It is by faith

(J. A. James, "The Death of Mrs. Sherman" May 28, 1848)

It is by faith, as an operative principle of universal obedience
to the gospel of Christ, that the believer "purifies his heart" and
adorns his character with "the beauties of holiness," through
the power of the Divine Spirit.

It is by faith that he overcomes the world . . .
  the dread of its frown,
  the desire of its smile,
  its evil maxims,
  its corrupt principles.

It is by faith that he . . .
  quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one,
  is delivered from the wiles of the devil,
  and bruises the serpent's head.

It is by faith, as a pilgrim and stranger upon earth, he
nourishes the desire for, and indulges the expectation of,
that country which God has promised to those who love Him.

It is by faith that he rises superior to the love of life, vanquishes
the fear of death, and while this monster puts his most horrid
form of mischief on--he smiles at his terrors, and, swelling into
rapture, exclaims, "O death, where is your sting!"