Preface to 'Which—the Right or Left?'
In every temple dedicated to our Lord—that is to say in every branch of the One Temple—there are two Churches, viz: The Church of Christ, which is a Church of goodness, is productive of gentleness, humility, and single-heartedness, and leads its people to happiness: and, The Church of Society, which is a Church of evil, is productive of pride, arrogance, and selfishness, and leads its people to misery. The first is made up of the Few, who walk in the light of their Redeemer's countenance, and regard their Lord as their Patron. The second is made up of the Many, who walk in the light of Money, and complacently regard themselves as the Patrons of the Lord. The Few worship Him meekly, lovingly, contritely; the Many fashionably, elegantly, superciliously. Christ's Christians measure all men by the goodness of their hearts, and the gentleness, simplicity and correctness of their deportment, as prescribed by the Law of God. Society's Christians measure all men by the fullness of their pockets, the texture of their coats, and the correctness of their deportment, as prescribed by the Law of Society. The former believe that all things should be done for the glory of their Blessed Lord, who is their all in all: The latter, that they should do everything for their own glory—which is their all in all. The first believe that life is a real and earnest thing; that it is a season for Action, not Play: The second believe it to be simply a Great Joke. The Few believe that Man's first, last, and only business is, To secure his inheritance in the Bright Beyond, whose duration is eternal. "I must work the work of Him that sent me, while it is Day—for the Night cometh, wherein no man can work." The Many believe that Man's first, last, and only business is to accumulate Money, to make a show, and to be talked about—till he is gone. The first believe that they should do good to all men: The second that they should look out for Number One, and let others do the same. Christ's Christians believe that the Business of life consists in Business Truthfulness; Church Membership; and the right of every man and woman to glide onward to everlasting happiness, piously, peacefully, and lovingly. Society's Christians recognize as legitimate, Business Lying; Church Membership without Religion; and the right of every man and woman to glide down to everlasting perdition, fashionably, gracefully and respectably. When, therefore, it is said of a known knave, "he is a member of the Church," it ought always to be added, "of Society's, not Christ's."