FAITH VS. PHILOSOPHY

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 18, 1889

FromThe Signs of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 7

FAITH VS. PHILOSOPHY.

Baron Von Kottwitz, whose early life was spent at the court of Frederick the Great, and who was converted in a little Moravian church, devoted his life, his own estate and that of his wife, who entered into his plans with beautiful sympathy, to charity. He established new industries to cultivate self-help for the people wherever and whenever possible. In Berlin he took possession of some deserted old barracks and housed there six hundred families. The poor in Berlin are said to have been more familiar with his name than with that of the king.

Fichte, the infidel philosopher, once expressed a desire to meet him, and Baron Von Kottwitz, when he heard of it, with his accustomed humility, was the first to make a call. Fichte questioned him as to the motive and inspiration of his manner of life. Von Kottwitz, always true to his colors, acknowledged his implicit faith in God, and the great help he found in prayer. True to himself, Fichte replied:

“A child may pray, but a man wills.”

The old man said, “My dear Professor, I have six hundred poor families to feed, and often in the morning I don’t know where I shall get bread for them for the day. What can I do then but pray?”

With tears running down his cheeks, Fichte confessed:

“Dear Baron, that is beyond my philosophy.”—Selected.