(from Dagg's "Manual of Theology")

It may be profitable to linger yet a little time
at the cross, that we may again survey its glory,
and feel its soul subduing power.

In the cross of Christ, all the divine perfections
are gloriously and harmoniously displayed. Infinite
love, inviolable truth, and inflexible justice are all
seen, in their brightest and most beautifully mingled
colors. The heavens declare the glory of God; but
the glory of the cross outshines the wonders of the
skies. God's moral perfections are here displayed,
which are the highest glory of his character.

The cross of Christ is our only hope of life everlasting.
On him who hangs there, our iniquities were laid, and from
his wounds flows the blood that cleanses from all sin.
Our faith views the bleeding victim, and peacefully relies
on the great atoning sacrifice. It views mercy streaming
from the cross; and to the cross it comes to obtain
every needed blessing.

In the cross, the believer finds the strongest motive to
holiness. As we stand before it, and view the exhibition of
the Savior's love, we resolve to live to him who died for us.

The world ceases to charm.

We become crucified to the world, and the world crucified to us.

Sin appears infinitely hateful. We regard it as the
accursed thing which caused the death of our beloved
Lord; and we grow strong in the purpose to wage
against it an exterminating war. By all the Savior's
agonies, we vow to have no peace with it for ever.

The cross is the place for penitential tears.

We look on him whom we have pierced, and mourn.

Our hearts bleed at the sight of the bleeding
sufferer, murdered by our sins; and we resolve
that the murderers shall die!

The cross is a holy place, where we learn to be like
Christ, to hate sin as he hated it, and to delight in
the law of God which was in his heart.

In the presence of the cross, we feel that omnipotent
grace has hold of our heart; and we surrender to dying
love. The doctrine of the cross needs no other demonstration
of its divine origin, than its power to sanctify the heart,
and bring it into willing and joyful subjection to Christ.