p. 11 | Unity of the Body

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 28, 1910

Unity of the Body

Unity of the Body. — Both the Old and New Testaments show the church as one body in service, counselling together and endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. To this end the apostle exhorted: “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” As association together in the local church meeting is a blessing in encouraging believers, and binding all together in the unity of the Spirit, so has the association of representatives from the church in annual conference been a blessing, serving to unite all together in the one work.

WHEN, however, the general workers in the later fifties began to plan for general meetings in various parts of the field, some evidently feared it an unwise move. In the REVIEW of JULY 21, 1859, Elder James White pointed out how much fruitage of gospel effort was being lost by lack of systematic planning together, and urged annual meetings of representatives of the churches in various parts, “as the truth spreads, and friends rally round the standard.” He added these wholesome words:— We are aware that these suggestions will not meet the minds of all. Brother Overcautious will be frightened, and will be ready to warn his brethren to be careful and not venture out too far; while Brother Confusion will cry out, “O, this looks just like Babylon! Following the fallen church!” Brother Do-little will say, “The cause is the Lord’s, and we had better leave it in his hands; he will take care of it.” “Amen,” say us, and a Love-this-world, Slothful, Selfish, and Stingy; “if God calls men to preach, let them go out and preach; he will take care entirely of them, and those who believe each their message;” while Korah, Dathan, and Abiram are ready to rebel against those who feel the weight of the cause, and who watch for souls as those who must give account, and raise the cry, “Ye take too much upon you.”

IN reply we would say that Brother Overcautious reminds us of the brakeman who supposed that all that was necessary to run a train of cars was to use the brake well. We would also suggest that he, and others of the same views and feelings, try to run a train by the use of brakes. Their success in standing still would, we think, teach them the necessity of having an engine, wood, fire, water, steam, as well as brakes.

BROTHER CONFUSION makes a most egregious blunder in calling system, which is in harmony with the Bible and good sense, Babylon. As Babylon signifies confusion, our erring brother has the very word stamped upon his own forehead. And we venture to say there is not another people under heaven more worthy of the brand of Babylon than those professing the advent faith who reject Bible order. Is it not high time that we as a people heartily embrace everything that is good and right in the churches? Is it not blind folly to start back at the idea of system, found everywhere in the Bible, simply because it is observed in the fallen churches?

TRUE, the Bible does not say in so many words that we should have yearly meetings; neither does it say that we should have a weekly paper, a steam printing-press, that we should publish books, build places of worship, and send out tents. Christ says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill can not be hid,” “Let your light so shine before men,” etc. He does not enter into the particulars just how this shall be done. The living church of God is left to humbly move forward in this great work, praying for divine guidance, and acting upon the most efficient plans for its accomplishment.

Men of the world lay their plans wisely and well, combine their strength, and prosecute them vigorously. And should not the church, aided by the principles of the Word, and the influence of the Holy Spirit, act as wisely in their high and holy calling? “But,” says Brother Do-little, “Christ says that the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Very true: but he does not say they should be. So far from it, that his words are a cutting rebuke on Brother Do-little, and all his careless, disorderly brethren. It will be seen that these men have wound themselves up in a kind of cobweb argument, and have lain down in an easy position: but we design to tear off the cobwebs, and stir them up to find their place in the church of Christ.

THERE are two extremes which should be shunned: one is for human wisdom alone to combine its feeble strength to carry on the work of God; the other is to leave with God what he has left with us, and sit down with the idea of waiting for special providences before moving. If such move at all, it is independently of the views and feelings of others, each individual constituting an independent church.

SOME may cry, “The Spirit! the Spirit!” and others, “The Word!” but our cry shall be, “The Word and the Spirit!” The Word presents the form of doctrine, and requires systematic, united action; and the Spirit sanctifies the judgment, gives vitality to the body, and efficiency to the work. It leads into all truth.