March 7

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all, and in all. - Colossians 3:11.

A POWERFUL writer has justly said that “there are some persons who have no essentials, and there are others who have no circumstantials, in their creed.” And this testimony is to a considerable extent true. There are many persons who seem altogether regardless of doctrinal sentiments and principles; all opinions are equally important with them. Then there are others who regard almost every thing as equally important in religion. They lay as much stress on the discipline of a church, as upon its doctrines; upon the mode of administering an ordinance, as upon the ordinance itself; they plead as much for the “tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin,” as for the “weightier matters of the law,”-“judgment, mercy, and faith:” while one of these parties has no room for faith, the other has no room for charity. The former are slaves of licentiousness, and the latter are the dupes of legality. We are, however, required to distinguish between things that differ; and to regulate our attention towards them by the degree of their qualities.

Surely there are differences between a speculative opinion and a practical truth,-between the ornament of a bridge and the keystone of the arch. We should, therefore, be concerned to regulate our opinions and conduct by those parts of the Scriptures which diminish the value of inferior things in religion and magnify the importance of superior ones,-those Scriptures which inspire us with “everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace;” which lead to reconcile Christians to each other, and embattle them only against a common foe; so that, if they must strive, they may be led “to strive together for the faith once delivered to the saints.” And such is the language of the apostle when he says, “The kingdom of God is not in word but in power;” and, again, “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” And, in this place, “Christ is all, and in all.”