River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-05-26

THE Gospels give US two dis
" tinctly different miracles OF
feeding the multitude in the
wilderness places. On one occa-
sion the number fed was five thou
sand and on the other four thou
sand. In one instance it was lad
who provided five small barley
cakes and two fishes; in the other
case the disciples themselves had
seven loaves and a few fishes. In
one instance twelve baskets full of
fragments were gathered after the
repast; in the other seven baskets
full. St. Matthew's Gospel records
both of these miracles. In both in
stances there was seeming neces-
sity for the miracle, and the neces-
sity prompted our Lords compass
sion and the use of the Divine pow
er. 1t will be noticed that in these
instances the Master used for the
benefit of others the special powers
communicated to him at the time of
his baptism through the descent of
the holy Spirit; but we recall that
Jesus refused to use the same pow
er selfishly for his own comfort,
even when he hungered after having
spent forty days in the wilderness
at the outstart of his work, studying
the Scriptures to kl..w the mind of
the Lord, how he should suffer and
become the Mediator of the New
Covenant.
Not all, even of those who aSsoci-
ated with our Lord, understood, ap-
preciated, believed in his wonderful
miracles. Where there is a desire
to disbelieve there is also a posi-
bility. Indeed, the Scriptures are
evidently quite true in their assur-
ances that faith is difficult matter
at the present time and that for this
very reason it is specially appreci-
ated of the Lord in those who pro-
TESS to be his followers. The Scrip
lures intimate that faith is gift of
God, while, at the same time, it is a
matter of our own exercise. 1t is
for God to set forth the facts and
bring them to our attention. 1t is
for us to be able to appreciate those
facts and to exercise the faith cor
responding. AS the scriptures de-
clare, All men have not faith"
Without faith it is not possible to
please God;" According to thy
faith be it unto thee"
God has not made faith equally
possible to all, in that he has not
given mankind the same opportuni-
ties for exercising faith by not CIV
ing all the same. degree of knowl-
edge upon which to base faith.
And even amongst those who have
the necessary knowledge, faith must
depend considerably upon the
structure of the brain. Some peo-
pie have scarcely anything of faith;
others with a different structure of
brain, are inclined to believe too
much-to be credulouS and easily
hoaxed.
While God declares that none can
be of his Church now being called
unless they have faith, including
the necessary knowlt dye as a basis
for it, yet he does not say that those
who have not the knowledge and
have not the faith will, on that ac-
count, be turned over to demons for
eternal torture. On the contrary
such already suffer measure of de-
privation of JOY and blessing. Fail
ure on their part to exercise faith
should not bring upon them any adj
ditional disadvantages. God has
descreed that faith shall come by
hearing and hearing by the Word of
God" and none can believe except
they hear, and that none but the be-
lieving will h ave part n the
Church's salvation row being eff
fected. But he has equally decreed
and arranged for the great mass of