church will, nevertheless, not arrogate to itself the authority of ordaining, at any period, that which shall be valid forever. She knows that she must grow and be perfected in the wisdom of Christ. She will, from century to century, at the universal synods,—and by the true representatives of the Christian communities—consider anew her faith and her life, and measure them by that of the eternal Archetype, and by the light of Divine Truth. She will, each time, like the elders of Israel on the Jordan, erect memorials which shall say—“Hitherto God has helped us,” and establish rules for the next annual meeting. She will not fear, nor yet fall into error, because she will never lose sight of the Divine Teacher, and will hold fast by His words addressed to the assembled disciples:—
“The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you;——He shall lead you into all truth. And, lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world.”
But until this true universal church acquires strength, her great sections may continue, if they will only each of them more fully develop their innermost truth, develop their life. I do not know, but it appears to me, that the religious life is most awake, is most vital, in those Protestant countries where the Protestant and Catholic churches stand free and equally protected, side by side, as in England, Germany, and in Switzerland. There arises then, not unfrequently, between their leaders, a noble emulation, upon purely Christian grounds. What great
