ed
to profess very long among them. It was not a mixed multitude, part
saved, part unsaved, part trying to do God's will, and part with a
bent on pleasure and full of worldliness. They were all full of grace.
They were humble, too, and consecrated. They were not classified as
rich and poor--they were all brethren, and the wealthier members had
a care for the poorer members' temporal welfare. What a contrast with
the churches as they exist today! My heart longs for a pure, united
church which will bear the pure testimony to the world."

"Mary, do you suppose that there is any church today like the early
church was?" asked Robert.

"I do not know," said Mary. "It may be that there is."

"Do you suppose the 'church of God,' in whose interests this paper is
printed, can be that pure apostolic church?" said Robert. "What
should the true church be called, anyway? This paper says it is
'non-sectarian.' What is a sect? What does 'non-sectarian' mean? Say,
Mary, let us set this afternoon apart as a time of investigation of
what the Bible has to say about the church. What do you say?"

"Let us do that," said Mary. "We have not read the Scriptures at all
on this subject. Now, since we wish to find a church home, it would be
well to first search the Scriptures; probably the Bible will direct us
in this most important step."

CHAPTER SEVEN

WHAT SAY THE SCRIPTURES?

After dinner on that day, Robert and Mary Davis prayerfully and
reverently began a study on the New Testament church. They had not, as
we have intimated before, made any particular effort to ascertain
what the Scriptures had to say about this subject. It was not until
circumstances forced the issue upon them that any particular concern
about it entered into their minds. On this day, however, they began
a most earnest investigation of the matter. They had determined
beforehand to accept whatever the Scriptures had to say about it, and
to abide by their teachings.

"I have a concordance ready, Mary," said Robert, "so let us begin. May
God direct us in this Bible study."

"I shall bring the Scripture textbook and the Bible," said Mary. "I am
ready."

"I suppose that we may as well take the first text in the
concordance," said Robert. "It is Matt. 16:18."

"'And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it,'" read Mary.

"I have heard a few discussions about t