IV
Faraday's text is an ill-used text. It is frequently mis-quoted. It occurred one day in the course of a theological lesson over which Rabbi Duncan was presiding.
'Repeat that passage!' said the Rabbi to the student who had just spoken.
'I know in whom I have----'
'My dear sir,' interrupted the Rabbi, 'you must never let even a preposition come between you and your Saviour!'
And when Dr. Alexander, of Princeton, was dying, a friend endeavored to fortify his faith by reciting some of the most familiar passages and promises. Presently he ventured upon the words:
'I know in whom I have believed, and----'
But the sick man raised his hand.
'No, no,' exclaimed the dying Principal, 'it is not "I know in whom" but "I know whom"; I cannot have even the little word "in" between me and Christ. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day!'
John Oxenham has expressed the same thought with an accent and emphasis well worthy of the theme:
Not What, but Whom, I do believe,
That, in my darkest hour of need,
Hath comfort that no mortal creed
To mortal man may give.
Not What but Whom.
For Christ is more than all the creeds,
And His full life of gentle deeds
Shall all the creeds outlive.
Not What I do believe, but Whom.
Who walks beside me in the gloom?
Who shares the burden wearisome?
Who all the dim way doth illume,
And bids me look beyond the tomb
The larger life to live?
Not what I do believe,
But Whom!
Not What,
But Whom!
It was a Person, a Living and Divine Person, of whom Faraday was so certain and on whom he rested so securely at the last.