An Appeal to the Great Names of the Past
R. W. Dale, LL. D. Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.… We know the power of any appeal to the great names of our secular history. There is no scholar, however humble or obscure, whose exhausted energy is not renewed when he is reminded of the famous students of former times. The honours which cluster and thicken, as the ages roll by, sound the names of great poets, artists, philosophers, statesmen, stimulate the enthusiasm and sustain the energy of those who, in distant times and countries, strive for the same glory. When nations are struggling for freedom, it is not living patriotism alone which gives strength to their arms and daring to their hopes — the memory of the patriots of other lands and of other centuries kindles enthusiasm and inspires heroic endurance. Defeated, while living, in their conflicts with tyranny, they triumph gloriously after death. (R. W. Dale, LL. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. WEB: Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.