The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-07
THE FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH.

The church is divine institution.
Its existence in the world is the natu-
raj result of the social, moral, and
religious nature with which man has
been endowed by his creator. Such
a nature could not be developed and
exercised without giving existence to
the church as the social and organic
form of religion. 1t is social and
religious institution. 1t is spiritual
and religious organism, builded by
moral, religious and social forces. AS
moral and religious organism it
must have function.
The function of an organism is
always indicated by its nature and
character. As the church is reli-
gious organism, builded by moral,
religious and social forces, its func-
tions must be moral and religious.
It's natural home is society. 1t is
organized of men and women as social
beings. It operates through mans
social relations. 1t works along social
lines, uses social influences, and calls
into play social affections and sympa-
thies. The religion of the church is
social religion. It's mission is to
men and women united in domestic
and social life. 1t was first insti
tuted in the family.
Its theater of action was the home.
1t taught and practiced domestic
purity. Its membership has always
embraced men, women and children.
From the first it recognized the sane
tity of the marriage relation and
in and through that relation it has
done and is still doing great work.
The paternal, maternal and filial re-
lation it has always sanctified and
exalted. No institution in all the
worlds history has done so much for
the unity, purity, sanctity and peace
of the family as the Christian church.
If it had done no other work than this
the proof of its divine origin and
mission would have been conclu-
sive. This work alone should en-
title the church to the confidence,
gratitude and cooperation of all
good men and women who desire So
cial unity and domestic happinessfor
man. 1t should be to the church
crown of honor and glory in all ma
tions, and during all ages. There is
no work more important to the high
est well-being of man than this, and
nothing has done SO much for mans
moral purity and social enjoyment.
The great work of the church is to
become the co worker with God in
the salvation of man. To this work.
the church is called of God. 1t is
sent on a divine mission of salvation
to the world. Gods method is to
save man by man.
For this work the church, as con-
stituted of men who have been re-
deemed and saved, is specially fitted.
1t can use the intellect, emotion and
will to influence men. Thought, feel
ing and volition may all be used in
the work of salvation. The head
and the heart may unite in bring
ing men to God. We can teach men
the way of salvation by precept and
example.
The church has the command of the
divine resources, and the control of the
human forces necessary for this work
Man, if saved at all, must be saved in
harmony with his own natureand by
the use of his own faculties. The in
tellect, reason, conscience, and affec-
tions must be called into action to
secure this result. This demands hui
man effort and influence. There is
no salvation from sin that does not in
volve the highest and most intense
activity of the human soul. The pro-