Untitled article by Vesta N. Cudworth

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 28, 1868

FAITH.

By Vesta N. Cudworth

Faith has been called “The mighty lever, which moves the arm, that moves the world.” It makes man almost omnipotent; for through it he is enabled to take hold of omnipotence, and use a power that is not his own. It is begotten by the Spirit, making man a co-worker with the Almighty. Faith is the gift of God, but is only one of the triple sisters that go hand in hand together, “These three, faith, hope and charity.” Withdraw love, and faith would die, or have nothing to work by. “Faith works by love” just as I would say “that press works by steam.” We have only to look upon the chart to see what faith has wrought. At such a place we see the massive walls of a city fall down. Imagine miles of solid brick or stone wall, many feet high, and many thick, tumble down all at once, touched not by mortal hand. At another point we see a man carrying the wondrous gates of a city on his back. And again, there is a mansion coming down with thousands within and upon its roof, shrieking in vain for help. We see the cause, a man has hold of the two main pillars, and with one gigantic effort the pillars are broken like a reed, and down comes the edifice. This was by faith. “By faith” we read “Enoch was translated.” This shows a different class of faith’s effects. There we see a man perhaps walking like other men, in a moment a heavenly retinue of angels near the earth; the man is changed; the immortal touch makes him all glorious and beautiful like his attendants; and they go up out of sight into Heaven.

Again we see hosts of martyrs, over fifty millions, down at this end of the journey. On the chart also, we find a great cloud of witnesses of those that have been killed, tormented, sawn asunder, starved, given to wild beasts, &c. Just imagine for a moment that this had all transpired at one time. The eye would not reach to the farthest martyrs that are bound to the stake, the air is burdened with a multitudinous cry of anguish mingled with prayers, praises, songs, &c. What think you enabled this vast multitude to give up their lives? Faith.

We read that it was through faith that Jesus Christ made the worlds. In Matt. xvii, 20, Christ told his disciples that nothing should be impossible if they had faith even like a grain of mustard seed, a very little seed. This looks almost like unlimited power.

The only way that we are to get a victory over the world is through faith. “This is the victory which overcometh the world, even your faith.” Let me illustrate, “Victoria” says, all that will come to England shall have a farm, a beautiful mansion and plenty of gold, free. Each man will act according to the proportion of faith which he has in “Victoria.” One says, I have not much confidence in her. I have a good farm here, I shall not take the trouble to change. He has no faith. But another says, I have some confidence in her, and if I can sell by sacrificing half I have, I will go; but I shall not run, or give away my place. His faith is weak, and it is doubtful if he ever gets there. But still another says, I have no doubt in this matter, I shall sell at any price, or leave all and go. I shall not wait a moment. That man will get there. It is just so with us, just in proportion as we believe Him that speaketh from Heaven, are our minds and hands unglued from earth.

But is faith believing without evidence, as is often asserted? I think not. In the first place there is much evidence that there is a God in outward things, yet the internal evidence that a Christian has is far stronger than all the outward. This stupendous globe, the order and harmony of its seasons, and of the spheres, the smallest blade of grass, and the stately tree, with its million-leaved mantle, the spotless lily, and the tiny snow-flake, triangular, hexagonal, with diamonds, stars, and spangles, pure and white, the dome of melted lava that spouts from the fearful crater, or upheaves the ground by earthquake, the lightning tongue of flames—all, all cry that we had a Maker. The telescope and microscope reveal things that are wonderful in wisdom. The fulfillment of prophecy has been so complete, that it almost staggers infidelity. The Bible is acknowledged to be the Book of books, but its Author is appreciated only by faith. “No one knoweth the Father but the Son, and him to whom the Son shall reveal him.”

But the Christian travels back, by faith, to the manger. That Babe is his Redeemer. He goes with him to the temple where he is found discoursing, and disputing upon knotty questions with those learned doctors and lawyers. He is beginning to manifest the God-like wisdom that fits him for a prophet here, a priest in the heavenly places, and the future King of the world, and heir of all things. He weeps with him in the garden, worships at the cross, gazes mournfully on those nails driven through his blessed feet and hands, and on the mocking crown of thorns. They know him the man of Calvary. It is “Jesus,” the sinner’s friend, and as he cries “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” the Christian bows his head in grief. It wrings the heart with anguish; but still with streaming tears they sit down and wait around that rocky room; for all, all they love lies buried there. But with joy they see him rise and go home to his Father. And there the Christian sees his great High Priest, first in the outer sanctuary, as in the one made from this original pattern, then lastly in the “Holy of holies,” as he is to-day doing up the last work for man, judging his people whose sins are “going beforehand to judgment.” Yes, we know “Him.” He answers our prayers. His Spirit witnesses with ours, that we are the sons of God. He has sent us his peace that he promised to send. We know through faith, “what flesh and blood has never revealed,” that he is the “Son of God.”

But this is only a small part, both of the internal and external proof that there is a God, and that he is a rewarder of all who diligently seek him. Now brethren, we are nearing the time when we must have perfect faith to stand, to be translated. Oh! who will be able stand? “He that hath clean hands, &c. Ps. xxv, 3-5. “Faith not only works by love, but purifies the heart and overcomes the world.”

VESTA N. CUDWORTH.

Springfield, Mass.