"God has given us a perfect institution for the salvation of sinners, in his
church, and a perfect rule for the guidance and control of this institution, in his word. We show
as much disrespect for Him in attempting to improve upon one, as the other. It has long been
settled among us that no creed or confession of faith shall supplant, or be placed by the side of
the Bible for the guidance of the church. Just so it should be with regard to the church. No
society should be allowed to supplant it, or divide with it, the performance of the work that Jesus
has committed to it. The institution is as divine as the Book. No argument can be made for the
sufficiency of one, that is not equally good for the other. Let us then cleave to the one book and
the one organization. --!. A. Harding (1882).
* * * *
"There is no institution so pure and perfect which the folly and corruption
of man will not in time alter for the worse, and load with additions foreign to its nature and
original design. Such, in a particular manner, was the fate of Christianity." --Mosheim.
* * * *
"Without a constant return to its fountain head every religion suffers from
its contact with the world, as the purest air suffers from the mere fact of its being breathed."
--Max Muller.
* * * *
"Churches that do not work, cannot work together; churches that do not
operate, cannot co-operate." --David Lipscomb.
* * * *
"Persecution had more to do in spreading the ancient gospel than money
had." --Jacob Creath.
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