UNION IS STRENGTH by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 8, 1878

UNION IS STRENGTH.

By James White

This true maxim is exemplified in the work which God has already accomplished by the agency of Seventh-day Adventists. Speaking of our College, Prof. W. C. Whitford, delegate from the S. D. Baptists to our General Conference, said to us two years since, “Your people have done more in raising means and in making a good beginning than the Seventh-day Baptists have done in fifty years.” Why is this? Answer: In union there is strength. Those articles which have appeared in the REVIEW AND HERALD for the past twenty years, setting forth the importance of the unity and gifts of the Christian church as set forth in the New Testament, have had their influence upon our people, and have saved them from the rash, independent spirit that has broken down order and unity among other Adventists, and thrown them into confusion. In confusion there is weakness; in unity there is strength.

We take the following from a friendly letter received from Elder J. V. Himes, dated Buchanan, Mich., July 12, 1878. We would give the letter entire, but for want of room. He says:—

“For the want of integrity and faithfulness, the branch of the Advent body with whom I was associated in the West has been scattered, and all my work, with that of my faithful helpers, has been perverted, at least put back for the time. As you know, in our prosperity, at one time, we sent out more mail matter from our office in Buchanan, Mich., than you sent from the Review Office at Battle Creek. But now our office, presses, paper, and all are gone, while you are united and prospering in your work. This is the difference.”

“Now I wish to say as a matter of fact, as well as of justice, in regard to your institutions at Battle Creek and elsewhere, that you, by holding things in your own hands, and conducting your affairs with wisdom and discretion, have succeeded in your work. You have done, under God, a good work, in three respects. First, the full proclamation of the future coming and reign of Christ on the earth; second, the establishment of a school and the promotion of education; and, thirdly, the establishment of a health institution, in which the laws of life and health are taught and enforced. These are facts. This is work, for the good of all, and must tend to the better preparation of all who come under these influences to meet Christ.”

“I could only wish that the other branches of the Advent family would be as wise to plan, and as liberal to sustain, and as united to support, the proclamation of the Lord’s coming.”

The above from the pen of Elder Himes relative to those Adventists who have rejected the Sabbath and the practical influence of the gifts which God has set in the church, and have therefore run into confusion, is indeed a sad picture. One text from the apostle Paul, in which he sets forth the design, not only of the callings, but of the gifts set in the church, is sufficient to enlighten any unprejudiced mind as to the importance of the gifts of the Spirit of God in order to secure unity, and that Bible perfection which is a safeguard against being carried away by those false doctrines which cause confusion and weakness in the body. The apostle says:—

“And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Eph. 4:11-16.

Here the unity and harmony of the members and parts that make up the human body are used as a figure of what the members of the body of Christ may be, and must be, in order for that preparation necessary to meet her Lord with readiness and joy at his second coming. Those who have been wrangling and disputing like undisciplined children, and have been carried away and swayed this way and that, as by the wind, will, at his coming, be ashamed of their folly. May the Lord save, and still prosper his people who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus Christ. Amen. J. W.