August 9

"The fruit of the Spirit is faith." — Galatians 5:22.

THE term faith, as used in Scripture, has several acceptations. The system of Christianity is designated "the faith." Faith is that principle by which we are justified in the sight of God, as we are enabled to believe in the righteousness of Christ. In the passage before us, we are led to view the operation of this principle. It includes

SINCERITY OF HEART. The tree must first be made good, or we cannot expect that the fruit should be so. Sincerity is the very soul of religion, and the seat of godliness is in the heart. All our religious professions and performances will be unavailing if we are insincere.

"For God abhors the sacrifice Where not the heart is found."

TRUTH IN LANGUAGE. This requirement is binding on us as men, but especially as Christians; and it is violated by lying, prevarication, and exaggeration. There is no knowing to what awful lengths an individual will run when he once forsakes the standard of truth, and thinks lightly of a falsehood.

INTEGRITY OF CONDUCT. We must be just and honorable in our dealings with mankind. Every representation we make must be correct to the best of our knowledge, and every promise fulfilled to the fullest extent of our ability and means. There must be a diligent and conscientious discharge of the various duties incumbent on us in the different stations in which Divine Providence has placed us; there are sacred and social obligations, there are also talents with which God has intrusted some, such as genius, station, talent, wealth, and time. Let us think seriously of the period when the season of our probation shall terminate, and our final account must be rendered to our Judge.