If this is true of religion in general, it is eminently true of the Christian religion.  The characteristic note of Christianity is its emphasis on the social relations.  In this it simply exhibits what we may call its scientific temper, its tendency to keep close to the facts of life, to give the right interpretation to nature and to human nature.

A modern sociologist[13] tells us that “the sole point of view, aim and goal of Jesus, in all his teaching and by implication of all his acts, was social.  The divine Father whom he proclaimed was social—­a Being whose one attribute was love.”  When we say that “God is love,” this is what we mean.  He delights in Companionship, and finds his happiness in the relations which unite him with his creatures.  Since his own supreme good is in these reciprocal affections and services, we cannot imagine that he could expect us to find our good in any different way.  If we share our Father’s nature, we must seek our happiness where he finds his.  The blessedness of life must therefore be in our social relations.  Such is the teaching of Jesus.  Such is the essence of Christianity.

While, therefore, every religion by its very nature tends to bring men together, Christianity lifts the social impulse into the light and sanctifies and transfigures it, making it not merely a concomitant of religion but the heart of religion.  The effect of this revelation was seen in all the ministry of Jesus.  Whereever he went the people flocked together.  “Great multitudes followed him.”  Into the wildernesses, up to the mountain tops, across the stormy lake, they made their way; it was a day of great congregations.  It was because they wanted to be with him, of course; but when they came to him they came together, and one of the things he sought for them was that they should like to be together.  That was surely a lesson that they learned of him; for as soon as he had gone they began to gravitate together.  Every day they met, sometimes in the temple courts, sometimes in their own homes, for praise and prayer; every evening they partook together, in little groups, of a simple meal, in memory of him.  Their religion, from the start, manifested a marked social tendency.  Indeed, we might give it a stronger word, and say that, in the beginning, it was socialistic; it seemed to threaten a complete reconstruction of the industrial order.  For “all that believed were together, and had all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, as every man had need."[14]

Just how far this communistic experiment was carried it is difficult to say, but it is evident that the disciples felt that their religion ought to permeate and control their entire social life.  And there has never since been a day when the social side of religion has not been recognized and provided for.  The very impulse which is kindled in their hearts when they are brought into association with Christ,