New-York tribune., 1875-03-08
A LIVING FAITH.

Tn, R,p s. Pobnson d. d. tn Memorial Presbyterian Church
AT the Memorial Presbyterian Church, at
Mad,,on-ave and Fifty -thrdst.. yesterday morning.
the pastor the Rev Dr. c. s. Robinson, delivered tho
sermon taking his from Philippians. H. 81: For TO
me TO live Is Christ"
The historical life indicated in the text ITSELF docs not
SEEM at first sight, welcome one. We can form
better apprecation Of tho latter part Of this verse
than of tine former" and to die is GAIN. Prosecuted
and perplexed, Paul may DO very easily understood
when he SAYS i. would be gain for him to dc But the
earliest thought of almost every student OF history
would be that II for him to live was CHRIST
tho circumstances in which this apostle teen
was placed would 60 TO show that Christ was
most my sterious and difficult leader. to live for and
vet The result bellies tho conclusions. Paus suf
ferngs made converts the faith Tho phraseoogy OF
the remarkable. The Apostle does not say TO me
Christ honors Christ or please5 Christ
He ees not say live on by. through or even for Christ
He is singularly explicit Ia his expression 10 me to
live is Christ" II he meant to declare that between
him and the Saviour there was p9svey @ M NV ,e m
In the first place the CHRISTIAN lIIe mas % i,s D
with what Is called regeneration. or new
birth; IL contains a new spirit IL advances
not reach its phenomena. In what way or b. what
work God changes soul from evil to GOOD
the human understanding an impenetraDie mysIrry.
Our only information comes from .eVeatois, wea 80
learn this much that tue beginning OF new o 70 a.
the Its condition IL faith It's ground - the saviour
sacrificed, its worker is the Holy Ghost In some way
Chriss death on the cross was accepted nsteHu J" , @
might be in His And hence live by Him. aud 1--we ID
HIM, and upon Him. - T.,
In the place. the life has its sustenapce IN
Christ every hour OF its continuance To HID
Christianity only the food from the Fathers house
IN which there is enough spare. Tue soul yearns
for Redeemer, shall be Coo, for II can trust no
one who is not divine. But it yearns still more for
Redoemer who shall be Man, for 1t can lay It's burden
at the feet OF no one who Is not human. Jesus M o,
Nazaefh meets the desire In the thlrd pace, you
are to remember that Christ Is nodel Ior
the Christian. He is not only the Degihnlns
of this new life, Hs is also the pattern
according to which all its progress IL made christ
suffered for u.s." the apostle leaving us an ex
annie that We should follow In His steps" Wnat VIC
cali molung character, the Bible calls being conoTeu
10 the image GOd's We have our great fpOdr III
Christ after whom we expected TO fashion ourselves
in every respect. And now, from all TINS, how easy 10
Ak test Of true Christian character HOW are We Nv
inpi Is II In false or genuine pety Are We living
Cnristansf Those bold words for Sc PAU 10 say
BE We followers OF me as also am OF Christ" Again
he sayC, From nencefOrth let no man DOUBT me- iOr
bear IN my body the marks of the LORD jesus 10
those no live Christ, tIcrd is nothing except gam
in death All that the Christian has to DO 10 to depart
aud be with CAIis for living or DYING he Is alike tho