us."

FOR THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

EVIDENCES OF A WEAK FAITH.

Who has not admired the gentle, and yet forcible, rebuke which our Lord addressed to his disciples, in consequence of their excessive anxiety during a storm. Having entered into a ship to cross the sea of Galilee, a violent tempest arose during their passage, from which they were seriously apprehensive that they should lose their lives. Jesus, meanwhile, faz tigued by the excessive labours of the day, had laid himself down in the ship and fallen asleep. Alarmed by the violence of the storm, the disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, "Lord, save

with a considerable variety: and well expresses it," they are built that some are admirably qualified up in holiness and comfort through to alarm the thoughtless, and faith unto salvation." May the even to direct inquiring souls to great Head of the church furnish Christ alone for salvation, who it with many such pastors; and are not so well qualified to edify may the Holy Spirit crown their believers, and furnish constant- labours with his richest blessings, ly the food best suited to pro- and prepare them at last to stand mote and speed their growth in with their flocks before his throne grace. But such ministers, it in Heaven, and say, "here are we seems to me, ought rather to spend and the children thou hast given their lives as evangelists, than to Amen. become the stated pastors of particular churches. The word pastor itself, is derived from the office of one who feeds, as well as gathers and protects a flock. "Feed my sheep, feed my lambs," said our blessed Saviour to the Apostle Peter. And the solemn charge of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesian elders was [Acts. xx. 28] "Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and unto the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.' To resolve cases of conscience, to direct and enlighten the perplexed, to comfort spiritual mourners, and to quicken and edify the whole body of the faithful, is a most important part of the pastor's office and duty. It is a part which he ought carefully to study, and for which he should seek to qualify himself, to the full extent of his powers. It is not easy to describe the sacred pleasure, and the unspeakable benefit, which established Christians derive from the preaching of an able and faithful pastor, who, from Sabbath to Sabbath, feeds them with what they love and seek, the unadulterated milk of the word. They are refreshed, they are strengthened, they are invigorated, they become increasingly exemplary, their inward peace, holy joy, and steadfastness in the faith are augmented, and they bring forth much fruit to the praise and glory of God their Heavenly Father. In a word, and as the answer before us

us:

we perish.' Their anxiety certainly discovered a criminal want of faith; for however alarming their condition might have appeared, they had no right, after all the evidences they had had of his power and goodness, to doubt that he would interpose for their relief. Hence, in his reply to them, he suggests the reproof to which I have just alluded" Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith ?"

The word faith, which is used in scripture with some variety of signification, here evidently means, confidence in the providence of God. If the disciples had trusted in the divine perfections and government, as it became them to do, they would have never discovered that

excessive anxiety which gave occasion to this reproof.

In the present article, we will contemplate some of the evidences of a weak faith; and in a succeeding one, the means by which it may be strengthened.

A tormenting apprehension in circumstances of danger constitutes one of these evidences. Of this the case of the disciples furnishes a striking example. As the storm increased, and the waves covered the ship, they became alarmed and agitated, supposing that they should be swallowed up in the deep. And this fear was manifestly the effect of the want of faith: it proved that they had, in a degree at least, lost sight of the providence of God; for had not this been the case, they would have been enabled to contemplate their condition with calmness, let the result be as it might: they would have recollected that infinite wisdom and goodness had ordained that storm, and had ordained their circumstances in reference to it: and even if they were to be buried in the sea, they would not have doubted that, on the whole, it would be for the best; though they might have perceived, and ought to have perceived, that there were circumstances in the case which constituted a pledge of their preservation.

Who has not seen this same disposition manifested in other cases? What Christian but has felt it in a greater or less degree in his own experience? Perhaps you have never been placed in circumstances in which you regarded your life as in jeopardy; but, no doubt, you have sometimes apprehended the approach of distressing calamity. And let me inquire, whether at such a moment, you have been enabled, in any good degree, to preserve your accustomed calmness? Or, rather, whether you have not been distressed with anxiety, if not actually agitated

with terror? Especially if the apprehended danger has opened suddenly upon you, and in an hour of fancied security you have discovered yourself in fearful jeopardy, has not the passion of fear in some instances, risen so high, as well nigh to paralyse the power of exertion? Rely on it, this proves the weakness of your faith. It shows that your confidence in God is not so efficient a principle as to be a pledge for your good behaviour in every condition. It looks as though you were forming a character for the fair weather of human life, but which would be ill adapted to encounter its storms.

