Matt. 17:19-20

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Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not
we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your
unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain
of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence
to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be
impossible unto you. [Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by]
[prayer and fasting.] Matt. 17: 19-20
The first thought that strikes the mind in reading this
passage seems to rest upon , or arise from the question
of the disciples on the failure to work the miracle of
casting out a devil from the lunatic child. They were
evidently disappointed themselves at the result. They
had recd. from Xr. Himself power and authority over all devils; and after
the 70 had returned from the[ir] mission of preaching + other ministrations
on which Xt. had sent them also, they reported joyfully to
Him [that] Lord even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.


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So, when they were called upon to cast out this lunatic devil
and found that for some [how] reason or other they failed
they were evidently disappointed, and perhaps mortified.
Besides, there was evinced in their question an evident ignorance
of the source of their power. They had said before
the devils were subject to them through Xrs name. And
it may be that they had supposed themselves permanently
endowed with the power, and insensibly had
recd. the impression that they had only to pronounce
the words of deliverance and the cure would be complete.
But their failure convinced them that something
was at fault in + about themselves; so they resorted
to the great teacher, who very promptly + briefly
solved the problem, by attributing their failure
to Unbelief.
This is a very precious lesson for them to learn,


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it is no less precious to us, that whenever we fail in an
effort to bring about any spiritual result, even in the
outward use of the ordained means, it is not to be attributed to any
defect in the system of Christianity itself, but invariably
to Unbelief.
The grand subject before us for contemplation suggested
by this passage, is Spiritual Power. By this
expression I do not mean, the Spiritual Power possessed
by the Apostles and primitive disciples, whereby
they had the gift of tongues, + the power of working
miracles. But I hold that there is a form of Spiritual
Power obtainable by Christians in all ages, which
consists in bringing into exercise the Power and Love
of God in answer to the fervent effectual prayer of
a righteous man. Prayer, it is said, moves the
arm of Omnipotence, and when that effect is produced


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by whatever means, we cannot but recognize it as the highest
form of Spiritual Power. Now you will not deny that
the possession of such power is exceedingly desirable.
Even a wicked man, who has no conception
of the means used + no taste for prayer, or communion
with God, thinks he sees at a glance that it would be
a wonderful advantage to him to possess the
power of influencing God to do for him what
he might wish. Of this we have the example of
Simon The Sorcerer who would have purchased the gift of
the H.G. with money. But to a Christian this
power with God is more desirable than any other
that could be bestowed upon him. There is no need
that I shd tell you in detail why it is so desirable.
A thousand reasons suggest themselves at the
mere [suggestion] mention of the subject. Power to prevail with God belonged to


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Abraham; it belonged to Jacob when he wrestled all
night with God, with the determined resolution I
will not let thee go except thou bless me; and when
he read the token of approval in the Divine change
of His name from Jacob, the supplanter, to Israel
the Prevailer. So now this is what every Xtan. desires
most of all; to prevail with God! Not to bring to pass
his own devices and designs by his own word of
command; but to be so wonderfully blest that he can
prevail with God to give him success in all his
lawful enterprises, + (prosperity in glee) his lawful efforts.
It is absolutely essential, as well as desirable. Without
it we cannot begin the Divine Life. By grace are
ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves
it is a gift of God. We need it in our onward
progress in the Divine Life. The life that I now live in


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the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who
loved me + gave himself for me. Tribulation
worketh patience; and patience experience; and
experience hope; and hope maketh not ashamed,
because the love of God is shed abroad in our
hearts by the H. G. which is given unto us.
Without me [*(negative side)*] says Xt., ye can do nothing. [*(Positive)*] I
can do all things through Xt. which strengtheneth
me.
Not only desirable, + essential, but obtainable,
as well. There are those among Gods dear chn,
who are often tempted to decide in their moments
of despondency, that they not only have
no Spiritual Power, no influence in the Court of Heaven,
but that it is not attainable by them. They
do not doubt for a moment that there is such


