But this View misses the essence of Christianity, and perceives in it simply one among other great religions Of mankind. Those are merely systems Of conduct and worship, the best methods that men were able to devise for winning that favor Of superior beings which has been universally under stood by the human mind to be necessary for the attainment Of happiness. They are the mature products of that wisdom whichmen gained from the tree Of knowledge of good and evil, while as yet they had found no way to pass the angel who guarded with flam ing sword the tree of life. As systems of conduct they are, in some instances at least, highly successful. Some Of them might have been refined and purified and have served well enough as a rule Of conduct; but our Lord refused to adopt any existing system, because His aim was not merely to promote conduct and worship, but also, and chiefly, to impart to men the gift that He came to bring, the gift Of life. This Object is plainly declared in the Scriptures: as S. Paul says, The gift Of God is eternal life. This is the record, says 5. John, that God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Christ says, For this cause came I into the world, that they might have life and He that hath the Son hath life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

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