But how is this faith obtained? Must not God give it? Yes. So Paul, writing to the Philippians, tells them it was "given" to them "to believe in Christ." Must we, then, listlessly wait until it comes to us? No. Paul again says to these same Philippians, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." The reconciliation of these two truths into one theory may be difficult, but in practice it is easy enough. _We recognise them both when we ask for faith._ For to ask is to recognise our need of that for which we ask; it is also to recognise the fact that we do not possess it of ourselves; and it is also to seek and to act. Ask, then, for faith, and God will say: "Wilt thou be made whole?" Will you--not as a vague desire, but as the most earnest determination of your heart and will? Ask for faith; God will grant it. Ask largely; you cannot ask too much. And even if you sigh over the weakness of desire, press the old and never-failing prayer: "Lord, I believe; help Thou my unbelief." Faith saves, and grace saves. This is scarcely a contradiction in terms, and certainly it is no contradiction in principle. Faith is the instrument; grace is the primary and efficacious power. Faith is the channel; grace is the stream. Faith touches the hem of the Saviour's garment; grace is the virtue that passes forth from Him in response to the touch. Christ reaches down from heaven; faith reaches up from earth; each hand grasps the other--the one in weakness, the other in power--and salvation is in the grasp. Take--oh, take that pierced hand! Amen. II. _PROPITIATION._ "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."--1 John ii. 2. It is easier to attack than to defend. An objection may be stated in a single sentence which shall require many pages for an adequate reply. Those who reject Christianity generally adopt this method, but I know not why they should be allowed to monopolise it. Why should not believers, instead of simply proving that there is a God, and that the Bible is His Word, insist upon positive proof from their opponents that there is no God, and that the Bible is nothing more than a human book? Why should we not impose upon them the more difficult task of defending their position, by attacking it with all earnestness at every point? For Christian defence, we have need to be both really and consciously very strong in the truth. On the other hand, to be an unbeliever, a man can do without either knowledge or goodness. He has only to ply you with his eternal "_Why?_" _Why_, because the universe exists, must it have ever been _created_? _Why_ may it not have always existed? _Why_ are we bound to accept the teaching of the Bible? _Why_ was it necessary that Christ should suffer to expiate our sins? _Why_ did Christ come so late in the history of the world? _Why_ are there no miracles now? _Why? Why? Why?_--