y signalized by the sword, the ax, and the stake. Revelling
in the realization of at least a partial emancipation from the tyranny
of priestcraft, men and nations debauched their newly acquired liberty
of thought, speech, and action, in a riot of abhorrent excess. The
mis-called Age of Reason, and the atheistical abominations culminating
in the French Revolution stand as ineffaceable testimony of what man may
become when glorying in his denial of God.

Is it to be wondered at, that from the sixteenth century onward,
churches of man's contriving have multiplied with phenomenal rapidity?
Churches and churchly organizations professing Christianity as their
creed have come to be numbered by hundreds. On every side is heard in
this day, "Lo, here is Christ" or "Lo, there." There are sects named
from the circumstances of their origin--as the Church of England; others
after their famous founders or promoters--as Lutheran, Calvinist,
Wesleyan; some are known by peculiarities of doctrine or plan of
administration--as Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregationalist;
but down to the third decade of the nineteenth century there was no
church on earth affirming name or title as the Church of Jesus Christ.
The only organization called a church existing at that time and
venturing to assert claim to authority by succession was the Catholic
church, which for centuries had been apostate and wholly bereft of
divine authority or recognition. If the "mother church" be without a
valid priesthood, and devoid of spiritual power, how can her offspring
derive from her the right to officiate in the things of God? Who would
dare to affirm that man can originate a priesthood which God is bound to
honor and acknowledge? Granted that men may and do create among
themselves societies, associations, sects, and even "churches" if they
choose so to designate their organizations; granted that they may
prescribe rules, formulate laws, and devize plans of operation,
discipline, and government, and that all such laws, rules, and schemes
of administration are binding upon those who assume membership--granted
all these rights and powers--whence can such human institutions derive
the authority of the Holy Priesthood, without which there can be no
Church of Christ?[1516]

The apostate condition of Christendom has been frankly admitted by many
eminent and conscientious representatives of the several churches, and
by churches as institutions. Even the Church o