Abiding Faith - L.A. Bladwin (Triumphs of Faith 4.2)

ABIDING FAITH

BY L. A. BALDWIN.

The further we advance in the Divine life the more we realize our need of the Holy Spirit’s power and enlightenment. And how different is often now our interpretation of passages of Scriptur

e from what they once were, or from the teachings we received from others. We were told that disobedience to God’s command was the first sin of our first parents, but now we know that the disbelief of His Word was the immediate cause of their transgression. And we can trace nearly if not all our sins to our own unbelief in one way or another. There is something so peculiarly rectifying in the simple constant and instant faith that it seems evident if we exercise faith in Christ every moment, as we ought, our life is one of unclouded peace and sunshine and victory. The moment that doubt or fears creep in we begin to find trial and perplexities. If any one wants abiding rest let him live by faith.

Another text almost universally misunderstood is that faith is “the gift of God,” and many go deploring all their lives the lack of this gift. The verse we refer to has reference to salvation as the gift, as that which is before and that which follows plainly indicates, as seen in Eph. ii. How many come to us, generally in sincerity of heart, lamenting their incapacity to have faith in God’s own precious promises to forgive or to heal, because they have not received the “gift of faith.” This is all wrong. Christ says, “Have faith in God,” or in other words, believe what God has said, which surely He would not have commanded did He not know the power to believe was already and always ours. How foolish then, and how sad, for us to deny ourselves the blessing He has promised, just because we have thought He had to bestow what He has never withdrawn, our capacity to accept His Word and know it is verified to us when and only when we use the faculty He requires us to use to receive it.

Still another text that has puzzled the brains of very many besides our learned D.D.’s and Theological students, is about “the sin which doth so easily beset us.” Numberless have been the discussions we have heard on this subject, but we have only heard two persons who seemed to have gained the true meaning, and yet it is so plainly shown by the context what the apostle deemed “The sin”; and our whole lives and the tenor and habits of our minds can easily produce the interpretation; the lack of faith which is in us and the evil of it as compared with the faith of “the cloud of witnesses” who have gone before and leaving us such blessed example and evidence that we may well wonder at our unbelief.

Those of us who have learned the blessedness of relying wholly upon God, would wonder more at the woful unbelief there is everywhere evinced, were it not that we remember how long it was ere we could drop all things, even our own reason, education, learning and natural acquirements, so that faith might rule and we live by faith only.

Healed by the Great Physician - L.E.E. (Triumphs of Faith 4.2)

HEALED BY THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

BY L. E. E.

The excessively hard work in the schools for Freedman in the South during the year 1872 induced a sever illness, from which I never fully recovered. Over-work, anxiety, or under care, would cause always days-sometimes weeks-of prostration. Strength seemed slowly wasting, and in the fall of ’77 I was taken down with spinal fever. In the spring I gained a little, but the summer being a very hard one for me, I became much reduced, and when the cool weather came, was only able to move about the house very feebly, and with great pains. Again my old enemy, spinal fever, laid me low, and again I partly rallied so as to move around a little but after each attack I was weaker, more waited, more hopeless than after the preceding. Another year passed, and, as the leaves began to fade and fall, hope went out of my heart utterly. I was confined to the bed the whole time, and always in great pain.

The most skillful physicians had been consulted; humanly speaking, all had been done that could be done.

At this time a sister wrote me to write Dr. Foster, of Clifton Springs, N.Y., for his advice. She could not give up my recovery.

I wrote him, and in reply he said: “You are far beyond the reach of human aid; but there is the Great Physician. Have you ever thought of going directly to Him for healing?”

In the same letter he gave me Miss Judd’s address, and the fact that she had been healed of a similar disease in answer to the prayer of faith.

While I did not doubt her healing, I could not believe it was for me to be thus restores. Weeks passed; I grew weaker, often not able to speak or to swallow solid food for days together. These attacks always followed some effort on my part to help myself, or do a little more than usual. I tried very hard to sew and knit in bed, even after my left arm became almost helpless. These desperate efforts to work were sure to be followed by weeks of agonizing pain.

