O human being can have control, sometimes cause sluggishness in
the character of a church. The hearts of God's people
are often deeply affected by witnessing the indifference and carelessness
of the people, and still more
affected by a falling off in their numbers. When the godly man
ceaseth and the faithful fail from among the children of men, it
is distressing; but such is the lot of man that we are
often called upon to witness the truthfulness of the prophet's
statement. All true Christians love the godly because they are faithful.
The term _faithful_ implies truth, sincerity and fidelity.
Christ, our great example, is called the
faithful and true witness. The use of the term in our religion indicates believers in
Christ--_obedient believers_--_faithful brethren in Christ_. Col. i: 2. Sometimes it is equivalent
to the word _true_, as in 2d Tim., ii: 2--"Faithful men;"
the fidelity of the persons alluded to had been tried--_proven_. And again, it means a Christian, in opposition to an infidel, as
in 2d Cor. vi: 15--"What part hath he that believeth
with an infidel?" A good man is faithful in his business transactions; faithful to his _profession_, adhering
to the principles
of the gospel and laboring to be faithful to death; faithful in the discharge of his
duties; faithful in the employment of his talents; faith
ful in
all things committed to his trust; faithful to his promises; faithful in his friendship. These men fail and cease by means of death. The fathers, where are they? And the teachers, do they live forever? The visitations of death
are often mysterious to us. Sometimes the most brilliant in