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In the early periods of the Christian era, the command of the Savior met with a prompt and believing response. The primitive Christians, filled with the spirit of their Divine Master, went abroad in all directions and spread everywhere the news of a Savior crucified, a Savior risen. Laborious, and full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, they not only endured all things but suffered all things; not hesitating to lay down their lives in support of the great truths they declared. At no time since have these efforts of the church altogether ceased; although in some periods they have not been made with the same degree of wisdom and earnestness. But while we remember the delinquencies of Christians, it is pleasing to reflect, that the followers of Christ, at the present time, under different names but animated by the same spirit, seem to be preparing for a final and victorious conflict. It appears to be their design and hope, with the divine favor resting upon their labors to rouse themselves at last as one man, and to carry the Gospel of the Son of God to every heathen dwelling. In this great work let every Christian cooperate, with some proper sense of the greatness of the undertaking, and of the obligations which rest upon him. At the present eventful period, no man, who has had a fair opportunity to develop Christian principle, and to learn the weight of Christian responsibility, ought to look upon himself as a follower of Christ, unless he feels beating in his bosom something of the spirit which animated the Johns and Pauls of primitive times.”
Source: Thomas Cogswell Upham, A Treatise on Divine Union (1851) Part 7, Chapter 4 (ironstrikes).
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