Christianty without Christ [pp. 352-362]

3 CHRISTIANITY WITH OUT CHRIST. [April,
hating one another. But after the kindness and love of God
our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved
us, by the washing of regeneration and tbe renewing of the
Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus
Christ our Saviour, that, being justified by grace, we should be
heirs according to the promise, of eternal life." They, therefore,
labored for the reformation and salvation of men, by going everywhere preaching Christ as the only Saviour from sin.
What Christianity was in the hearts of the apostles, it has
been in the hearts of Christians of all ages, and in all parts of
the world. Of this, every Christian has the evidence in his
own experience. Christ is to him both God and man-God
manifest in the flesh; God surrounded by the rainbow of humanity, which softens, diversifies, and beautifies his rays.
Christ he worships, trusts, loves, and obeys. Christ is his ~visdom, his righteousness, his sanctification, his redemption.
Christ is ever near him, so that he can be spoken to, appealed
to, and communed with; a present help in every time of need.
Christ is the Christian's portion for time and for eternity.
With Christ he has everything, and without him he has
nothing.
The experience of one Christian is the experience of all.
This is the conscious bond of their union. The hymns which
live through all ages, are hymns of praise to Christ. All
Protestants can join with St. Bernard, when he says: "Jesus,
the~ very thought of Thee, With sweetness fills my breast; But
sweeter far Thy face to see, And in Thy presence rest. When
once Thou visitest the heart, Then light begins to shine, Then
earthly vanities depart; Then kindles love divine. Jesus, our
only joy be Thou, As Thou our prize shalt be; Jesus, be Thou
our glory now, And through eternity." "JESUS, OUR 13EING'S HOPE AND END." They can also join with that other
Bernard, who says of heaven: "The Lamb is all thy splendor, The Crucified thy praise, His laud and benediction, His
ransomed people raise." What is true of the Christianity of
Nhe medi~val saints, is true of believers now. Toplady's
hymn "Rock of Ages, cleft for me," finds a response in every
Christian heart, So does his hymn, "Compared with Christ, in
all besides, No comeliness I see; The one thing needful, dear