The Washington herald., 1908-05-17
A SUNDAY TALK.

For now We SEE through glass darkly; but then
iaee TO face now I know IN part but then shan
know even as ! also an known
This verse from the Epistle Of 81. Paul
to the Corinthians. one of the best-known
and oft-quoted ia the Bible, points as to
the urgent need OF faith. Mystery on all
sides! And faith the only star in the
darkness and uncertainty" said Amiel;
and other philosophers have voiced the
same cry, which is but a rephrasing Of
the words of St. Paul. For all of as see
through glass darkly," and Of the road
Ne have TO travel We are not sure Of
even one short step ahead. Even though
We do not acknowledge 1t to ourselves, II
is only faith that moves US; for if We had
net faith that by our striving and en-
deavor we might get nearer to the much
to-be-desired goal, who Of US is there
would have courage to stir about his
duties?
Said Benjamin Franklin:
Ny faith leads nc to hope that the divine good.
ness win still be exercised toward me- either by Iro
longing the duration q happiness to the close
Of life. OF by giving fortitude 10 support any
melancholy reverse which mas happen 10 me. Ny
| future fortune is unknown but 70 Him Ia whose
hand Is our destiny, and who can make oEF Tery
afietions subserieut 70 oilr benefit,
There can be no real happiness in this
world without measure OF faith, for
without faith 20 what end shall a man
strive? Why shall a man toll and take
pains and labor all his days, combat sin,
avoid temptation, and practice virtue save
/ for the ultimate reward? And we, seeing
/ through a glass darkly," cannot perceive
the g0al It is alone the eye Of faith that
| assures US that ali worthy effort, all fine
| ambition, all honest striving in sincerity
/ of purpose, leads as at last 10 the
throne Of God At every epoch there lies.
beyond the domain of what man knows,
the domain Of the unknown, which is I'm
| the hands OF God and It is there that
faith Gwells. Faith, which has no proofs
to offer; no evidence 20 adduce; faith
| that can only offer itself and which can
appeal not to the mind. but to the soul
| OF man. Faith Is certitude without
proofs. II Is the divine light that shines
| through the darkened glass of finite
sight.
| 1t viii help US all greatly II we have
but faith IS know that in everything we
do. everything we think, everything We
hope for, We are In Gods hands: that
we are doing IN our humble way the
! work that He appointed US to DO, and
| that Il Is TO Him, the Master. that when
the work Is done and the opportunity
has passed we have to account. II viii
help us If We recall what Robert Brown
ing wrote
God smiles IS De has always smiled
ETe sans ana moons C1ud and wane
ETe stars were thuudeTgFth or piled
The heavens. God thought on ne his child;
Ordained a life for me, anmyed
Its circumstances. ever ere
To the minatest: age God said
| This head, this head should rest upon
Thus, ere be fashioned star or sun
To have faith in such a doctrine is 10
feel oneself more than a man; more than
one of a multitude of human beings
each with selfish end. II IS 10 know
oneself as an agent OF the Most High
and 10 be stimulated by the thought that
II Is not one own work that a man is
doing in the world. but Gods To have
faith in this is TO be able TO say with
Joy Ia the heart
know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in sir;
| only know ] eannot drift
BeyOnd His logs and care