l idealists; for
it is already true in part, and the "more sure word of prophecy" to
which we have appealed sustains our hope. The actual fulfilment of so
many predicted events assures us that there shall not fail one word
of all his good promises. Already multiplied thousands of the Lord's
redeemed people have discerned God's plan of effecting unity and have
completely ignored all the lines of sect and human ecclesiasticism,
recognizing as the church nothing else than the entire brotherhood in
Christ, and recognizing as ecclesiastical authority nothing else than
that moral and spiritual dominion of Christ by which alone he governed
his people in primitive times.

This reformation is the movement of God. It is not a humanly organized
movement depending for its success on the ability of men to persuade
people to leave other churches and join them. God himself is breaking
down the barriers that divide, and in response to his call the
redeemed are forsaking human sects and creeds, and their hearts are
flowing together. The center of this movement is not a particular
geographical location, nor is its nucleus a particular set of fallible
men: the center and nucleus of this world-wide movement is OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST, and its operative force is the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING
GOD, which draws the faithful together in bonds of holy love and
fellowship. Multitudes already recognize no other bonds of union than
that moral and spiritual affinity which is the common heritage of
all the disciples of Jesus that know the blessed experience of the
heavenly birth. Multitudes more are beginning to see the light of this
glorious truth, and in due time Christ, the Light, will illuminate the
hearts of all the saved ones. All hail the day that lies just ahead!

"Back to the one foundation, from sects and creeds made free,
Come saints of every nation to blessed unity.
Once more the ancient glory shines as in days of old,
And tells the wondrous story--one God, one faith, one fold."

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Last Reformation
by F. G. [Frederick George] Smith

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST REFORMATION ***

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