The One Foundation by Thomas Monod

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 26, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 33.

The One Foundation.

By Thomas Monod

THERE is a word which is used more, I think, with us in France than with you in England, in reference to religious meeting,—it is the word, “edify.” We ask the question, often-times, “Have you been edified?” Now “edified” does not mean moved or interested, but built up. And if you want to know whether you have been edified here, I can tell you who has been and who has not. Only those have been truly edified who have been building on Christ. “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” And no building is worth anything that is not built upon him. Suppose a man should lay a foundation at one corner of a street, and should go on building his house at another corner, that house would not be edified very quickly. Many people try to build themselves up on doctrines, or systems, or on their own emotions. But, brethren, we are learning here to build ourselves up on Christ. Let us, then, lay everything upon him, that goes to make up our building. If we get hold of a new truth, let us lay it on Christ. If God gives us joy we must lay it there, or if he gives us sorrow we must lay it there; whatever comes, sunshine or shadow, peace or conflict, lay it there. And there are small stones needed in a building as well as large ones, so you must take all the little things of your lives and lay them upon him. It is a blessed way to do, it grows wonderfully better every day, and thus we shall truly “build ourselves on our most holy faith.” —Thomas Monod.