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Roman Catholic church. They live in a little town surrounded by villages, in which there are many converted families; and as Antonio has as yet no school-house, he teaches the children three times a week at his own house, and sets them tasks to do on the other days at their own homes, when they are not working in the fields with their parents. The rest of his time is devoted to Scripture reading. His health is quite re-established, and with the help of a stick he is able to walk without much fatigue.

Jean has promised, when he dies, to leave him the walled-up Bible, which Antonio never sees without a feeling of shame and remorse. In the mean time Jean reads it constantly, and learns every day more and more to appreciate the great mercy of the Almighty in leading him to renounce a religion of eye service and ceremonies for that which the Saviour announced to the woman of Samaria. "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”*

FAITH IN CHRIST.

FAITH is belief upon testimony. Most of the knowledge which we possess we obtain through faith; that is, through belief of what we read, or of what some one tells us. For example, you never saw Napoleon Bonaparte, and yet you are as fully convinced that he lived as if you had personally known him. Why are you so thoroughly convinced that there was such a man? Simply because you have testimony to prove the fact, which you cannot doubt any more than you can doubt your own existence.

It may be you never saw the city of Rome, but you are perfectly sure there is such a city; and if business or pleasure called you to visit it, you would leave your own country, feeling certain of beholding this renowned capital if you continued your journey. The testimony in this case you do not think of calling in question even for one moment.

It is probable that you have never determined for yourself the size and distance from the earth of the sun and the

*John iv. 23, 24.

moon, and the various planets belonging to our solar system; and yet you accept, without hesitation, the testimony of practical astronomers on this subject.

The truth is, God has so constituted us that we are bound to receive and to act upon credible testimony with as much confidence as we rely upon the evidence of our own senses. If a person whom you had known from your childhood, and whom you knew to be strictly truthful, were to come to you while reading these words, and say that a building had just fallen, and buried beneath its ruins a very dear friend of yours, would you not believe him, and would you not rush to the scene of the disaster in a state of excitement and grief? You would not only accept his testimony as true, but his testimony would control the feelings of your heart, and govern your conduct.

But if this person, who had never deceived you, and had never jested, should make a distinct and solemn promise that he would do for you on a certain day something for which you were exceedingly anxious, would you not expect the fulfilment of the promise? Would you not rely on him to be as good as his word? Would not the bare promise impart to you a feeling of relief and of pleasure? I am sure it would, and simply because you believe that he is able and willing to do what he says he will do. Let us suppose that you are in business, and, owing to sudden reverses, find yourself unable to pay a bill which is due. You go to this person, who has heretofore aided you when in need, and ask him to lend you the necessary amount. He replies, "I am sorry I cannot do it, for my own obligations require the use of all the money I can command.” You turn away in distress and perplexity, not knowing where to apply for assistance. But suppose the next morning after this interview your old and tried friend comes to you and says, "Since our conversation yesterday I have unexpectedly made arrangements by which I can let you have the money you want, and if you will come to my office at eleven o'clock to-day, I will give you a cheque

for it."

Now, what is the ground or the reason of the satisfaction and delight with which you would receive this announcement? Clearly your faith in the man. You would believe that he could lend you the money, that he was willing to do it, and, inasmuch as he had promised to do it, that he would do it; and hence, by simply believing what has

been said to you, your mind is relieved of all anxiety concerning the payment of the bill.

So then, if a man in whom you have faith seriously promises something which he claims to be able to perform, you will accept what he says as true; and if he seriously makes you a promise, you will certainly and confidently rely upon him to fulfil it.

And now let us apply this to the question of your salvation. I take it for granted that you believe the Bible to be the word of God, and consequently that it is true. Well, you read in this inspired book a great many historical statements concerning various nations and individuals. The impression produced by these statements will not greatly differ perhaps from that produced by reading accounts of similar providential dealings in the history of the United States, or of England, because you do not feel that you are personally and intimately affected by them.

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But you also read that "the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."* "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judg ment."† It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."‡ If you really believe these solemn declarations, and feel your own sinfulness, the unavoidable result will be anxiety and fear.

