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(Octavius Winslow, 1852)
It has been the distinctive aim, and the sincere desire of my ministry--to make known and to endear the Savior to your hearts.
Oh, how worthy is He . . .
of your most exalted conceptions,
of your most implicit confidence,
of your most self-denying service,
of your most fervent love!
When He could give you no more--and the fathomless depths of His love, and the boundless resources of His grace, would not be satisfied by giving you less--He gave you Himself!
Robed in your nature,
oppressed with your sorrows,
laden with your curse,
wounded for your transgressions,
and slain for your sins--
He gave His entire self for you!
His redeeming work now finished--He is perpetually engaged in meting out blessings to His people, from the exhaustless treasures of His love! He constantly woos your affection--invites your grief--and bids you to come with your daily trials to His sympathy, and with your hourly guilt to His blood. You cannot in your drafts upon Christ's fullness, be too covetous; nor in your expectations of supply, be too extravagant! You may fail, as, alas! the most of us do, in making too little of Christ--but you cannot fail, in making too much of Him!
It is utterly impossible to know Christ, and not become inspired with a desire . . .
to love Him supremely,
to serve Him devotedly,
to resemble Him closely,
to glorify Him faithfully here,
and to enjoy Him fully hereafter!
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