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a thing as this Spiritual Power; that it is very desirable,
and essential; and that others may
and do obtain it. But as for themselves the
Heavens are shot against their prayers, and
they are doomed to a life of feeble spiritual
growth, and to live at a poor dying rate. Now
such precious, suffering chn of God ought to be
told that this is but a snare of the devil, to make
them dishonor God. There is not a particle
more of ground for Abraham, or Jacob to
succeed in their efforts with God the Father, than
there is for the humblest child of God. Insensibly to
themselves these timid, self-distrustful ones, are prone to
attribute to those who seem to have a measure of
this Spiritual Power, the possession of some personal
qualification, or recommendation, that in some way


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entitled them to success. But there never was a greater
mistake. The sole ground of success in the individual
cases referred to, the only reason why
any of our race ever prevail with God in prayer is the infinite and unmerited
mercy of God our Heavenly Father through
the boundless merits of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And this mercy is not bestowed for any good
in us. All are alike undeserving of this
mercy in themselves considered, and there
is the same condition offered to all alike
upon the acceptance of which condition
one may obtain this spiritual Power, just as
readily as another. The greater, or smaller degree
of this power possessed by any one depends entirely
on the greater or smaller degree in which we
embrace the condition, and depend upon it.


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And I say this to encourage the timid. I would have them
know that they have the same warrant to expect
answers to prayer that the most eminent Christian
can claim, + that is the merits of Jesus Xr.
Do you ask what Faith is concerned about? What are
the objects to be brought into view, and on which it
rests? I answer 1st. God Himself; first, last, + evermore,
have faith in God. Doubt everything else, tc. Faith in His existence. He that
cometh to God must believe that He is. realize tc. What else?
He has Power to do all things. He is able to do exceeding
abundantly (not merely abundantly but exceedingly abundantly)
above all that we ask or think. What else?
We must believe also that He has the good will to
help us. So we finish the quotation He that cometh
unto God must believe (not only that He is) but that
He is a rewarder of them that diligently see Him.


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Then again, prevailing Faith requires that we fully recognize something
about ourselves; the first of which is our native depravity.
So did Job when he had fully realized God as his
voice came to him from the whirlwind I have
heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth
thee. Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust + ashes.
Then we must notwithstanding our depravity, recognize our native preciousness in
the sight of God. This will impress us with a realizing
sense of the amazing love of God. What shall it profit tc.
For the redemption of their soul, tc. God became man,
O for this love let rocks + hills, tc. You will understand
God better by this means. And then
again, Faith requires that we recognize mans religious capabilities.
Not in + of ourselves but as transformed by Divine
Grace. What was Paul? A miracle of Grace +
Power, and success. Yet this same Paul became the


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chief of the Apostles and the grandest Xter on
record in every sense of true grandeur. But after
all he testified by the grace of God I am what
I am! Mans religious capabilities by Grace are great and
he must realize them, so as to rise superior
to that shrinking timindity, and sing the battle
hymn of David: God is our refuge + strength
a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not
we fear though the earth be removed and though
the mountains be carried into the midst of the
sea. Though the waters thereof roar + be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling
thereof. So also, you may comprehend the fullness
of meaning in Davids words Thou shalt increase my greatness
and comfort me on every side.
Let us contemplate the extent of Faith as the


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condition of Spiritual Power. Men are ready to
stagger in their faith when they read what
is said in our passage about the mighty
results of so small a faith as a grain of mustard seed,
in that its possessor can say to the mountain
Remove hence to yonder place, and the mtn
shall remove. But there is needed some clearing
away of the mist erroneous interpretation,
in order that the preciousness of this declaration
of our Savior may be rightly appreciated.
I. This is not to be understood literally. It was a proverbial
saying. Luke has one similar; If ye had
faith as a grain of mustard seed ye might say unto this
Sycamine tree, tc. thou plucked up be the roots +
be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey
you. The Jews used such expressions to show that apparently


