Now, in our day, it is, perhaps, specially needful that this part of
the preacher's duty should be particularly emphasised. Of the Church
it has to be said that she has fallen on somewhat evil times, for there
is evidence of the growth of a tendency toward a Churchless
Christianity. Many there are who take the view that union with the
Church is of small importance to the development of Christian faith and
character. There are more who regard such union as something which,
while it may have certain advantages, is nevertheless entirely optional
with the Christian believer. Again and again have we been told that
Christianity consists of belief in Jesus Christ resulting in an attempt
to imitate Him, and that, as this belief and this attempt can be
achieved outside of any organised religious community, a man may be
essentially a Christian without being a member of the Church. The
reasons for this attitude are not far to seek. Among them are a
selfishness which fears the sacrifice that membership of the Church
might involve; a slothfulness anticipating with apprehension the
possible demands for Christian service which the Fellowship might make,
and a lack of real intensity and enthusiasm in conviction, which
hesitates to make an out-and-out stand for Christ and truth.

From the same causes, in all ages, men have kept outside the organised
flock of God and, therefore, such reasons as these need not greatly
alarm us. But there is another objection to joining the Church which,
alas! is often heard, which peculiarly concerns the preacher and ought
to lead him to much careful inquiry. It is that objection which quotes
against the Church her own condition. It is alleged that, nowadays,
the faith of the Church is in a state of flux; that her enthusiasm has
cooled to the point of chill; that her members are in such small degree
better than the men and women outside their society that their company
does not promise any moral and spiritual help to a man in search of
saving and ennobling companionships. It is said, moreover, that the
Church is so divided, sub-divided and sub-_sub_-divided that it is
impossible to be sure as to where the true Church may be found.
Finally, we are told that in all probability if Jesus Christ came to
earth in the flesh, He would in these times be found outside the
sanctuaries in which His name is supposed to be honoured.

Now, many of these assertions may surely be shown to be the result of
misun