"Our own theological Church, as we know, has scorned and vilified the body till it has seemed almost a reproach and a shame to have one, yet at the same time has credited it with power to drag the soul to perdition"

This quote by Eliza Farnham speaks with the hypocrisy of the Church's mindset towards the body. On one hand, the Church has refused and vilified the body, making it seem like a reproach and a shame to have one. On the other hand, the Church has credited the body with the power to drag the soul to perdition. This quote highlights the Church's contradictory mindset towards the body, which is viewed as both a source of shame and a source of power. It likewise talks to the Church's propensity to view the body as a source of temptation and sin, rather than as a source of joy and pleasure. This quote acts as a tip of the Church's need to review its attitude towards the body and to acknowledge its value in the spiritual life.