Every one who comes to church during this week, and asks himself why he comes, will naturally turn in thought to the death of Christ. Beside that overwhelming event all lesser things shrink easily out of view. And yet the complaint is heard on every side that the cross has lost its old power over the hearts of men. There is indeed but too much truth in the complaint. We need not go far to look for signs of this strange indifference. We have only to question ourselves honestly, and see whether the stirring of our own hearts at this time is not miserably feeble, a forced and doubtful quiver on the surface when we know there ought to be a shaking to the very depths. There are many things which have their share in bringing about this state of mind, some arising from our own faults and shortcomings, others from our being taught or otherwise led to view the cross of Christ in a very different light from that in which it stands in the gospel.