The prevalence of superstitious fears constitutes another evidence of a weak faith. There are those whose imaginations are almost continually exercised on events and appearances of supernatural character, which are fitted to fill them with dread. Perhaps they have had some unusual dream, which they are ready to interpret

as

a signal of some approaching calamity. Or, perhaps, some event has occurred in their experience which they regard mysterious; and though they know not what it means, yet they feel assured that it is the harbinger of evil;-perhaps the harbinger of their own death, or of the death of some near friend. And they acquire such a habit of mind, that they are upon the look-out for signs of portentous import; and scarcely let any event pass without inquiring whether there be nothing in it of unpropitious aspect. In this way, they are all their lifetime subject to the bondage of a superstitious fear. And how clearly does this also indicate the want of faith! For if these persons had a strong confidence in God, as the Governor of the world, these fears would be kept down by the reflection that all agencies and all events are subject to his control; that even if bad angels should be

suffered to put forth their power in attempting to harm us, yet they have no power which is not given them from above; and which is not limited and directed in its operations ultimately to subserve some good end.

What direct influence these invisible agents may exercise in the affairs of men we know not, but whatever it may be, the fear of it betrays a want of faith; a forgetfulness that if God be for us, it matters little what other beings are against us.

sive gloom. Hence the Psalmist in contemplating the condition into which he was brought, as bereft of religious joy, and having his soul disquieted within him, prescribes to himself as a remedy, hope or confidence in God: and this is the true remedy for all religious despondency.

Another symptom of a weak faith is an excessive anxiety in regard to our temporal condition. No doubt it is right-it is an imperative duty for every person to exerThe prevalence of spiritual doubts cise a prudent care, in respect to also betrays a weak faith. There his worldly circumstances; and are some Christians who, while they whom God has constituted they give much evidence of being the guardians of others, especially sincere and conscientious, and the heads of families, are also even devout, seem nevertheless to bound to make provision for the have but little enjoyment, from the temporal wants of those commitfact that they never gain any sa- ted to their care. Inspiration ittisfactory evidence of their own self hath declared-" He that propiety. You may present before videth not for his own, and espethem the evidences of Christian cially for those of his own house, character, and labour faithfully to hath denied the faith and is worse show them that these evidences than an infidel;" and it seems imare furnished by their own experi- possible to comply with the spirit ence, and expostulate with them of this requisition, without bein respect to the guilt and the in- stowing upon the subject of it a gratitude of refusing the comfort considerable degree of care and to which, through God's grace, thought. It is necessary to form they have a legitimate claim; and plans that shall have respect to a yet, after all, they will go on doubt- future day; and, in ordinary cases, ing and trembling, and perhaps to labour diligently in some honest scarcely daring to apply to them- and lawful calling. But over and selves a single promise of the gos- above all this, we often find, and pel. Now I say nothing here in in professed Christians too, an exrespect to what may be the origin·treme anxiety in respect to their of this evil: perhaps it ought to be referred to a gloomy temperament, or to a disordered state of the body, or to various other causes, either of a physical or spiritual nature; but no doubt it is always in a greater or less degree connected with the want of faith. It is because the soul has lost sight of the promises which it has a right to appropriate; or at least because some of the truths of the gospel are not viewed in the practical and impressive light in which they ought to be viewed, that the soul is clouded with this oppres

worldly prospects; gloomy forebodings that they or their children shall come to want; and that too perhaps at the very time when to every other eye than their own, such apprehensions would appear totally unfounded. They ought to recollect, and if they had more faith they would recollect and feel, that the ordering of their circumstances is in the best hands; that the special care and protection of God, even in this life, is pledged to the righteous; that if they discharge their duty faithfully, they have no right to doubt