Final answer:
The question probes the existence of true Christian love and charity within the Church, examining whether actions align with teachings of love and compassion for one's neighbor. The texts reflect a critique of the Church's practices and question its commitment to loving kindness as embodied by Christ.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question delves into the portrayal of Christian love and charity within the Church, contrasted with the actions and attitudes of its members. The provided excerpts scrutinize the Church's embodiment of 'love thy neighbor,' highlighting discrepancies between doctrine and practice. It reflects on whether love, compassion, and empathy are truly present in the Church's actions towards those in need or different from themselves.
The various passages underline a theme of disparity: the notion that professing love for God should align with loving one's fellow humans, as emphasized in 1 John 4: 20-21. They criticize the Church for failing to truly act with love, especially towards the marginalized, such as the hungry mill-boy who watched churchgoers pass by without understanding his plight. The final passage suggests that true Christianity requires not just faith and prayer, but active, compassionate love that reaches out to the 'heathen at their own doors.' Thus, the excerpts suggest that until the Church aligns its deeds with the loving kindness preached by Jesus Christ, the presence of love within its walls remains questionable.