The Soldier's Faith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 4, 1864

The Soldier's Faith.

THE following story is told of a soldier in the army of Napoleon I. One day, when the Emperor was reviewing his troops in Paris, he thoughtlessly let fall the reins of his horse from his hands upon the animal's neck, whereupon the startled and proud charger galloped away; and before the rider could recover the bridle while clinging to the saddle, a common soldier ran out from the ranks, caught the reins, stopped the horse, and placed the bridle again in the hands of the Emperor.

“Much obliged to you, Captain,” said Napoleon. The man immediately believed the Chief, and said, “Of what regiment, Sire.”

Napoleon, delighted with his quick perception and ready trust in his word, replied, “Of my guards!” and rode away.

Now, what will the soldier do? Will he wait awhile, and talk about it, and try to reason himself into the conviction that he is to be Captain, or that he may really set out at once upon that office? Or will he believe fully and act immediately? He might have said, “I have no captain's uniform, I am not conducted to the superior officers, nor am I introduced to them. I must wait for further evidence or demonstrations before I really believe that I am captain, or at least before I act upon any such supposition.”

But, no! he was not so faithless. As soon as the Emperor left, he laid down his gun, saying, “He may take it who will,” and instead of returning to the ranks whence he so suddenly issued, he started for the company of staff officers. They were amazed at his apparent rudeness and disobedience of orders, and one of the Generals contemptuously said, “What does this fellow want here?”

“This fellow,” replied the soldier proudly, “is Captain of the guard.”

“You, my poor friend, you are mad to say so,” was the answer of the superior officer.

“He said it” replied the soldier, pointing to the Emperor, still in sight.

“I ask your pardon, sir,” said the General, respectfully; “I was not aware of it.” And so the soldier came duly to his post as a Captain of Napoleon's guard.

The soldier had faith in the Emperor's word. It was that which brought him his promotion. Oh, for all men to have as much faith in God as they have in men! The Lord says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Sinner, why not then immediately believe and be baptized? Why do you wait? Ah! you look at the subject from your own weak and worldly and selfishly biased reason, and not from faith. Why not stop and believe and act with no delay? It is the way for you to be saved.

What better way will you find, if you do not believe? Who has ever found a better way? “Their rock is not as our rock.” Do not wait for the slow and unsatisfactory and unsaving process of self-persuasion. Your heart is too wicked to be saved in that way. You will perish while you stay to reason. You know enough of the Bible and the way of salvation to believe immediately.

Christians, there is a practical truth here for you. See to it that you repent toward God; that you surrender your all to Him; that you take up every cross, then immediately

believe that you are what the Lord declares you are if you thus comply with His Word. Believe and feel the comfort and strength of believing. Live not on self-persuasion, but on faith, then the life that you live will be by faith on the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.

Dr. Malan, in commenting on the foregoing anecdote, says, “As he (the soldier) believed himself to be a captain before wearing his uniform; so, on the word and promise of God, one believes himself to be a child of Jesus before being sanctified by his Spirit.

Yes, thank God, we are not to wait to see ourselves perfectly sanctified before believing that we are justified by faith. We are accepted and justified if only we believe with the heart unto righteousness—unto the love and thirsting after righteousness—and then we may pray that we may be wholly sanctified; and that the body, soul and spirit, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of the day of the Lord Jesus. “Neither be ye of doubtful mind” any more.