p. 4 | Christian Unity

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 18, 1905

Christian Unity

While the cry of “federation” is being raised in the vast camp of nominal Christianity, the assembly of those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” is characterized by Christian unity. This is the “unity of the Spirit,” the fruit of which is harmony and peace.

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory,” wrote the apostle Paul to the Philippians; “but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” This is the rule of Christianity for all the deliberations of Christian bodies. The councils of heaven are unmarked by strife, and no more can there be a place for this element where heaven’s purposes are carried forward on the earth.

It is recorded of an important council of the Christian church in the days of the apostles, that “when there had been much disputing,” Peter rose up, and addressed the assembly, setting forth the view which was later approved by Paul and Barnabas, by James, and by the council. What was said during the progress of the dispute is not recorded. It was not essential that it should be recorded. No progress was made toward the settlement of the question at issue while the dispute was continued. But when the disputation was ended, Peter began to speak under the influence of the Spirit, and there was no further discord while the council was taking action upon the question.

A short time ago an organ of a leading denomination in this country, immediately following a session of the denominational general council, published a series of articles considering the “storm-centers” which had at frequent intervals marked the progress of the session. There could be no better evidence of the absence of the guiding Spirit of Christianity and the presence of the spirit of worldliness, in the deliberations of a body, than such “storm-centers.” They are characteristic of the world, of politics. They come from the desire for self-exaltation and a struggle for supremacy. Because of the presence of this spirit of strife Christian unity has become impossible in the leading factions of a divided Christendom, and there is left in its place only the hope of a federation,—a worldly means of union from which only worldly power can be derived. But to those now bearing the special closing message of the gospel to the world, the privilege remains of giving to the world that proof of their divine calling and mission which will be in fulfilment of the Saviour’s prayer for his disciples: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. . . . I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”