ABSTRACT
Among the various institutions which sustain modern society and civilization, we may regard as most important, the Family, the State, the School, and the Church. The Family, the School, and the State, scarcely need to be defined. The Republic comprehends all the citizens as related to their civil constitutions, laws and magistracy. But, properly to define the Church, is a less simple process; since it necessarily involves an attack on several erroneous notions extensively accepted. The clergy have first monopolized the power granted to the Church, and then perverted that power to corrupt, oppress and despoil the Church. For an outward, organized Church, and not for isolated Christians, the ascended Lord has furnished officers and external ordinances. The Papacy, and all state churches, exalt the Hierarchy, also, at the expense of human nature. But Christianity places each soul before God, in its identity and distinct personality.
