is really a being apart. The nearer I approach Him and the
closer I examine Him, the more everything seems above me."

It is this wonderful life, its example and inspiration, which
was the real object of the descent of this high spirit on to our
planet. If the human race had earnestly centred upon that
instead of losing itself in vain dreams of vicarious sacrifices
and imaginary falls, with all the mystical and contentious
philosophy which has centred round the subject, how very
different the level of human culture and happiness would be to-
day! Such theories, with their absolute want of reason or
morality, have been the main cause why the best minds have been
so often alienated from the Christian system and proclaimed
themselves materialists. In contemplating what shocked their
instincts for truth they have lost that which was both true and
beautiful. Christ's death was worthy of His life, and rounded
off a perfect career, but it is the life which He has left as
the foundation for the permanent religion of mankind. All the
religious wars, the private feuds, and the countless miseries of
sectarian contention, would have been at least minimised, if not
avoided, had the bare example of Christ's life been adopted as
the standard of conduct and of religion.

But there are certain other considerations which should have
weight when we contemplate this life and its efficacy as an
example. One of these is that the very essence of it was that He
critically examined religion as He found it, and brought His
robust common sense and courage to bear in exposing the shams and
in pointing out the better path. THAT is the hall-mark of
the true follower of Christ, and not the mute acceptance of