Mr. M.—A good many say they are going to try. What would you say to such?
Mr. R.—God wants no man to “try.” Jesus has already tried. He has not only tried, but He has succeeded. “It is finished.” Believe in Him who has “made an end of sins, making reconciliation for iniquity, finishing transgression, and bringing in everlasting righteousness.”
Mr. M.—If people say they are “going to try,” what would you say to them?
Mr. R.—I should say, Put trusting in the place of trying; believing in the place of doubting; and I should urge them to come to Christ as they are, instead of waiting to be better. There is nothing now between God the Father and the poor sinner, but the Lord Jesus Christ; and Christ has put away sin that I may be joined to the Lord. “And he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit;” “And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Mr. M.—About the last thing an anxious inquirer has to contend with is his feelings. There are hundreds here very anxious to know they are safe in the Kingdom; but they think they have not the right kind of feeling. What kind of feeling should they have?
Mr. R.—I think there are several of those present who can say that they found a blessing in the after-meetings through one verse of Scripture. I will quote it as an answer to Mr. Moody’s question. “Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” Some of you may be walking in darkness; that is how you feel. What is God’s command? “Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” If I am to trust God in the darkness, I am to trust Him anywhere.
Mr. M.—You would advise them, then, to trust in the Lord, whether they have the right kind of feeling or not?
Mr. R.—If I were to think of my feelings for a moment, I should be one of the most miserable men in this hall to-night. My feelings are those of a sinful corrupt nature. I am just to believe what God tells me in spite of my feelings. Faith is “the evidence of things not seen:” I might add, “the evidence of things not felt.”
Mr. M.—Some may say that faith is the gift of God: and that they must wait till God imparts it to them.
Mr. R.—“Faith cometh by hearing.” The word of God is the medium through which faith comes to us. God has given us Christ; and He has given us His Spirit, and His Word: what need is there to wait? God will give faith to the man who reads His Word and seeks for His Spirit.