We have on several occasions expatiated on the exalted sphere of the church of the

present dispensation, and to put pen to paper once again in the interest of that high calling

is indeed by no means "grievous", the more so as the truth concerning it is repeatedly

challenged. In dealing with this subject we shall assume nothing as true until every point

has been proved from scripture. We shall "prove all things", and then, against all

opposition, endeavour to "hold fast that which is good".  This being the intention,

progress must necessarily be "slow" to be "sure"; we shall have to cover ground already

traversed, and "prove" many a point about which we have ourselves no doubt. But the

cause of truth demands our utmost, and the establishment of fellow-members can only be

"in the faith". If, therefore, the labour be sometime tedious, the goal is glorious, and so,

as we have already quoted, to us who write, such reiteration will not be "grievous", and

for those who read we believe it will be "safe".

Not only has the claim that "three" spheres of blessing are revealed in the Scriptures

been challenged, but even the employment of the English word "sphere" has been

questioned. For anyone whose mother tongue is English, to question the propriety of this

usage of "sphere" sounds the reverse of true criticism. It seems to result from either lack

of knowledge, or an attempt to utilize a specious argument for the sake of victory rather

than for the love of truth. Perhaps we should be justified in dismissing such an objection,

but as our endeavour is to prove all things we waive the point, and give the judgment of

the Oxford English Dictionary. After defining the primary meaning of a sphere, the

Dictionary proceeds to its figurative use, thus:

When, therefore, we use the term "spheres" of blessing we use a word that has the

highest sanction, and can well afford to ignore our would-be mentor.

For the sake of the truth we restate our theme thus: "There are three distinct provinces

within which the distinctive blessings of the various callings revealed in Scripture are

naturally confined." In order to avoid circumlocution we adopt the word "sphere" to

express this fact.

As this item has been established beyond the possibility of denial, so we intend to

establish every other item, and ask the reader to keep check upon our procedure and its

Preparatively, let us settle another point. A phrase or an expression may not be

"scripture", yet it may be "scriptural", but, because the distinction between these two

terms is not clearly understood, the unwary may be impressed by the statement that a

particular expression is not "scriptural".

Now because the term "sphere" does not occur in the Scriptures, is it therefore

unscriptural? According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word "scriptural" is anything

"based upon, derived from, or depending upon Holy Scripture". Because , therefore, an