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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 13, 1872

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 40, No. 9.

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Faith.

By Jos. Clarke

It appears to have been the great aim of the New-Testament writers to inspire the readers of their writings with confidence and certainty as to the birth, life, death, and resurrection, of Jesus Christ; and they succeeded so well that the bare reading of their testimony has prevailed, to the discomfiture of paganism, and Romanism, and infidelity.
The design of these holy writers was evidently one; their hope and faith were one; they were not men of the world; they moved in another sphere—in a realm beyond this of ours.
It was not necessary for them to choose out a committee to write out a creed; but they wrote at different times, under different circumstances, and varied influences, as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit; and this one fact was the great foundation-stone of their faith that Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, and brought up by Joseph the carpenter, Jesus the son of Mary, did answer the prophetic delineation, both as to his birth, life, character, works, death, and resurrection.
Says John, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life, . . . that which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you.”
Says Peter, “And this voice, which came from Heaven, we heard when we were with him in the holy mount.”
Says Paul, “He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep; after that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles; and last of all, he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”
Infidelity may raise her idiotic head, and say it was all a farce or an imposture, and hold up to ridicule the statements of holy writ; but let her set herself to the task of showing how the Christian church has thrived amid opposition and persecution; let her show how it happened that ancient prophets foretold the events related by the evangelists; let them study carefully the two Testaments; let her compare dates and facts, then let her make out her case.
It is lack of faith, it is the darkness of man's mind, which causes doubt and unbelief, and unbelief causes recklessness and error. Faith must have rock bottom to set foot upon, and in the word of God this is found. Those who wrote that book were men of faith; they were anxious to place their all, for this world and for the illimitable future, in the hands of God.
All the prophets of the Old Testament peered into the future for the coming glory, and the writers and apostles of the New Testament gazed with rapt devotion, and wonder, and joy, upon the cross, then upon the sepulcher, where Peter looked for his Lord; then upon him who on the way to Emmaus explained to them his position, and then in the evening proved his identity by showing to them his yet open wounds; then in Galilee he comforted, instructed, established them; and then, with his ransomed captives, arose in majesty and left this dark earth, not visibly to return until he comes as a conqueror.
The writers of the New Testament wish their readers to have these facts indelibly fixed upon the mind, not as mere opinions, but as they felt them to be—living realities—as subjects to be much thought of and realized, so much so as to leaven the whole character and life, renewing, strengthening all that is holy and pure, and uprooting all that is wicked. Not only do the writers of the New Testament do this, but the inspired penmen of the Old Testament do the same.
Says David, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” No room for doubt here. God never employed infidels and doubters to write out the precious volume. The writers of that holy book felt no doubt, no wavering trust, but full, unlimited confidence in God. They were prepared to seal their testimony with their blood.
And the readers have been of like character. Millions have found life and immortality brought to light in the gospel; martyrdom and long imprisonment have been joyfully borne for love of the truth; faith in the facts related in the Bible has borne the myriads of sufferers above the rack and the flame, above defamation, insult, and scorn, and loss.
But faith goes not alone to successful warfare. Faith begets love; and without love she is a barren tree. Faith without love is only a parrot, or a mocking bird, or a machine without power to drive its wheels.
It is like the little steam tugs used in modern times to tow the shipping against wind and tide, as against the strong opposing current. These little giants bravely draw ships of great size and burden; so does faith attempt, and often accomplish, great things. She lifts heavy burdens, and daily bears her load of care, as a matter of course; why, this is her mission. As the steam tug labors most heroically, perseveringly, and with giant power; so does faith, but her power lies in God, not in the elements.
Jos. CLARKE.