o Him the men that had seen Him. It stands as an unique fact
in the history of the world, that from Christ of Nazareth there rays
out through all the ages the spiritual power which absolutely takes
possession of men, dominates them and turns them into His organs and
instruments. This generation prides itself upon testing all things by
an utilitarian test, and about every system says:--'Well, let us see
it working.' And I do not think that Christianity need shrink from
the test. With all its imperfections, the long procession of holy men
and women who, for nineteen centuries, have been marching through
history, owning Christ as their Conqueror, and ascribing all their
goodness to Him, is a witness to His power to sway and to satisfy
men, the force of whose testimony it is hard to overthrow. And I
would like to ask the simple question: Will any system of belief or
of no belief, except the faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice, do the
like for men? He leads through the world the train of His captives,
the evidence of His conquests.

And then, further, let me remind you that out of this representation
there comes a very stimulating and solemn suggestion of duty for us
Christian people. We are bound to live, setting forth whose we are,
and what He has done for us. Just as the triumphal procession took
its path up the Appian Way and along the side of the Forum to the
altar of the Capitol, wreathed about by curling clouds of fragrant
incense, so we should march through the world encompassed by the
sweet and fragrant odour of His name, witnessing for Him by word,
witnessing for Him by character, speaking for Him and living like
Him, showing in our life that He rules us, and professing by our
words that He does; and so should manifest His power.

Still further, Paul's thanksgiving teaches us that we should be
thankful for all opportunities of doing such work. Christian men and
women often grudge their services and grudge their money, and feel as
if the necessities for doing Christian work in the world were
rather a burden than an honour. This man's generous heart was so full
of love to his Prince that it glowed with thankfulness at the thought
that Christ had let him do such things for Him. And He lets you do
them if you will.

So, dear friends, it comes to be a very solemn question for us. What
part are we playing in that great triumphal procession? We are all of
us marching at His chariot wheels, whether we know it or not. Bu