The Original 1883 (First Edition) of
The Ecclesial Guide

15. -- The Necessities of the Present Situation.

Much can be done by the loving co-operation of divinely enlightened intelligence. In fact, little or no government would be necessary were all who profess the nameof Christ animated by a controlling deference to the mind of Christ -- a mind swayed by both the love of God and the love of man. The simplest rules would be easy to carry out in a community so constituted. But such a state of things cannot be reached until Christ come, who will separate the unholy element everywhere, and organise that magnificent body, his completed ecclesia, whom he will "present to himself a glorious ecclesia,without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing," and with whom he will proceed to the glorious work of governing the world in righteousness and true beneficence.

In the mixed state of things prevailing at present, arrangement and order are necessary. Without them, there will inevitably come, sooner or later, misunderstanding, offence, disunion, strife, envy, and every evil work. Even with order, wisely maintained, it is difficult to keep these evil results at bay.