Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/234

 THE FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH.

INSTITUTIONS can do their work much better if the function which it is proper for them to perform is accurately defined. Perhaps the church is not adjusted to the needs of society, and this may be the reason why it does not meet the test to which it is put. Does it succeed in bringing humanity to a state of high moral life ? The result of the work of the church should be full ethical development, not simply in scattered individuals, but in a multitude, so that it can be said in truth that a developed eth- ical life is possessed by the social organism. Institutions for intellectual development, grouped together and spoken of in this article as the college, are subject to a like test, Do they edu- cate the mass, so that the social organism is characterized by high intelligence ? Neither the church nor the college as yet performs its mission fully. But the college has determined its proper function and does its work systematically ; the church seems to be in doubt, and its work is desultory.

The rise of sociology is the salvation of the church, because by the application of the sociologic method the function of the church as a social institution can be accurately defined. It is probable that, on analysis, it will be found that there is some special common end to the accomplishment of which society has a right to ask each church to direct its energy. If this common end of labor can be discovered, then the denominations may feel it their duty to work for this, and harmony and efficiency of work may come naturally and easily.

Different meanings are sometimes conveyed to different read- ers by the same word, and this makes it necessary for the writer to state the meaning which he wishes a few important words to carry. It is not claimed that the definitions given are final. It is not the purpose of this article to determine what is ethical and what is religious, nor what the word " educational " ought to mean when

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