p. 29 | THE TRIAL OF FAITH by E. Goodrich

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 12, 1860

THE TRIAL OF FAITH.

By E. Goodrich

WHEN the Christian starts out on his pilgrimage for the land of promise, it is with the love of God shed abroad in the heart. His desires are ardent and his prospects for heaven are bright. He feels that, as his sins are forgiven, and he loves every body, even his enemies, and is so happy in taking up the cross, and that it is so good to serve God, he will never be disheartened or get weary by the way. He feels that though all others should apostatize from the holy commandment delivered, yet he himself will not, but Elijah-like, will serve the living and the true God. Yea, he rejoices to think that if ever the time should come when his life should be demanded for the cause of his dear Redeemer, it would be a pleasure to die a martyr for his holy religion. To think that the charms of earth will ever allure, or that Satan will ever ensnare to that extent as to cause him to act unadvisedly, or sell his Lord and Master for thirty pieces of silver, is absurd. He is ready to exclaim as one of old, "But what! is thy servant a dog, that he should do this?"

But he is ignorant. He is ignorant of himself, ignorant of worldly influence on the old man of the flesh; and he is ignorant of Satan's devices. He knows not what sore temptations mean. "Distance lends enchantment to the view," and his heart is captivated by the glory of the picture that is before him. But things do not always thus remain. The novelty is made to vanish before the reality, and he is made to feel that to live religion, to deny self, to become crucified to the world, to live godly in Christ Jesus, are no idle words. And although it may be fair weather when he embarks, and fine sailing before the gentle breeze, yet there are fierce winds to contend with, and there are storms to outride, and many perils that endanger all on board; and unless he pays good attention to his Captain's chart and compass, and has a good anchor through grace divine, long before he reaches the haven of repose his frail bark may sink beneath the waves, or be driven upon the rock-bound coast and dashed to pieces.

Not that the young Christian has over-wrought views of the glory of God that is in reserve for them that love him, but he realizes not that in order to enjoy the bread he must pass through the narrow. Although he is told that he must fight to win the prize; that he must strive, yea lawfully, and conquer before he can be crowned; yet the full force of the truth does not impress itself upon the mind until he is made to engage in actual combat with fierce foes.

"The trial of faith." Men are commended for noble, daring deeds, and self-sacrificing actions. Trial manifests the real person; and those very adverse circumstances that are the most full of danger and losses, are the ones through which our courage, virtue, and constancy are the most manifested. The more tried the friend, the better he is loved. Trial does not make him an enemy, but a firmer friend.

The more gold is tried, the purer it becomes. So it is with the trial of faith. It does not make infidels, it only makes them manifest. It only discovers those false props upon which men are leaning while they suppose they are trusting in God, but in reality are trusting in the arm of flesh, and following Christ for the loaves and fishes only.

"The trial of faith," although it manifests the unbeliever and may cause him to murmur and even blaspheme the name of God, is designed only to break those ties that bind us to earth, and teach us to rely on God alone. In prosperity while friends seem true, the treasures of earth lasting, and our hearts are filled with the joys of this world, we quite forget the need of a divine Saviour. But when adversity comes, and the pleasures of earth are made to vanish, and love's dearest objects are for ever torn from our embrace, the utter emptiness of earth is felt, and we are forced to rely on God who is able to deliver or save to the uttermost, or we are driven to the region of despair that is illuminated neither by the flickering rays of earth, nor the more enduring light of heaven.

Courage then, knowing that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose; and nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. E. GOODRICH. Edinboro, Pa.