One day I said to mother, “Will you lay the last paper on my bed?” Some days I could read a few lines at a time, though with great pain and weariness. My eyes rested on a notice of Dr. Tyng’s sermon, “The Mountain Moves.” I said to myself, “ I will go to the Lord Jesus Christ-I will touch the hem of His garment- I will be made whole;” but, just as it would seem to me that I stood near Him, multitudes of doubts and fears crowded me back. I could not reach Him. I could close my eyes and see His loved form, weary and wayworn, traveling the road to Bethany, or standing upon the sands of Galilee, but I could not reach Him, I was so full of unbelief and darkness.

When I had strength to do so, I wrote Miss Judd. She replied at once, telling me that at her house the next Thursday evening, between seven and nine o’clock, the members of the Faith-Meeting would unite with me in claiming the promise to the sick, in James v.

She told me to consecrate myself wholly to the Lord, and pray for faith; to ask God to show me if there was anything in my heart that would prevent the wonderful work of grace in my life, and if He showed me nothing, to rest content that there was nothing. This was Saturday. My sister was with me, making a good-by call, for she, too, was sick, and was going to Chicago for medical advice. As she stooped over the bed to kiss me, she said, “I shall never kiss you on the bed again.” She was gone, leaving her prophetic words ringing in my ears. I read Miss Judd’s letter again, “We will pray for you on Thursday evening between seven and nine. You have only to believe, and God will do more for you than you can ask or think. Pay no attention to your feelings from that hour. If your bad symptoms continue, they do not arise from the disease, for that will be eradicated; but they are permitted to test your faith. Get right up and walk by faith.”

Monday A.M. I had great light given to me, but Tuesday and Wednesday were days of great darkness and many temptations. Thursday brought no peace of mind. I could not see that I had any faith, and so I longed to see my faith, that I might know for a certainty that I had it. I gave up the struggle towards night, as a tired child does. There came into my heart a consciousness of the sweetness of obedience. I repeated again and again, “Obedience, obedience.”

As the hour drew near, all the members of the family withdrew for prayer. Mother came to my room; I could not keep awake, though I tried very hard. I would rouse enough to know I was sleeping, and would say, “Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me and help me to keep awake,” and, with His name on my lips, be instantly lost in a sweet, sound sleep.

Between half-past eight and nine I was awake; mother had gone to her room. I turned over, got up, walked to her room, out to the kitchen, where I sat down for a few moments, and then arose, opened the door, stepped out onto the piazza and walked down to the north end, then turned, walked back to the south end into the parlor, and through to my own room! I had no human help. From the first I walked alone. Mother followed me gently, praising the Lord with a trembling voice. In the morning I dressed myself with little help, and at ten o’clock went out to meet my father, who had just come in on that morning’s train. As he opened the gate I stood on the steps! I cannot describe those days, so filled with joy and fear.

Friday, the 24^th, I rode down to the Post-office, and after returning, worked with my hands for two hours. My helpless left arm moved easily. Saturday A.M., Christmas morning, I walked quite a distance over the frozen ground, did a good deal of work during the day, and read and wrote some. I had more or less pain each day, but my strength was wonderful. For eight months previous to my healing I had not eaten a meal at table. When I had tried to sit up I had invariably fainted or fallen from my chair; but now, in one short hour, I had been made strong. Christmas passed; Sabbath morning came; I found my strength all gone. I had to learn that the “Lord was my strength.” Then, and then only, could I make continued exertions. My strength, which the Great Physician had withheld, to teach me to walk by faith, was, in the afternoon of the same day, instantly restored.

I soon learned that there was but one way, and that was to look continually to Jesus to complete the work which he had begun. I was His own child, brought with a price; to please Him was the one strong desire of my heart; to grieve Him caused the greatest sorrow.

I continued to grow strong. In three weeks I went twenty-five miles to see a sick sister, when she, too, was healed in answer to prayer. And the sister that went to Chicago consulted the best talent of that city, only to learn that she might possibly be relieved, but could not be cured, all the physicians agreeing that there was an inherited tendency in our family to diseases of nerve centuries. Before leaving Chicago she wrote Miss Judd. We, at home, remembered her also, and she was restored to health. I walked to the depot to meet her upon her return.

