IN CHURCH HISTORY. IOg 



Injure one lineament of truth which had been im- 

 pressed by the Lord Himself. 



Thus, then, throughout the world, came the re- 

 action from the errors which from time to time had 

 crept into the Church. The reform was accom- 

 plished at the cost of much suffering. Many noble 

 lives fell before the vindictiveness of the Pope's 

 followers, and the return to the truths which Christ 

 taught has been at a cost which no one can fully 

 estimate to-day. 



Happy would it have been could some general 

 Council have been summoned, after the manner of 

 those of the earliest ages, and the true faith of the 

 Church been re-established. Such a measure was 

 again and again proposed, but no Council could 

 be favored by the Pope except such as would give 

 his views a preponderating influence. Indeed his 

 claims were virtually above the jurisdiction of any 

 Council, for he declared that none should meet, 

 except such as he himself might call. But the 

 days of God are long, and no one knows what 

 there may be, in the future, of joy and peace to a 

 now divided Christendom. He may be working 

 out some plans of mercy through our present divi- 

 sions, and when the time is ripe it may please Him 

 to draw all Christians into one fold. 



Error cannot always live. The truth must 

 prevail. 



