ue respect to, historic Christianity, the
prophecies respecting the church and its destiny, and the fundamental
characteristics of our holy religion as it emanated from the divine
Founder.

If this work can be of service in pointing out Christ's plan and
purpose to "gather together in one the children of God which are
scattered abroad," and also be instrumental in helping to accomplish
this grand Christian ideal, I shall feel abundantly repaid. F.G.
SMITH.

Anderson, Indiana, May 6, 1919.

CONTENTS

PAGE
Introduction--"The Time of Reformation" 9

Part I--The Church in Apostolic Days

CHAPTER
I The Church Defined 19
II The Universal Church 21
III The Local Church 33
IV The Organization and Government of the
Church 41

Part II--The Church in History

V Corruption of Evangelical Faith 73
VI Rise of Ecclesiasticism 87
VII The Reformation 101
VIII Modern Sects 111
IX The Church of the Future 125

Part III--The Church in Prophecy

X Interpretation of Prophetic Symbols 141
XI The Apostolic Period 149
XII The Medieval Period 169
XIII Era of Modern Sects 209
XIV The Last Reformation 223

INTRODUCTION

"THE TIME OF REFORMATION"

In ecclesiastical history the term Reformation has been applied
specifically to the important religious movement of the sixteenth
century which resulted in the formation of the various Protestant
churches of that period. Since the sixteenth century there have been
other religious reformations, some of considerable importance and
influence.

[Sidenote: A present reformation]

There is a present reformation specially distinguished from all those
that have gone before. It is resulting from the particular operation
of the Spirit of God as predicted in the Word of God, and its
influences are being felt in varying degrees throughout all
Christendom. Many Christians are already stirred to action by the
conscious knowledge of Christ's message for these times, while
multiplied thousands of others who love the Lord Jesus are
experiencing within their own hearts the awakening of new aspiratio