Bible Truths Illustrated by J. C. Ferdinand Pittman

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BIBLE TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED
been revealed in its original beauty. We must endeavor to tear
away everything extraneous, that the faith of the early church
may once more be clearly revealed in its original simplicity and
beauty.
144. Detach Christianity from Christ, and it vanishes before
our eyes into intellectual vapor. Christianity is non-existent
apart from Christ; it centres in Christ; it radiates now, as at
the first, from Christ. It perishes outright when men attempt
to abstract it from the living person of its Founder. Canon
Liddon.
145. Judge not Christianity, even by its most perfect embodiment
in the life of its disciples here. Do not judge the science
of that organ-builder by that half-finished instrument in his
workshop. There is but little in that to please the eye, and
from it scarce a note can be evolved to charm the ear. Judge
the organ-builder by the instrument as it stands in the great
cathedral, pouring forth, by the touch of a master musician,
pealing strains of music, electrifying the congregated thousands.
Even so judge Christianity. Its organ is not half finished here
in its workshop. Yonder, in the great cathedral of eternity, you
will see it in perfection, and feel the inspirations of its harmonies.
— Dr. Thomas.
146. I willingly believe the witnesses who let their throats be
cut to attest the truth of what they believe. Pascal.
147. "I met a man who asked me where I was going. 'To
the prayer-meeting,' I said. 'The Christian religion is a mere
notion,' he replied. Said I : 'Stranger, you see that tavern over
there? The time was, as everybody in this town knows, that if
I had a shilling in my pocket I could not pass that tavern without
going and getting a drink. But God has changed my heart,
and the Lord Jesus has destroyed my thirst for strong drink.
There is my whole week's wages, and I have no temptation to
go in there. Stranger, if this is a notion, I want to tell you it
is a mighty powerful notion ; it is a notion that has put clothes
on my children's backs, good food on our table, and has filled
my mouth with thanksgiving to God.'
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