p. 12 | Unity in the Work by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 26, 1871

Unity in the Work.

By R. F. Cottrell

UNITY of faith is desirable, because faith being the mainspring of action, unity of faith results in unity of action. No great work, like that of giving the last great warning to mankind, can be accomplished without organized labor, so that each individual fulfills a part in the one great work.

Anarchy is sure to produce confusion, a thing of which an apostle has expressly stated that God is not its author. God is pleased with peaceable and harmonious action in his people. If any propose to engage in the work of God independent of the body to whom he has committed his work, his plan will prove a failure. The work of the Lord will not be accomplished in that way. His cause is one, and his people must be one. The very thought and purpose of independent labor in the cause is sure evidence that there is something not right with the individual; something that furnishes a good reason why he should not engage in the proposed work, and insures a failure, if he does.

When men are fully converted to God, they can work together in his cause. When they have learned the lesson of “submitting to one another in the fear of God,” then, and not till then, are they qualified to share in the labor of the gospel.

God is doing a great work. We cannot aid in it, unless we are in harmony with the united wisdom of his people whom he has led out to engage in it. He will have regular organized effort. His army must be well-drilled and prepared for action. He will not accept of us, if our pride and insubordination lead us to engage in the battle, as it is said, “Upon our own hook.” Let us engage, then, in organized, systematic effort. R. F. COTTRELL.