The Church is not merely the congregation of the redeemed. There was and will be redemption of none, save by the Spirit, through the blood of the Lamb. But while my soul as an individual thankfully owns such a communion with all the redeemed-it owns a peculiarity of communion with those who are partakers of this grace, according to the peculiarity of the Church-Bride and Body of Christ Jesus. The Church is the body to and by which alone the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is opened; and (Bride of the Lamb) to her how dear and honored should the person of the Lord and the personal presence of the Holy Ghost the Comforter be! In ruins all around us may be; but if we understand what communion of saints means, surely not only must the works of God by the Son and by the Spirit be dear to us; but we know ourselves as parts of this body connected, with the revelation of that name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and these are dear and to be honored.
As gathered amid ruins, we have, in the obedience of faith, to beware of in any wise compromising this name, being ourselves witnesses of the unfailing faithfulness of God amid all the declension of man. G. W.