[The Missionary of last month contained sermons by two of our Chinese helpers of the California mission, with a promise of one this month from Jee Gam.
These come to us, unrevised, in the handwriting of their authors, which, for beauty and legibility, excites the wish that all our correspondents were converted Chinamen. These sermons give, as perhaps in no other way open to our readers, an idea of what can be done in this work of imparting spiritual truth to this class of heathen minds, and the adaptation of these men to be its heralds to their own people. Lack of room compels the omission of the first part of the sermon, in which is answered the question, “What is this faith?” Our extract begins with the account of Moses’ faith, under the second head, “What has faith done?”—Ed. Miss.]
Heb. 10:38. “Now the just shall live by faith.” 2d. What has this faith done?
By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. In a worldly sense, one may say he was the most foolish man in the world; for if he had remained and accepted the offer he would have been King of Egypt, as Pharaoh had no son. He would have had great power; he would have lived in the finest palace of Egypt; he would have had all the riches, comfort, pleasure, honor and glory he chose to have; but by faith he saw and knew all these were things which would vanish away like vapor. Besides these, I venture to say that Moses must have been utterly disgusted with the idolatry of that people. He knew in his own conscience that it was wrong and against God to worship any idol, bull, cow, or cat, all of which were gods in Egypt. On the other hand he knew that the Lord was his God, and that he has millions of times more riches and honor than Pharaoh had. So he regarded not the low station of being a Hebrew; neither cared he for being poor, despised, oppressed and persecuted, for he counted all these trials as nothing compared with the blessings of God which were to come. At any rate, he preferred and did choose to be on the side of God, rather than on the side of the Egyptians. By faith he wrought many wonders in Egypt; by faith he led his people across the Red Sea; by faith the many battles were fought and won on the way to Canaan. By faith Daniel prayed continually three times a day when he knew that there had been a decree against him; yet he cared not for the consequence of violating that law. He knew that it was far better and more important to obey the commands of his God than the corrupt decree of the King, even if he should be cast into the den and torn to pieces by the terrible beasts.
And now let us come down to a later period, and see how by faith the disciples of Christ worked many miracles. Still later we find that Luther by faith broke away from the monastery and preached Christ as he then thought He ought to be preached, not fearing any dangers that were to come. When he was summoned by the Council at Worms to answer its charges, he said to his friends, “I will go to Worms, if there are as many devils as there are tiles.” And by faith he was protected and saved. And now look at the present century, and see what the faith of Christian people has done for Japan and China. Fifty years ago, I believe, there was not a single Protestant Chinese Christian in that vast empire; but just see how many there are now—over thirteen thousand, besides the many thousands who have been Christianized abroad. And by faith I venture to say right here that, China will, before long, become a Christian country, and rank high when compared with all her sister nations.
3d. Can every man have this faith, be he white, black, red or yellow? Yes. The beggar can have it as well as the king. The poor can have it as well as the rich; and the negro, the Indian and the Chinaman.
4th. Of what benefit is it? It makes us see our own sinfulness and weakness. It tells us to look to God for forgiveness and for strength. It assures us that our sins have been pardoned, and the promises of God make us sure of our reward in Heaven. It makes us have more confidence in God and in His Son Jesus. It gives us hope that we shall see not only God, but all who have had this faith and are now in heaven. It gives us patience, peace, hope, comfort, joy and anxiety of heart to do God’s will, and to lead people to Christ. Without faith we cannot please God, nor can we go to him in prayer. It is the foundation of Christian life. It justifies us, and, being justified, we live and shall live forever.
5th. What are we called if we have this faith? The just. The born again of the Holy Spirit; the forgiven; the justified ones; those who have faith in God; the Christians. So then we are called just, not by works, but by faith. Nevertheless, faith can never be without works; faith is the companion of works; they can never be parted. For instance, Luther, although he exalted faith, yet acted it right out with works.
Think of Paul, how he by faith suffered many persecutions; how he labored in prison as well as out of prison, and bore much fruit. “Faith without works is dead.”
6th. Have we this faith? Have all men it? Alas! Let us consider how many in this sinful world have not this faith; how many have never heard of it; how many have willfully refused to take it when it was so kindly and so lovingly presented to them. Oh, how sad! for without this faith they are the enemies of God, and they shall be condemned. Though in this world they may have all riches, comforts, respect, and much honor in the sight of men, in the eye of God they are “Weighed in the balance and found wanting.”