We  have  thus  been  led  to  consider  more  deeply  the  ethical
teaching  of  Christ ;  for  example  the  sins  that  he  especially
denounced — pride  and  covetousness.  Are  not  these  the
sins  that  have  produced  a  very  large  share  of  all  the  world's
misery  ?  On  the  other  side  are  seen  the  virtues  on  which
he  pronounced  his  blessings — lowliness,  voluntary  poverty,
self-sacrifice,  and  beneficence  like  his  own.  They  are
impracticable,  we  are  told ;  but  who  has  made  them  imprac-
ticable ?  And  what  are  the  results  of  our  worldly  wisdom,  as
opposed  to  his  teaching  ?  What  have  we  to  boast  of,  now
that  we  have  gained  the  whole  world  ?  Is  it  peace  ?  What
is  there  to  be  gained  practically  by  the  abolition  of  our
faith  ?  On  the  other  hand,  might  not  the  world  be  made,
comparatively  speaking,  a  Paradise,  if  our  lives  could  first
be  made  accordant  to  our  faith  ?

Of  all  conceivable  errors  the  greatest  is  our  modern  error
—especially  German — which  would  ascribe  to  philosophy
the  origin  of  our  Christian  faith.  Its  true  source  is  found
in  love — in  that  superhuman  and  personal  attraction  by
which  St.  Paul  was  overcome,  melted  down,  and  transmuted
in  heart  and  life.  In  his  case  the  fact  is  well  known  as  a
marvellous  instance  of  conversion.  His  fervid  eloquence
has  made  it  known  throughout  the  whole  world.  But  there
lived  multitudes  of  converts  in  his  day;  men  whose  faith
and  devotion,  as  deep  and  sincere  as  his  own,  were  inspired
by  the  presence  of  Christ  himself;  men  whose  lowly
character  is  suggested  by  such  energetic  words  as  these : —


CHAPTER   XIX. — CHRISTIAN   EVIDENCES.  497

"Things  which  are  despised  hath  God  chosen,  yea  and
things  which  are  not,  to  bring  to  nought  things  that  are."
The  Church  was  a  union  of  souls,  all  attracted  by  one  divine
love  to  one  centre.  If  we  seek  for  some  illustration  of  that
power  of  attraction  and  cohesion,  it  will  be  found  in  the
force  of  gravitation  rather  than  in  the  dead  thoughts  of  "  vain
philosophy."  That  power  was  ethical,  not  intellectual.
