FAITH by Eliza H. Morton

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, March 4, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 10

FAITH

By Eliza H. Morton

BY ELIZA H. MORTON.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The life of the Christian is a life of faith. God cannot be seen with the natural eye. Heaven is far beyond mortal vision, and the angels are invisible. We behold not the Saviour as he walked the earth; we saw not his agony; we looked not upon his death or his resurrection: but we believe these things, and know that they are eternal truths. Faith gives vitality to the past, and glory to the future. The unseen is made manifest by faith; for the Christian lives above the world, and has a hold on heavenly realities.

The more faith we have, the higher we rise above the clouds of earth, and the more unreal seem earthly pleasures. The many-mansioned home is a myth to the worldling, but to the believer it is something tangible. Faith looks beyond the veil of fleecy clouds, blue air, and darkness, and sees a “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

It may be said that a life of faith is a life of uncertainty, based on unreality; but this is not so: the things we believe are revealed in the word of God, and demonstrated in our own experience.

Without faith in divine things, what is life? What is its object? What is its end? The infidel fails to tell us. The worldling gives no answer. Nature reveals nothing, and we are left in darkness.

God often tries the faith of his children. Ill-health, adversity, and bereavement, may fall like sharp arrows from a quiver, drawing drops of blood from the heart; but patience and faith will be followed by soothing balm that will heal the deepest wounds.

Affliction tests the soul, and draws it near to God. All along life's journey, faith sprinkles flowers; and when the dark, massive portal that leads to silent chambers is reached, faith opens the door softly, and sheds a mellow light of glory over the coffin, the shroud, and the grave. The mourners can see with the eye of faith a morning when those white eyelids will quiver with life, those glassy eyes sparkle with joy, those pale hands gently unfold, those frozen lips breathe words of love, while the golden sunshine of an eternal day makes earth a pleasant land forever.

Battle Creek, Mich.