old, he began his ministry. He preached that all men must repent and believe in him, or they can never enter the kingdom of heaven. He performed a great many wonderful miracles, which proved that God was with him, and that he worked the works of God. His life was entirely holy, free from all manner of sin. His example was perfectly good, and he urged all men to be like himself. His teaching was wise and good. Even his enemies said-Never man spake like this man. He told all about the duties which mankind owe to each other, and to God. He earnestly besought all people to become his disciples and friends, telling them if they would follow him, they should be happy forever, and if they would not, they must be eternally miserable. Such were the things that Jesus taught, and in this manner he labored to save men. And at last he permitted himself to be taken and crucified by wicked men, that, by his death, he might make an atonement for the sins of the world, and prepare a way that all sinners, who repent and believe in him, might be saved and be happy in heaven forever. After his death, he arose from the grave, appeared alive to his disciples, told them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; and then he ascended into heaven in the sight of many of his friends, and there he ever liveth to make intercession for us. This is a short account of what the Bible informs us concerning the Saviour. Now God requires that we should believe this, and so believe it that it will rule our conduct, and make us the followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. This is faith in Jesus Christ; and nothing else is true faith in him. It is not enough for you to say that you do not dispute or deny what God says concerning his Son. It is not enough for you to say that you believe the scripture account of the Saviour. If your belief is not of that kind which will govern your actions-if it does not lead you to do as the Saviour bids you if it does not make you his friend and disciple; it is not true faith in him. Now my young reader, if you have read attentively and understood what you have read, you see that when you have true faith in Christ, you will trust yourself in his hands; you will look to him alone for salvation: you will obey his commands and strive to be like him. Your belief in Jesus-your faith in him, will control your conduct; it will lead you to do as Jesus bids you: it will make you a friend of the Saviour, and you will be a Christian indeed. This is the faith that God speaks of in the Bible, and it is the only kind of faith that he will accept, or that will prepare the soul for heaven. If you would have this faith, you must study the Bible very attentively, you must earnestly desire to know all that God has said; and you must pray much that God would help you to understand and do his will, and that he would give you the faith which all true Christians have. CHAPTER II. Some Examples. I will now attempt to show you what faith is, by some familiar examples. Suppose, then, that your father should tell you, that in a distant field, under a certain stone, there is a large sum of money, and that if you will go and get it, you shall have it for your own. Knowing your father to be a man of truth, and that he means what he says, you will believe what he has told you. You may not understand how he happens to know about it, and he may not explain the matter to you; but if he tells you that he does know, and that if you will go where he directs, you will find the money, you will believe him. But how, in this case, will you show your belief? How will it influence you? The answer is plain-you will go immediately to the place that your father pointed out, and search for the prize, find it, and bring it home. If you should not move-if what your father told you should have no effect upon you, it would be plain that you did not believe what he said; for if you believed him, you would set out at once to get the prize. Now, to apply this-God, your heavenly Father, has told you of heaven, where you may enjoy perfect happiness, and have every thing that your heart shall desire, when you arrive there. He has told you, also, about the way that leads to heaven. He says you must repent of sin, believe in Jesus Christ, follow him and obey his commandments, and then you shall not fail of entering into the kingdom of heaven. And God has further told you, that if you do not go in the way he has pointed out, if you do not obey him and follow the Saviour, you shall be cast down to hell, and be miserable forever. All these things, which are as important to you as your soul's happiness, God has plainly revealed in the Bible. Now, if you believe what he has said, will it not deeply affect your mind? And if you truly believe the sayings of God B |