Evening journal., 1910-04-02

Faith In God consists In taking him az
his word-accopting and believing his Rev
olation OF his Character and his Plan In
respect 10 ourselves and others. We should
clearly distinguish between faith and
credulity. Some very good people make the
mistake OF supposing that the more ah-
surd the thing which they believe. the
greaAer Is the faith. Faith does not spurn
reason. but uses Il with certain prescribed
and rational lines. In order TO have faith
In Cod we must first satisfy our reason
Ing faculties:
(al That there IS God
Cb) That he has a dependable character
is Just is WISE is powerful; IS Gracious
(c) We must reasonably assure ourselves
that what we accept as his message Is
worthy OF acceptance--bears marks OF
truthfulness and harmony with the Divine
Character. He who does not seek such evi-
dences as a foundation for faith is merely
credulous-not faithful
Because so many Christian people ignore
the proper definition OF faith many can
did minds are repelied from Christianity,
refusing. they tell US, 20 believe absurdl-
ties We urge Christian people to a more
rigid examination OF their faith In God
and I'm the Bibe. that, as the Apostle SAYS
We may be able TO give a reason for the
hope" the faith, that Is within us. q
/ Peter sl5) We owe this to ourselves as
well as TO those whom we would endeavol
to interest In Gods Word. In tho light
now shining upon Gods Word it is posi-.
BILE. as Il was IN the days Of the Apostles
for the man Of God 20 be thoroughly fur.
nished and ablo to rightly divide the
Word OF Truth and 90 show TO his frlendl
and ncighhors solid logical grounds fol
each Item OF his faith. We admit that thi
was not. apparently, possible during tho
dark period which interviewed between The
first century and now. knowing how &,
sympathize with the many who have per
pexities respecting the reliability Of thu
Bible as the inspired Word OF God W.
invite correspondence from such. feelinl
sure that we can assist them.
our present study illustrates faith from
four different standpoints.-
d The faith OF Jalrus, tho father. OF
behalf OF his daughter.
cd The faith Of the woman who ON he
, own account. touched tho hem Of on
J Lords garment.
! (S) The faith Of tho two blind men VIII
encouraged one another.
(O The faith Of those who brought Z
+ the Lord a deaf and dumb man possessc
OF demon.
= Jairus the ruler Of tho synagogue
fNapernaum. our Lords home city, kne.
Jesus well. He sometimes called upon hhi
TO read tho Sabbath lesson Duke 4:l6
ON a previous occasion with others I
! entreated the Lord on behalf OF the Gel
turion's servant CLuko 7:D. Now afnicti,
had invaded Jairus home Tis on
daughter, twelve years old. was dyin
- The Master had been absent across q
sea. Amongst tho throng awaiting hi
was Jairus, who. because OF his proml
ence as a representative man. was props
ly given first audience. lie manifested
~ faith not merely by his request that
Lord would come and heal his daught
but also by his conduct In prostrati
% himself. nguratlvely expressing his no
age, obedience and faith. He had left
daughter IN a dying condition. She "
dead az the time that he was talking
Jesus and urging haste Before tn
reached tho house messengers came. sa
ing that II was too ate that she was de5
r When Jesus arrived. neghbors had gat
cred IN harmony with the Jewish custol
Some were playing doleful tunes ON flute
others we're groaning and lamentng. I
b was the custom for the females Of far
'r lly and ncighborhood when they heard
s- a death, 10 give a shrek and then TO co
% tinue murmuring, mourning as they e
10 tered into the death chamber awhile lat,
ol The Master bade All these 10 depart. llgt
D. ly saying. THE maid is not dead. b
D. slecpeth." The language Is slmi ar to th
used respecting Lazarus. She was dea
according to the usual human eXpressio
But she was not dead from the Divi
standpoint-not extinct az ls brute