Two sisters in Florida, in different stages of chronic wasting of spinal cord, were restored within a few months, and a brother, who was a great sufferer from hip-disease, was made well and strong, even though the bone was in a state of ulceration, and he greatly reduced. HE put away his crutches and now uses a cane, unless he designs taking a long walk. His lameness is not wholly removed, but the pain and soreness were immediately rebuked, and I have no doubt that, had his faith claimed restoration of limb to its natural size and shape, it would have been make whole like the other.

These restorations, following one after the other, lifted the black cloud that had hung over our lives for ten years. We could only praise the Lord continually for His wonderful works to the children of men.

At present, after a year’s work, we are all well, and doing hard service. I can study many hours without the faintest trace of pain in my head, take long walks without fatigue. I never lie down to rest during the day, and often study until ten or eleven o’clock in the evening. I have gained many pounds in flesh; in fact, I am perfectly well.

Praise the Lord, and blessed be His holy name.

            December 19, 1881

***

The above is strictly true. I am acquainted with all the parties mentioned and with all the facts, and shall take pleasure in replying to any question that may be asked in regard to the matter.

            Rev M. L. Eastman,

                        Royalton, Wis,.

                        Formerly Lisbon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.

The Power of Testimony - Rev. A.G. Daniels (Triumphs of Faith 4.2)

“THE POWER OF TESTIMONY.”

BY REV. A. G. DANIELS.

One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. – John ix: 25.

The healing of disease in answer to prayer is already one of the great themes of the day, and it is both rapidly challenging the attention of those who hitherto have never given it a though, and growing in interest among those whose minds have been given to its study for many months and years.

It seems to the writer of these lines that many words and much time have been wasted, both by the opponents of this doctrine and by its advocates, from a failure to recognize and emphasize the force of the credible testimony.

It is the object of this article to call attention to this all-important factor in the discussion of this great subject.

And now will the reader, before he goes further with me, turn to John’s record of the gospel and read carefully the ninth chapter? We have here the history of the healing of a blind man by the power of Jesus, the Son of God.

We are given, too, somewhat in detail, the effect this healing had upon his friends and neighbors, and their utterances concerning it. Let us get the whole history before us.

            1. That God’s work might be manifested, Jesus anointed the blind man’s eyes with clay, sent him to wash in the pool, and the man came seeing, as other men.

            2. His neighbors, and those accustomed to see him by the wayside, now gather round him, and begin to speculate about the healing. As was altogether natural, they begin with a series of questions: First, they question among themselves, and the answers come from among themselves, “Is this the man that was blind, or not?” Some said, “Yes, it is he.” Others said, “No, it is not he, but he looks like the blind man.” The man himself simply said, quietly, “I am the same.”

            3. Granting that he who now sees is identical with him that had been blind, they now ask, “How ere thine eyes opened? They have been opened, we admit that; tell us how it was done.” In answer to this question, the man who had been healed, in a very artless, child-like way, simply testifies to the facts in the case, in the words of verse eleven. That was all.

            4. Then came the question concerning Jesus, “Where is He?” They wished now to see Him that had wrought the cure, and ask further questions of him, probably. The man was content to answer simply, “I know not.”

And now he is brought before the Pharisees-the learned men of the day. Follow the inspired John into detail here:

            1. Their question is, “How was it done?” The answer was as brief and simple as before.

            2. Some of the Pharisees at one proclaim, dogmatically, “However it may be as to the fact of his healing, it has not been done by the power of God, at any rate!” Others said, “If this man is not of God, how can he do such wonders?” There was a division among the learned ones at once.

            3. Thus divided among themselves, they ask the man who had been healed what he though of Jesus. He answered, “He is a prophet.”

            4. Because he held this opinion the Jews now refuse to credit the story of his healing, or even of his previous blindness, until his parents shall come and testify. They ask these parents two questions; 1^st, “Is this your son who, ye say, was born blind?” and, 2d, “How, then, doth he now see?”

            The answer is, “We know that he is our son and we know that he was born blind; but how he now seeth we know not-ask him.” The latter words were spoken, and are told, because they feared the Jews, who had threatened to put out of the Synagogue any who should confess that Jesus was the Christ.

            The Jews were prejudiced against the truth in the case beforehand.

