Every one has of course a right to express their own feelings; but we would make a few suggestions to the writer of the above, and to any others (if there are any such) who may entertain similar views and feelings. It is certain that God has a church on the earth; he always has had, and he always will have. It is certain also that his church will, as a body, go through to the kingdom. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Now when we look abroad, suppose we do not find any church which appears to be perfect, which we think appears to deserve the name of the church of God; what is our next duty? It is to see who are striving to become such. Now we as a body do not claim to be perfect, but we are striving to become so; we do not claim that we have yet come into the unity of the faith, but we are laboring for that object; and what are the means that God has appointed to this end? The Apostle tells us: "Prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, [Eph. iv, 11,] and other gifts of the church, [1 Cor. xii, 7-12, 28,] for the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come into the unity of the faith," &c.
It is true we have the Bible in our hands in language that we can understand; but we presume that Sr. S. would not abolish the office of teachers which Christ has instituted in his church; and this teaching is to edify the body of Christ. Now we must not be so afraid of being led by men, and adopting the opinion of others, as to reject the good and correct teaching which is in accordance with God's word; and all true teaching and every true gift of the church, is, and will be, in accordance with that Word. But if Sr. S. would attribute to those who are connected with the Review, the desire to lead any by our own authority, and have them adopt opinions merely because they are ours, she misconstrues our motives entirely; we do not so understand our mission. Is it not almost a standing declaration of the Review that we claim no infallibility, that we ask no one to take our "ipse dixit" for any thing, but to cling to the Word, and by that try and determine all questions? If we can aid any in arriving at truth, and progressing in spirituality, our object will be accomplished.
The idea of going to heaven alone cannot be sustained. No one need think that he can make such progress as to leave every bodyelse far behind. It reminds us of an anecdote which we will here mention:
"Col. Blair told us at the commencement of the battle of Waterloo there was some trouble to prevent the men from breaking their ranks. He expostulated with one man: 'Why, my good fellow, you cannot propose to beat the French alone? You had better keep your ranks.' The man returned to his place, saying, 'I believe you are right, sir, but I am a man of a very hot temper.'"
It is some so in religious matters. We must not cherish such a hot temper in spiritual things, as to think individually to outstrip the church at large. We are all members of one body. Then we had better keep our ranks. The enemy will have far less opportunity to sow discord and distraction among us, if we stand shoulder to shoulder, laboring together for that great object, unity and perfection. We would not here convey the idea that belonging to the church alone will save any one.
We are sorry the Review has retrograded so far that our sister does not peruse it with the same interest as formerly; though we may judge from the testimony we are frequently receiving, that many will be disposed to consider that the change has taken place in her, instead of the paper. If she thinks we demand the adoration and worship of any, she misapprehends again; these are not embraced in the catalogue of our requirements.
Again we would recommend for her consideration the people who are making the greatest efforts to conform to the Bible pattern of the true church. Such are certainly entitled to present consideration. And we are firm in the belief that the Lord's people, whether we are the ones or not, will soon emerge from the shadows that now hover around them, and come forth clear as the sun, and fair as the moon.—Ed.