John Angell James

Christian Fellowship, the Church Member's Guide John Angell James

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." 1 Cor. 13:2 We must come back to the first principles of practical piety, and cultivate the passive virtues of the Christian character. We must remember that Christianity is being like Christ, and that unless we partake of that love which is patient and kind, which does not envy, nor boast, nor is proud, nor rude, nor self-seeking, nor easily angered, which keeps no record of wrongs-we are nothing! Strange indeed it is, that men, who by their own confession are lost, vile, ruined, helpless sinners-should lack HUMILITY; and that they who believe themselves to be saved from hell by unmerited mercy-should be destitute of LOVE! We must crucify that selfishness, which fixes upon its own gratification, and cherish that expansive benevolence which looks upon the good of others. We must contend to be lowest-not to be highest! We must seek to please, and not merely to be pleased. Let us remember that HUMILITY and LOVE are   the necessary fruits of our doctrines,   the highest beauty of our character, and   the guardian angels of our churches!