The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-04

of His great love, His ten
der mercy. His wonderful sympathy
and marvellous sacrifice, and as the
earth responds to the touch OF God.
so the soul responds to Jesus, and
faith exclaims. My Lord and my
God.
How Faith Grows.
Faith may increase in strength of
grasp. At first little child tries to
creep; being encouraged. 1t soon rises.
stands erect, and makes an attempt
to walk. 1t takes a step. but falls,
then takes another step and another
and finally succeeds, yet it soon STUN
bles and down it falls, but it keeps
on trying to walk, till finally 1t sue
ceeds and not only is able to walk.
but is strong enough to run a race.
SO 1t Is with faith--at first it only
creeps; then it walks erect. and then
1t runs Its growth. If properly exer-
cised. Is gradual and constant until
buoyant and strong with the impulse
of new life. 1t mounts up as an eagles
wings, it runs and is not weary, 1t
walks and does not faint
The penitent one believes and his
sins are forgiven; he is tempted. but
he believes and overcomes.
Overcoming through faith on Jesus
gives him an acquaintance which
otherwise would never be his. Do
not regard it as an unkindness of
Providence that we are not free from
temptation.
I'VE are placed in this world Of sin.
where temptation abounds and enc
mics are all around us, and are told
to work out our own salvation with
fear and trembling. Az engaging in
many battles makes the raw recruit
a skilled soldier. so by resisting temp.
tation and overcoming the evil one.
We gain an experience with Jesus
that assures US of His presence and
help. and makes us fully realize we
are in His keeping. the everlasting
arms being underneath and round
about US.
The increase Of our faith should
be sought. first. that conscience may
properly discharge its functions
Faith has to do with Christ and His
truth. conscience with moral obltga-
ton. Faith receives Christ as the
Divine Teacher. and says His precepts
are true. Conscience says must
i'm polling US to obedience The more
perfect faith Is. the more powerful
conscience is in moving us In the
way of obedience. Conscience never
drives man beyond his faith A
man Is no, better than his belief. as
he thinketh in his own heart, so he is.
The Spartans believed there was no
sin In stealing. providing they were
not caught. 1t Is needless to say they
stole.
Saul thought 1t pleasing to
religion to prosecute the followers of
Christ He nprSerntnd than "han
his eyes were opened. and his faith
found the proper object, there was a
marked change in his treatment OF
Christs disciples In order that con-
science may keep a man up to the
work in the discharge of his religious
obligations, his faith must not only
rest on the proper object. but be
strong
Faith affects our affections Before
know Him. How can they believe
on Him OF whom they have not heard :?
To love the Saviour, we must believe
on Him. We must believe the record
God has given of His Son. 1t is when
man gets the vision of the love
and sacrifice of Christ, at the foot
of the cross. that his heart breaks,
and his affection lays hold of Jesus.
We must first believe that Jesus loves
US, before we can love Him. Love
follows our faith. We love Him be-
cause He first loved us.
Faith Is the handspring.
Faith is to the graces of the soul
what the handspring is to the watch.
II the handspring is broken. not a
wheel moves If the handspring Is as
it should be. every wheel moves, and
the watch is a true indicator of time.
If our faith is only as 1t should be.
then all the graces of the soul are in