            5. Now they call the man who had been healed, and begin to instruct him, “Give the glory to God in some other way than through Jesus; we know that this man is a sinner.” The man answered, “Whether Jesus is a sinner I do not care to discuss. One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” With this fact wrought into his very bones, how far above any desire was he to discuss the question whether his Physician was of God or “a sinner,” unworthy of confidence!

            6. Again they return to the question “How?” The man still adheres to his simple testimony, but becomes somewhat more earnest in manner now. “I have told you how it was; wherefore would ye hear it again; is it because ye wish to become his disciples, too, or because ye would find fault?”

            7. In reply to the assertion, “As for this man, we know not whence he is,”-the man who had been healed now gives evidence that he not only has faith in Jesus and is in the reality of his cure, but that he has a logical mind as well. “Herein is the marvel, that ye know not whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes!!”

            8. They now make only reply possible, “Dost thou teach us?” and cast him out.

            Concerning the course pursued by these neighbors and these Jews, it may be remarked: First, The most diligent and thorough inquiry into this reported healing was perfectly proper, and, indeed, their duty. Whether the blind man and the man who now came seeing were one and the same, must be first established. Then whether he had really been blind, the very properly came up for a thorough consideration. Then it was quite right to investigate the reality of his healing-to hear what the man himself had to say, and any other testimony that could be produced. They only did their duty in insisting carefully and persistently upon having all possible testimony before them as a foundation upon which to rest their belief in regard to the miracle.

            Second. The Pharisees were unreasonable in rejecting all evidence and refusing to credit the healing because of the man’s opinion concerning the character of Jesus, or, indeed, because of his opinion upon any subject. A real, miraculous healing did not render himself infallible in his opinions, nor did it unfit him for an intelligent opinion. His opinions did not come into the case at all. What was wanted here was evidence-that, and that only.

            Third. They were unreasonable in the case-in their attempt to explain the healing in some other way than that established by the testimony-and in casting out him who had been healed, because he dared to use logic in such a way as to utterly destroy their conclusions.

Concerning the course pursued by the subject of this healing, it serves as a model till the end of time. He simply, and in an humble manner, gave his testimony as to his healing. He gave no opinion until asked, and they gave it modestly. HE uttered but one sentence that may be called an argument, and that not for argument’s sake, but only when the door was wide open, and all he had to do was to go in and take possession. One thing he knew, and he was content to testify as to what he knew. Here was his power.

The application of the above is, perhaps, already sufficiently clear to the reader. Human nature has not changed, although many centuries have rolled into the past.

What it is reported to-day that some afflicted one has been healed of his disease by the power of God, in answer to prayer, men at once gather round the case and enter upon its discussion. This is well. But, that we may arrive at the truth, we must remember that mere opinions, pro and con, are of no value whatever to help us to the truth. The testimony in the case is the all-important thing. Speculation is as utterly worthless here as it is when a man is on the trial for his life before a jury of twelve. What you and I think about when the report reaches us does not enter into the question. Nothing but the known truth, such as can be sworn to by competent witness, is at first to claim our attention. Was he sick? Let testimony answer. Has he been healed? Let testimony answer. How as it done-through remedial agents or without them0through some human power, or by Divine power only? Weigh the evidence, and let testimony answer. If we would get at the truth, there must be no prejudice in our mind that will forbid or hinder the cordial reception of the verdict that testimony gives.

Many reports of such healing have come to our ears with recent years. Were these persons truly sick? Testimony says they were. They were sick for many years, receiving no help from any human source, and constantly growing worse. Have they been healed? Testimony says “Yes.” They are as well as they ever were- as well as other men. They have been well for years, and doing more work than most people think themselves able to do. How were they healed? Testimony says without the use of remedies-under the very eyes of the most skillful physicians who could only confess their inability to heal; instantly some of them; gradually, others. In the name of Jesus they have arisen from their beds and walked; in His name they have been walking ever since, physically and spiritually.

What about these witnesses from whom we have this testimony? Are they competent? They are the parents of those who have been healed. They are their brothers and sisters. They are friends and neighbors. They are the physicians and pastors of those who were sick, but are now well. They are in position to know the facts, and are thus competent.

