There are various causes for unbelief, but none will justify it in God's sight. Some refuse to have faith in God because of IGNORANCE. "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of the heart: who being past feeling, have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness", (Eph. 4:18-19).
    Depravity, or the evil nature of man, is the real cause of unbelief. "Among whom we had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others", (Eph. 2:3). One may follow that nature and be forever lost, or he may yield to the Holy Spirit and be saved -- bearing the fruit of the Spirit which is a love that BELIEVES.
    Many refuse to take God at His word because of SATANIC INFLUENCE. The devil wants every person to live and die in his unbelief. That is why he has undertaken his work of deception in the human race by questioning the Word of God. He

comes and snatches away the word of God as soon as it is sown lest lost men should believe and be saved. "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved", (Lk. 8:12).
    Others lack faith in God because of their own pride; in repentance a man must humble himself. He condemns himself and justifies God. He sees himself as helpless and God as the one who has all power ... the one who is able to supply all of his needs according to the riches of His grace. A proud man will not do this. That is why "Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall", (Pray. 16:18). Again it is written: "Everyone that is PROUD in heart is an abomination unto the Lord". (Prov. 16:5).

A faith that will not produce good works will not save. 'What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? ... for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is

dead also', (Jas. 2:14, 26). Thus, the word of God declares that saving faith is also a working faith. One who claims to be saved but never vindicates that claim by obedience leaves much room for suspicion concerning the reality of his profession.
    The person, on the other hand, who discards the use of medicines and doctors --- espousing the cause of a so - called "faith cure" is missing the mark. He says that he trusts God to cure him, but holds still and refuses to use the means that God has provided. Faith cannot always "hold still"; it acts. And faith in God always conforms to His "order" as laid down in the Scriptures. Whoever desires to change the order of the universe to suit his own convenience is NOT one who is walking by faith.
    Suppose a farmer should say, 'I am not going to use any means in

making a crop because I have faith in God to GIVE me a crop'. All Summer long he sits on his porch, in the shade, and whistles as the weeds and grass cover his farm. Do you suppose that he will harvest corn from those weeds? or cotton from the grass? His "faith" will no more assure a fruitful harvest than will his whistling. Such an interpretation of "faith" is utter nonsense!
    "But", someone says, "Does not the Bible teach that God heals diseases"? It certainly does; and no disease is ever cured without His aid. The doctor treats our ills, but God always does the healing. This does NOT mean that we are to refuse the means God has provided. "The prayer of faith will save the sick" ONLY after the remedial oil has been applied; do not reject the MEANS.
    More scriptures teach that God will "feed" us than teach that He will heal us. Does this mean that we should throw away all our food and "simply trust" Him to hand down our daily food from heaven? The farmer who USES the means God has provided is the man who most clearly demonstrates his faith. The sick man who USES the medicine that God has enabled someone to put within his reach shows far greater FAITH than his idiotic neighbor who insists on being healed by "faith only" -- without the use of means.
"Faith without works is dead."
    Genuine Christian faith is not only glad submission to the will of God; it is heartily DOING His will. No wonder it is exalted so highly in the Scriptures. It is indspen-

sible. Without it we can do nothing and have nothing; with it we can do and achieve all things that are right and glorious.
    How great is the need of faith in our world today! It is indispensable in salvation. In no other way may bad men become good men. By it multiplied thousands (yes, and millions) have been delivered from condemnation to justification, from darkness to light, and from sin to holiness.

    Careless indifference laughs in the face of God today. Men say: "There is nothing new, and nothing true". In such an age of cold doubt and indifference may we go forth earnestly, as did the apostle Paul, with our hearts on fire and our souls aglow with resolute faith, and with voices of loving earnestness, heralding the glad tidings over vale and hill. THIS IS NEW: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and rose again for our justification". THIS IS TRUE: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him."
    The world needs this message. This is the FAITH that overcomes the world and opens the windows of heaven. Its power has never diminished. If 20th century Christians will walk by faith they may say with the great apostle, as he laid aside the armor of his warfare, reached upward to receive his crown and sent his shout of glorious tri-

umph across the centuries: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have KEPT THE FAITH Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing". May it be so with us!

    Ray Palmer, best known for his great hymn "My Faith Looks Up to Thee", was a man characterized by a warm, almost passionate devotion to Christ. His faith in the Saviour was so childlike and strong that it enabled him to rise above many external trials and burdens. Something of his personal love to the Christ may be seen reflected in the hymn that was his favorite.

    One of the difficult things in going to a mission field is the securing of funds for transportation. One of the many difficulties facing a missionary who has labored faithfully (in thinking of returning on furlough) is the expense involved in transporting his family to the homeland and then back to the mission field again. It seems that brethren are much more ready to support a missionary while he is on the field than to assist with his transportation.
    At the present time Bro. Dick Ferris is preparing to return to Japan where he has done a very good work. Funds for his passage are being received by the church that endorsed and sent him out -- Bethel Missionary Baptist, of Arvada, Co. Send your offering: c/o T. C. Richardson, 5990 Garland Street, Arvada Colorado.
    And Bro. Edgar Sullivan has recently made known his desire to return to the States as soon as the Lord (through His people) makes it possible. Your offering for his passage may be sent direct to him (since I know of no fund being set up to cover his expense).
      Edgar D. Sullivan
      Tokorozawa City
      Tokorozawa Heights
      House # 6231
      Saitama,Ken, Japan

    How long since YOU urged some one to trust in Jesus? Isn't it about time you did it? Again??