as signifying
churches should be dropped in favour of the nobler word, and that the
preacher, in particular, should cease to use it in this relationship?
Unless we are wrong in our reading of history this use of the term grew
out of the view, long held by the founder of Methodism, that while the
Anglican community was the _Church_, the assemblies collected by
himself were merely groups of people meeting for mutual help in
spiritual things. The time came, no doubt, when he would have been
willing to allow to these assemblies, as to the great community of
which they were the individual congregations, the title for which we
plead; though he himself it must be remembered, remained a member of
the Church of England until his death. Let the preacher take very high
ground on this matter. This little band of lowly men and women meeting
in their humble sanctuary by the wayside for intercourse on spiritual
things, for the hearing of the word of life, for mutual encouragement
in the celestial pilgrimage, for praise and prayer and breaking of
bread; this little company "gathered together in My name," Jesus being
"in the midst;" this little circle upon which is shed abroad the Holy
Ghost for the teaching, comforting, sanctifying and anointing of the
heavenly Bride--this little company, we say, is more than a "society."
Its members form a _church_, and theirs are the glory, the privileges,
the obligations of that "upper room" of eternal memory. Let them be
told this--kept in remembrance of it--led to delight in it--encouraged
to glory concerning it. Let it be laid down that it is not for this
village fellowship to thank any man or woman, however exalted his or
her social station, for condescending to membership therein, but that
the honour of the association lies in being permitted an entrance into
the fold, small as is the number of the flock and lowly as its members
may be. We are confident that the scattered churches of our name need
lifting into a realisation of their high dignity in Christ Jesus. Of
all the subjects waiting for earnest study, and to which we as
preachers, both ministers and laymen, need for the sake of present day
necessities to turn our minds, none is more important than this. The
Church can only retain, or rather, perhaps, we ought to have said--can
only enter into her power through self-realisation. _Here_ is need for
a systematic educational work, and, should it be left undone, we must
not be astonis