Faith, by its very nature, shall embrace both credence and obedience: Yea, the word for both is one, and cannot be divided. For, work void of faith, wherein can it be counted for a duty; And faith not seen in work,--whereby can the doctrine be discovered? Faith in religion is an instrument; a handle, and the hand to turn it: Less a condition than a mean, and more an operation than a virtue. A moral sickness, like to sin, must have a moral cure; And faith alone can heal the mind, whose malady is sense. Ye are told of God's deep love: they that believe will love Him: They that love Him, will obey: and obedience hath its blessing. Ye are taught of the soul's great price; they that believe will prize it, And, prizing soul, will cherish well the hopes that make it happy. Effects spring from feelings; and feelings grow of faith: If a man conceive himself insulted, will not his anger smite? Thus, let a soul believe his state, his danger, destiny, redemption, Will he not feel eager to be safe, like him that kept the prison at Philippi? A mother had an only son, and sent him out to sea: She was a widow, and in penury; and he must seek his fortunes. How often in the wintry nights, when waves and winds were howling, Her heart was torn with sickening dread, and bled to see her boy. And on one sunny morn, when all around was comfort, News came, that weeks agone, the vessel had been wrecked; Yea, wrecked, and he was dead! they had seen him perish in his agony: Oh then, what agony was like to her's,--for she believed the tale. She was bowed and broken down with sorrow, and uncomforted in prayer; Many nights she mourned, and pined, and had no hope but death. But on a day, while sorely she was weeping, a stranger broke upon her loneliness,-- He had news to tell, that weather-beaten man, and must not be denied: And what were the wonder-working words that made this mourner joyous, That swept her heaviness away, and filled her world with praise? Her son was saved,--is alive,--is near!--O did she stop to question? No, rushing in the force of faith, she met him at the door! OF HONESTY. [Illustration: "A"]