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whether of faith or practice; to make progress—plain, unmistakable progress, such as will be seen, felt, and acknowledged by all. These should be so plain as to mark the Christian in his life and efforts to advance the interest of humanity and the glory of his God. This is, in fact, the chief end of man.
III. The command in its scope touches governments and communities as well as individuals, they too must go forward in the march of life. It is as necessary in all that concerns their interests as the individual. They should go forward from a state of barbarism to enlightened civilization, from heathen superstition to a knowledge of the Christian graces these steps mark the greatness of a nation, and the ever growing, enlightening, civilizing, and Christianizing progress are plainly seen by their greatness and their power.
What is true in these instances is true in relation to a church, which brings us to our third consideration. The church is comprised of any number of individuals for the service and worship of God; it may be regarded as a community or government—a kingdom if you please—Christ, however, is its head. The church is commanded to go forward; it must not, cannot tarry on the plain of human progress. The church has its aim and its end; it is an intelligent intellectual body; it has something in common with other intelligent agencies to do; whatever it is must be done; to accomplish which it must go forward. Is the church itself small and diminutive, it must swell and increase until its huge form can be seen like a great mountain away in the distance. The handful of corn planted must produce the wavy field, rich for the harvest. The stone cut out of the mountain must roll on and roll on until it fills the earth. The church of Christ has an interesting work