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Inseperable [inseparable] difficulties might be overcome. When
they intended to extol any of their Doctors, they said
of him he plucked up mountains by the roots.
And yet I do not say that in a literal sense our Lords words
might not be recd as true. There is nothing too hard
for genuine Faith. But what is the use of a literal interpretation? literal interpretations
of this kind are now unnecessary. You do not desire to move mtns. The age of
such miracles is past if it ever existed.
Besides the frequent occurrence of such things would cease to be
miraculous. Above all things Xts Kingdom depends upon spiritual
agency and not upon exhibitions of physical
Power. But now we desire to show how, by the power
of Faith, mountains may be removed. For, my beloved
brethren, there is a sense in which by this mighty
agency of genuine Faith, small in comparison as a
mustard-seed, we may say to a mountain Remove hence


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and it shall remove! [And now] When therefore I am asked again, what
is the extent of Faith as the condition of Spiritual
Power, I reply without a moments hesitation, it extends
to the working of Moral and Spiritual miracles.
The age of this class of miracles is not past;
it still exists; nor will it ever cease until
Faith is swallowed up in sight in the region
of perfect Heavenly Knowledge. The power of
Faith in the working of spiritual miracles is
absolutely unlimited. There is no mountain obstructing
our spiritual progress too lofty, too towering,
and too frightful in its projecting cliffs and
gloomy shadows, that may not be removed
by the imperial and resistless voice of
a Faith that lays hold of the eternal
God in whom is everlasting Strength.


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much valuable instruction I might impart in
discussing before you the method of removing
the mountains of Prejudice, and of Ignorance
by the potent energy of a rightly founded Faith.
Yet I cannot but feel, as doubtless you all
feel that such a discussion would be wholly
out of place, irrelevant, and even impertinent
in a company of sorrowing and heart-stricken
mourners, whose spirit, are yearning and longing
for relief from a burden too heavy to be
borne. So I make use of all these preliminary
reflections to be illustrated and applied to
the power of Faith in removing the mountain
I. of Sorrow. Now, my beloved friends, there are three
things desirable about sorrow. (1) Its avoidance. (2)
Its sanctification. (3) Its consolation. In regard to the 1st. Alas! it is


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too late for that, in our case in connection with the
terrible affliction through which we have just
past. Those of you [sat by] with enduring love have attended the bed of
pain and fever + death as these engines of destruction
were gradually working their way to the citadel of life, felt
that the removal of the deadly plague was that
which was to be sought for, + no doubt full
many an ardent prayer in agonizing faith
went up to the Fathers throne that the cup of death
might pass. But like the Saviors prayer the
answer came not thus; Gods will not ours
must always be done. As to the two other things
to be desired, these remain and the mountain
of your sorrow, the terrible burden of your
grief, will only be removed when these two results
shall have been obtained. When in answer


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answer to the prayer of Faith, the grace of God shall
have been imparted to you, to sanctify you
wholly; to render you more + more holy and
heavenly minded; when by the spirit of all
Holiness you shall find your heart losing
its hold upon the empty perishing objects
of time and sense; when Earth seems to be losing
its attractions for you, and Heaven seems
to be gaining; when your spirit holding communion
with the powers of the world to come,
turns from earth as dull, + realizes its transitory
nature; when Heaven seems more glorious
and sweet by reason of the sorrow of earth;
when your thoughts seem drawn to the service
of God more earnestly and devotedly, and zealously,
and successfully than ever before, then you may


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safely conclude that the mountain of your sorrow
has heard the powerful voice of Faith saying
Remove hence!; and now you may begin
to realize it first motions, and to find
that the spirit within you is feeling the gradual
uplifting of that heavy burden which
was crushing out its very life, and day
by day, relief comes in more enduring form,
and you begin to feel with David: it is good
for me that I have been afflicted; that I might
learn thy statutes. And your experience will
be his: Before I was afflicted I went astray;
but now have I kept thy word. So, God hath
given you some better thing than that for which
you agonized; not the avoidance of the affliction
but its sanctification. And now the complete


