A Christian's Credentials
A CHRISTIAN'S CREDENTIALS.—What are they? Not the blossoms of a fair profession, but the ripe and mellow fruit of God-like actions. Cornelius' prayers and alms came up as a memorial before God—not his prayers alone, nor his alms alone, but his prayers and alms. Beautiful conjunction. Piety towards God, and an active charity towards all mankind; the twin personifications of vital, saving piety. Salvation is of grace, not of merit, not of works lest any man should boast. But faith, without works, is dead. It is like an index, without a book; like hands, without a clock; like sails, without a ship; like a tree with nothing but dry and withered branches. Professed disciple of Christ, to prove thy discipleship genuine, thou must surround thyself with widows, whom thou hast comforted—with orphans, whom thou hast succored—with the ignorant, whom thou hast instructed—with the wandering, whom thou hast reclaimed—with the hungry, whom thou hast fed—with the naked, whom thou hast clothed—with the sick, whom thou hast visited. These are thy trophies!