How to Obtain Faith

How can I obtain faith in the gospel? For them, these few, simple lines are penned. It is said that all great actors, who wish to do justice to the

characters they represent, actually live the lives, think the thoughts, and arouse the emotions, that were manifested in those whom they imitate. None will dispute that actions are expressions of the mind, and is it not possible that mind can be absolutely changed to conform t^» actions? I think so. If you have no faith, act in a faithful way, and as sure as the Lord lives he will give you faith.

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Paul says faith comes by hearing. Then, if you haven't faith, go where you can hear the word of God. If, on Mutual night or on a Sunday, you seek the saloon, street, or gaming table, it is a settled fact that the will pass by and you will feel day or night just a little bit farther from faith. The "word" that you hear in such places is not intended by its inspirer to create faith in the

gospel, but the opposite. If you desire faith, go where faith is

manufactured, put yourself in the right condition, and you will carry off a heartful. All those who came to Jesus, maimed or diseased, were healed by faith. It seemed that faith, about the size of a mustard seed, and disease, cannot both inhabit the same body at the same time. If perfect faith brings perfect health, will not perfect health have

a tendency to bring faith? It seems to me that the despondent dispeptic, or the cigarette smoker with the graveyard cough, can not have untainted faith in the gospel. They do not see the bright side of and faith will not acknowledge any darkness at all; life,

but if they do have faith, they have little hope, and hope is a very near .and dear friend of faith. If you want faith increased, keep the Word of Wisdom, get your bodies in as healthy a condition as possible, and you will be more susceptible to its gentle knockings. No man possessing faith ever "runs down" his bishop, slanders his neighbor, scolds his wife, thumps his babies, or knocks a horn off from his milch cow. If you have done any of these, you have

been forgetful or angered, and faith says to both: "Depart, I know you not. " Faith causes a man to love everybody, everything. If you are without faith, begin to love someone — start in on mother, that queen of all creation. From the time you first uttered that little shrill cry that sent the blood creeping to her very finger tips with joy, until you gather around her bed-side with bowed heads, would she gladly have suffered even unto death for your salvation. When she asks you to go to Mutual instead of the club or cafe (often only stylish names for the saloon) love her then and there, and do as she requests. When you love her as you ought, remember father, too. He is gruff, and sometimes cuts deep when he reproves; but could you see in his big heart, the space allotted for his son, you would be filled with — love. Love thy father and thy mother and do as they bid, and thou shalt have faith all

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thy days. Love brothers, sisters, the world, and then see if the Lord will not give faith. There is nothing that produces faith in religion like doing what religion requires. "Pure religion and undented before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Buy a sack of flour with the "club" money, and send it around to some poor widow without letting your left hand know it. Be liberal with this newly called missionary. You are apt to get a call some day, and you will know how to appreciate a hearty

"send-off," especially if the purse is well rounded. Sympathy, a kind look or word, are often more needed than gold. Always keep these at the head of your free list, and never let the stock get stale nor depleted. Imitate faithful people, and you are bound to receive faith. Don't expect to receive the faith of Job in one day, nor in one year. Don't lose heart if you find by experience that faith comes as a slow, steady growth. "Righteousness in God is revealed from faith to faith." The Lord always gives faith to those whose thoughts and actions are in harmony with the law that faith operates. Choose companions who have a testimony of the gospel; go often where you can hear the word of God; keep the Word of Wisdom strictly; love somebody— several bodies; give something go to your room, pull down the blinds, freely; last, but not least, and, on'your knees, earnestly tell the Father you desire faith. If

you make theae principles part of your daily life, it will not be long before you can truthfully say: "1 know, that my Redeemer liveth."

Winnipeg, Canada.