The Last Reformation

Last Reformation, The

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Title: The Last Reformation
Author: F. G. [Frederick George] Smith
Release Date: August 30, 2004 [EBook #13330]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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The Last Reformation
By F.G. Smith

BY THE SAME AUTHOR
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES THE REVELATION EXPLAINED
PROPHETIC LECTURES ON DANIEL AND REVELATION

PREFACE
God's true people everywhere are looking for light on the church
question. A deep undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the present order
of things exists in the ecclesiastical world. The historic creeds are
stationary and conservative, but religious thought can not always be
bound nor its progress permanently hindered. Honest Christian men
and women will think, and they are now thinking in the terms of a
universal Christianity. If I am able to discern the signs of the times, the
rising tide of Christian love and fellowship is about to overflow the
lines of sect and bring together in one common hope and in one
common brotherhood all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity.
What will constitute the leading characteristics of the church of the
future? This is the burning question. Spiritual-minded men are
conscious that things can not long continue as they now are, but what
and where is the remedy?
After this book was completed and in the hands of the printers, I
received a copy of "The Church and its Organization," by Walter
Lowrie, and was surprized to find in it much truth that I had already
received through independent investigation and embodied in my
manuscript. I refer particularly to the charismatic organization and
government of the church. It is gratifying to know that other minds are
being led to the same conclusions regarding a subject of such vital
importance to the future of Christianity.
In writing the present work I have endeavored to present the Scriptural
solution of this great problem, a solution which takes into account, and
gives due respect to, historic Christianity, the prophecies respecting the
church and its destiny, and the fundamental characteristics of our holy
religion as it emanated from the divine Founder.
If this work can be of service in pointing out Christ's plan and purpose
to "gather together in one the children of God which are scattered

abroad," and also be instrumental in helping to accomplish this grand
Christian ideal, I shall feel abundantly repaid. F.G. SMITH.
Anderson, Indiana, May 6, 1919.

CONTENTS
PAGE Introduction--"The Time of Reformation" 9

Part I--The Church in Apostolic Days

CHAPTER I
The Church Defined 19 II The Universal Church 21 III The Local
Church 33 IV The Organization and Government of the Church 41

Part II--The Church in History
V Corruption of Evangelical Faith 73 VI Rise of Ecclesiasticism 87 VII
The Reformation 101 VIII Modern Sects 111 IX The Church of the
Future 125

Part III--The Church in Prophecy
X Interpretation of Prophetic Symbols 141 XI The Apostolic Period
149 XII The Medieval Period 169 XIII Era of Modern Sects 209 XIV
The Last Reformation 223

INTRODUCTION
"THE TIME OF REFORMATION"
In ecclesiastical history the term Reformation has been applied
specifically to the important religious movement of the sixteenth
century which resulted in the formation of the various Protestant
churches of that period. Since the sixteenth century there have been
other religious reformations, some of considerable importance and
influence.
[Sidenote: A present reformation]
There is a present reformation specially distinguished from all those
that have gone before. It is resulting from the particular operation of the
Spirit of God as predicted in the Word of God, and its influences are
being felt in varying degrees throughout all Christendom. Many
Christians are already stirred to action by the conscious knowledge of
Christ's message for these times, while multiplied thousands of others
who love the Lord Jesus are experiencing within their own hearts the
awakening of new aspirations and impulses, the real meaning of which
they do not as yet understand, but which are, through the leadership of
the Holy Spirit, unconsciously fitting them for their true place in this
great world-wide movement which is destined to exceed in importance
and influence all other religious reformations since the days of
primitive Christianity.
Since, as we shall show, the present reformation is the work of the
Spirit affecting all true Christians, drawing them together for the
realization of