In your distress you turn to other portions of the sacred Scriptures, and read, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."§ "He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."" "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."T "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”** "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."†† "And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."‡‡

There are many such precious invitations and assurances in the blessed word of God, setting forth the ability and the willingness of Christ to save sinners; nay, to save you,

*Psa. ix. 17.

§ 1 Tim. i. 15.

** Isa. lv. 1.

Heb. ix. 27.
Heb. vii. 25.

tt Matt. xi. 28.

Heb. x. 31. ¶ 1 John i. 7.

John vi. 37.

even though you are the chief of sinners. You may be the chief of sinners, but you can be no worse; and it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that He came to save the vilest of the vile. Now, if you believe this, why are you not rejoicing in hope of the glory of God? If Jesus Christ came to save you, and declares that he can save you, and that he desires to save you, and that he will save you, provided you but trust him; surely you ought to believe him this very moment, and lift the song of praise for his amazing grace.

But you may say, "I do not know whether the Saviour means me; and although I desire to believe on him, I cannot tell whether I really believe, or whether I am deceived."

If this is the state of your mind, a question which I am about to ask may assist you in understanding Christ's feelings towards you, and your feelings towards him. I desire you to be entirely honest with yourself, to examine your heart thoroughly, and to answer the question truthfully and intelligently, since it may reveal your real condition, and I trust bring immediate peace to your anxious soul. Now, taking it for granted that you believe the Bible to be true, you also believe that Jesus rose from the dead, and that he appeared to his disciples on many occasions. After forty days he ascended into heaven in his own body-the body they had seen and handled while he was upon the earth. That body is somewhere in the universe at this present time and could be revealed to us, if he chose to manifest himself, just as it will be at his second coming.

Now, the question I wish to ask is this: Suppose he should suddenly appear before you while reading these words, and you knew it was Christ the Lord, just as you know your most intimate friend. Suppose he should raise his hand, and say with his own voice," Son, daughter, thy sins be forgiven thee. I died that thou mightest live. I am able to save, I am willing to save thee. I do not desire thy death. I am not indifferent to thy welfare. I have come from heaven to give thee personal assurance of my interest in thy happiness. Just as thou art, without waiting even one moment, I offer to save thee if thou wilt but trust me. I am to pronounce the destiny of all men, and I now promise that when thou shalt stand before my judgment seat, I will not say, Depart from me, but,

Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for thee from the foundation of the world."

If the Lord Jesus were to make such declarations as these directly to you, while standing visibly in your presence, and looking upon you, would you believe him? Would you be satisfied? Would you rely upon him to fulfil his promise? Are you so much in earnest about your salvation, that you would trust him at once, and be willing even now to become his disciple, asking nothing, wanting nothing beside his own divine word to impart a hope of final blessedness? Stop and think before reading further. Think seriously. I ask again, would 'you believe these promises if made personally to you by the gracious Redeemer ?

Oh, if you would, rejoice and be exceeding glad, for he does make these promises in his word, and he makes them as truly, as directly, as sincerely to you as though you were the only sinner on the earth, or as though he stood visibly in your presence. He hath said, "Whosoever believeth shall not perish, but have eternal life."

He might commission an angel to convey to you the assurances of his power to save, and of his tender concern for your soul; he might engrave the declarations of his grace upon tables of stone for your special benefit; he might write his invitations in a letter, and send them in that form; but what would be the use of all this, when he has already addressed you, and addressed you personally, in his glorious gospel? If you believe not his earnest and solemn words found in the Bible, neither would you "be persuaded though one rose from the

dead." ""*

Faith, then, in the first place, is to believe that what Jesus Christ says in his word is true; and in the second place it is to rely upon him to fulfil his promise to save your soul.

It is, therefore, as simple and easy to exercise faith in Christ, as it is to believe an earthly friend, or as it is to trust in an earthly friend to do what he says he will do. Nay, it ought to be far easier, because an earthly friend may change, or may be unable to execute his purpose; but "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever," and "doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants *Luke xvi. 31. Heb. xiii. 8.

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