The Divino faw is the only tangible
hope of the salvation of the world,— This noble work must, commence with the church, with those who.claim to be . disciple-learners of Christ- Christians. They, must manifest an unshaken confidence in the Divine law as the only hope of the world, as the only sure basis of Christian faith and action.
When, and where, men legislate for the church of Christ, they, by this act manifest a want of full confidence in the Divine law. So far as the great Law-giver made laws, he mftdothem good;but he left itforwsto finish, each one to suit himself with, time, place and circumstances. But he gave no sutih liberty to men. They have done vio¬ lence to their religious freedom.
Hence, as remarked Vofoio, the originalchurch |6gi8latio,n is done by the Cler¬ gy, who, in alniost every age of the church, have been after power. Ilonce their complicated systems of church government, in which the'largest pos¬ sible amount of power is held by them.
And now, "Wero the whole Chris¬ tian world to revert back to the origi¬ nal model, (given by Christ and his Apostles) bow far more simple, uni¬ form, and beautiful would the church appear, and ho-w far more agreeable to the ecclesiastical polity instituted by the holy Apostles/"—President Stiles.
The body, or Church of Christ is one —itis a oohsolidated unit, and it is composed of all living, active, obedient believers, in the Messiah, as the sent of the Eternal Eather, such as are de¬ votional and obedient to the divine