The Alaska citizen., 1916-03-06
BY THE REV. G. c. BRUCE.

 or to an organization. or a society CT even a church for salvation. in stead of the grace of God. he is in no better coadition than the man floating down the Niagara River toward the falls on log. The man had an opportunity to choose the rope anu he spurned it: he went on over the cataract of de struction. Faith. though it may seem a slender cord with which d man can be connected with God yet it is enough to save him who makes the connection with Almighty God Infinite power on the shore pulls in the cord and all those con nected herewith it is so sad to sec those who are passing over the falls to eternal destruction. for so simple reason that they will not lay hold tho cord of faith
 i. Again, faith is chosen as the channel of salvation because tt touches the springs of action. You will not think it a wrong statement if someone brings to your atton tion the assertion that faith has to do with all the common things of life. We never do anvtNir 7 without faith of some sort If you walk across the room you exercise faith in your legs to carry you to the other side. You eat becaUsn you believe that food is necessary for the building up and sustainng of your body Every day you place business world you exercise faith in mon whom you have never seer and doubtless may never meet; yet you have faith in them. You ac cepted a check from stranger in payment of a debt because you believe the bank will honor that little scrap of paper. Columbus sailed on. and on and on. because hn believed that he would find a new route 70 India The Pilgrim Fathers brought their families to America because they believed they could more surely develop the laws of liberty and the pursuits of hap piness The world is in the hor- TOTS of the most destructive var in its history because men of al the nations interested believe that they are doing the best thing to promote the welfare of themselves and the world. Yes. grand deeds have been done by faith and most evil ones, too. Faith works w0r- ders by the hand of the man in whom it dwels. Faith in it's nat ural forms enters into all life witt telling effects. Who can say that the man who derides God, and faith in His Nr"mie0N. is not H man who in an evil way. has the most of faith: indeed he falls into a cro, ulity which would be ridiculous if it was not sad and disgracefu God gives salvation 10 faith becQus" tv SO doing He touches the mairsnrirgs of action in the life and the emo tiOns of our being Cod alone pos sesses the battery with it's current of power. and when we make the connection with Him through faith He sends the sacred current all through our being, thus creating life. and power, and light and love. To believe in Christ brings the heart into possession of Cod. then man turns from sin, is moved to repentance, holiness, service, prayer, consecration, and every oth- or gracious thing that follows iH the train of His divine blessings
 5. Faith has the power of work ing by love Faith influences the affections toward God, and draws the heart after the best things. He that believes in thing or 4 per son will have little difficulty in loving the thing or person. The man who believes in God will love God. Faith is indeed an act of the understand ing, but it also proceeds iron, the heart With the heart man be- lieveth unto righteousness;" ard SO God gives salvation over to faith because it resides so near the af factions, and too. it is so akin to live; and love is the paren- ard nurse of every holy feeling and action. Love to God is obedicrce of faith Love to God is holiness in action. To love God aTd to love our fellow men is to be con. formed to the image of Chris; and this is salvation indeed Faith is necessary; and grace is necessary: and love is necessary. Yes neccs- cary that you may enter the king dom of heaven.
 ! G. Then faith creates peace and 1 Joy He that possesses faith is at rest is tranquil in his heart and mind, Is glad and joyous in every notive of life; this is prepara- tion for eternal glory Cos, gives all heavenly gifts to us because We can use them after we ara through with the world. faith works in uS