Are they trustworthy? Those who know them say they are. They testify to what they know, then, and their testimony is true. With this competent and trustworthy testimony before us, what shall be our verdict? It is evident that no other theory then that which ascribes the healing to God’s power can account for the facts. Let us be careful here, lest, in thinking ourselves wise, we show our selves as foolish as the unreasoning Pharisees. Let us not reject a theory that to any devout Christian cannot seem absurd, whatever else it may seem, for another that is absurd to the thinking Christian and the thinking infidel alike. With all the facts before us, and with no other reasonable solution of the problem, it becomes highly probable that God has seen fit to exercise His power independent of the usual channels of His providence, and has healed some, at least, without the use of remedies. This is so highly probable as to become morally certain, especially when we consider the wonderful work that God is doing through these restored ones.

We are not asked to believe mere rumors, but established facts. The testimony of the healed and of their friends and neighbors is before us, and it invites the most searching investigation. The questions to be decided is-have these persons been healed in answer to prayer and by God’s power only? Trustworthy testimony says they have. Only speculation says no, and its verdict rests upon no testimony whatever, nor upon any fact. Let us be candid, as the Pharisees were no, and joyfully receive the truth, giving the glory to Jesus, the Son of God.

Let us not be so unreasoning, either, as to connect the experiences of these brethren who have been healed in this way with their teachings, in such a manner as to make them stand or fall together. As interpreters of the Word, they take their place with us all as longing for the truth, but liable to error. Their doctrinal beliefs have nothing whatever to do with the fact of their healing. They may be wrong in the former; they cannot be wrong in the latter. Unless we look to our consecration and magnify the Spirit of God as our Guide into all truth, they may come nearer the truth of the Word than we.

Does not this man who was healed of his blindness speak a word across the centuries to those who have recently been healed by the same power? If so, it seems to me to be this: “Enter not into disputations in doctrine, but keep to your testimony.”

“One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” These learned Pharisees were able to teach this man in many things, but they could not resist his simple testimony as to fact. Dearly beloved, ye who have been exalted of the Lord, utter no harsh words against the Church and her ministries because they do not interpret some parts of God’s word as you do!

It is not impossible that the great body of the consecrated ministers and laymen of the Church are competent to instruct you as to the true meaning of the blessed Word. Your interpretations of that Word have not been rendered infallible by the fact of your healing. If you stand before the Church and the world is as teachers, be not surprised that many question whether you bring the precise truth at all times that the Spirit meant to teach. If you come as witnesses of what God has done, no man can stand up against the power that comes with your testimony. “Ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses.”-Acts i: 8.

The Life of Prevailing (Triumphs of Faith 4.2)

“THE LIFE OF PREVAILING.”

We shall prevail when like Jesus we can say, “Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.” When, with Him, we come not to prayer any more than to other things, to do our own will, but always the will of Him who has sent us forth into life, as He was Himself sent of God. We shall prevail, because having given ourselves to Him it is the law of His loving giving that we should give Himself to us. Freely we have received, for freely we give.

From this point all words of Jesus grow more and more clear. We are learning of Him Who knows all the secrets that belong to the love that prevails. We abide where the Lord can appear and make known to us our ground of present privilege and common heritage in Him. We are every in covenant relations and hold nothing, not even our own lives, dear unto ourselves.

We dwell in love, because we dwell in god; and so we must prevail as God prevails, which is all our heart’s desire. We do not wrestle that we may prevail, we only abide in God, our God Who is love. We do not cry “Blot me out of Thy book,” we only keep doing always the things that please Him, not ourselves. We do not struggle with desire, for we walk in the jointness of one desire, one life. We have God and have all; and God has us, whom He has so long sought. Our prevailing in prayer is God’s prevailing with us, and His prevailing with us is our prevailing with Him.

The Bible is full of statements of conditions which are possibilities for all and which assume the force of commands with those to whom they are brought by the Spirit. When they are made personal by present showing of the Lord that they are to be received, and may then enter as a factor into the life. Such a statement is that word of James, “They prayer of faith shall save the sick.” It is truly according to your faith-but the faith must rest upon the conviction that it is the Word of the Lord spoken directly to the one needing the healing touch. After the Word is thus spoken, faith will be required to stand on the ground given of God; for the light that shined round about the moment of revelation may be darkened. In these moments our trust must be not in the promise, nor in the light surrounding the promise; but in the Lord our God, and on Him alone must the soul be stayed.