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removal of your mountain of sorrow will be effected
when you obtain the last of these
desirable things Consolation. O how the
bleeding heart cries out for some support
when the wound is fresh, and how it will
continue to cry out for it, so long as memory
is busy in keeping alive the image of the loved,
the departed, the lamented! But this consolation
comes only through the sanctification of
the affliction, of which we have just spoken. And
when the result of grief seems to draw us
nearer to God; when out of our story grief
Bethet Gods house we raise Gods work
we love to do; when a Divine sympathy draws
us nearer to each other, and we can now weep
with those that weep; as in their days of prosperity


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we rejoiced with those that rejoiced; then we
found God our Maker who gave us songs
of joy in the might of sorrow; then we
found delight in Gods service, our highest
happiness is doing His will, and while
deeply enshrined in our inmost spirit we
keep the namest memory of those we loved, and
from we have parted, never, never to be forgotten,
still fixing our eyes upon the goal of our race,
the Heaven built for us, and the rest remaining
for us, we onward march away, and as we
go we fill each flying moment with words +
deeds of Love, and [ch???t] the happy songs
of the Homeward bound; and feel that (when the summons comes,) we
shall joyfully lay down the worn + weary
frame and mount on wings of love + joy to a fadeless inheritance


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inheritance of the saints in Light. [The] Sorrows mountain
has removed; we hardly know how; but it was
done when Faith fastened the hands that
hung down to the Cross of Christ, and when
Faith strengthened the weakened knees, and
Heavenly courage braced the soul, and the
walk of Life was by Faith + not by sight.
Then relief came + not till then. Even Earth
grew brighter, as it basked in the Sunlight
of Heaven, and was bathed in the glory of
Christian Hope.
If any of my dear friends still linger in darkness,
+ say why could [not] we cast out this dark shadow
of Sorrow? We can only say because of your
unbelief. Let Faith in God, and trust in His power,
and Good will enter in and abide upon the throne


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of your hearts, and all will be well. Realize your
need, your souls value, your religious capabilities,
and feel that all success depends upon the
Power + Love of God which will be imparted
to you. [Address] Offer yourselves to the multitude
of avenues of Christian work, and go about
doing good, as did Jesus; and thus there
will be wrought in you a mighty Spiritual
Power, which will enable you to banish
the demon of Unbelief, and remove
the Mountain of Sorrow.
What we need in this time of pressure is a
stronger Faith in the Divine--Human Scheme of
Redemption the Life the death [*efficacy*] the intercession [*Power*]
of Jesus Christ we need to realize Xt. to feel
that He is the grandest reality in Gods Universe.


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It is a species of Unbelief to doubt the [reality] universality of the
imitations, and the success of the proclamations of
the Gospel.
It is a species of Unbelief to doubt the reality of the
spirits influences, the necessity of His Power, the
boundless extent of His promises + His fidelity in
their fulfillment.
It is a species of Unbelief, which doubts the reality
of the unseen, unknown hereafter; to realize time
and not Eternity; to regard the interests of the
present life and more important than those of the
life to come; to think Time nearer to us than
Eternity. It is a sad evidence of the extensive
prevalence of practical Unbelief, when we
cannot feel the solemnities of Judgement; when
we cannot appreciate the attractions of Heaven;


when we do not realize the existence and fearfulness
of Hell.
It is fatal to success in prayer for sanctification
or consolation, when we go to God under the shadow
of Unbelief.
But when the burden rests most heavily, go to Gods thro
the Lord Jesus, and by the ever present help
of the Holy Spirit, and while you cannot lose
the consciousness of the deep, + still bleeding wound in
your heart, your burden will become daily lighter,
and all Holy objects + subjects will have entrance
into your soul, and the Light of Heaven will be
there to drive out the gloom of as Sorrow. Work for God +
your fellow men, and every deed of love + kindness will
lift you higher + higher until on the eagle wings of
Faith you soar far above these clouds of woe and find your
home amid the mansions of Eternal Blessedness. Page 2