ? Why, It Is the capaeily m in effects? why, 1t ondows those who have it with the very nature itself or
 that which is Divine. For faith In
 Christ Is not sonethingfi apart from
 our nature, something eternal to us,
 something affixed to us from without
 On the contrary. it IS within. and has
 It's seat at the very springs of spiritu-
 inherent and original element of our
 being. By its exercise we live from
 day to day. and are brought into splr- dfuaI communication with the sublim-
 est possible object of faith :--Christ
 our Lord and Redeemer. And. in this
 conjunction with the Divine, faith M-
 self is made Divine. It partakes Of
 that which is the object of its belief.
 It becomes an individual force. an ali-
 cofiauering power, moving steadily on
 wards to it's goal. Heaven comes to its help. Omnipotence is ranged on its side. Faith in Christ is the source of all tune greatness of character. It
 makes men become kings and priests unto God. It inspires them with all
 might and patience and determination
 to rule their wills and subdue their NdASlQA6
 ike in their own characters those lofty ideals of which He Himself was ths perfect and only exponent
 See next. the effect upon others oI having faith in them It's power ls wonderful, as all human experience tes- tifles. It stimulates them to attain the highest of which they are capable. l tends to make them earnest, loyal ana true. It calls forth the finest qualities they possess. Indeed, we may say 1t almost plants within them the germs of goodness itself Faith in others. ai- ways. as we we'll know, prompts them and encourages them to do tkeir hest, Lack of faith has the opposite effect. It aiseeurages their efforts; 1t deters their activities and diminishes their powers. You recall how it was with our Lord Himself even. He could not do many mighty works among His own -people. we are told. Why? Be- cause they did not believe in Him. He was enabled to do miracles in behalf of people only on account of their faith in Him. .Believest thou that l can do this? was His crucial question. And His power depended upon the right answer. The same thing applies large Iy to us. When people have faith Tn us, believe in us, all feur capacities are set free and energfzed in the Held or usefulness and work, and the results are often surprising to ourselves and also to them.
 Look next at man who has great faith in, himself. I do not mean con ceit but that faith which expresses It. self in action, based upon definite pur- poses and fixed determination, He achieves results where others fail who are less endowed with this quality Of faith. His faith in himself inspires
 a .f zrzffl 1TfII90G into him resoluteness of character. It enables him to overcome all sorts of difficulties and endure manifold pri- vations It endows him with sim gleness of purpose which drives him ever onward to the fuIhllment of his desires. Moreover, he influences others until they catch the spirit of his taitn' and lend aid to his efforts, thus en- abling him to accomplish tenfold more than he could otherwise, His faith Tn himself gives him power to pluck up trees of difficulty in his way and cast them into the sea. He causes mar velIous results with ordinary talents and united opportunities, for his faith is unquenchable and irresistible.
 "Turn again to faith in Christ. How we need 1t, men and brethreni do not mean mere intellectual acceptance of the fact of His existence. but faith lu Him as a liNinEs pSfSohaA 9AFAoAt to whom affection Is given as Lord, and obedience Is rendered as King How we need the faith that manifests itself In sevvice for Christi How we need a faith that shall enable us to lead the ilfesaur Savior gave us the pattern. of-- q life which transforms us from day to day and fits us for eternity. How we should pray without ceasing for such faith, and pray also even as His dis ciples prayed Lord, increase our faith
 Tt is but as a grain of mustard seed. small and feeble. But 1t can increase and 1t must increase The means of increase have been freely bestowed. It is planted in good Christian soil. Our laying Father gives 1t the dew and sunshine of heaven. Our part is to re- move the things that cramp and hin- der its development and which lie largely in our own self-will and indif- ference, Thus do we help it's growth and foster its expansion until 1t brings forth much fruit.
 And so faith in Christ proves a miracle of grace and power in the soul, and we so on from victory to victory, because, through Christ, who strength enth us, we can do all things. Glory and praise. now and forever be unto His Holy NameW