UNITY, BUT HOW? by M. C. W.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 8, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 14.

UNITY, BUT HOW?

By M. C. W.

THE Catholic Review of March 9 gladly acknowledges “that the increasing desire for unity, manifested among the various denominations of our separated [Protestant] brethren, is a most hopeful sign.” It speaks of the large and increasing number among devout Protestants “who are convinced that schism is a sin,” and that unity is necessary in order to comply with Scripture. The Review continues:—

“These good people acknowledge frankly that the endless divisions among Protestants are all wrong—a very great evil—but they live in hope of some future scheme of union which shall unite them all in one body. We insist that this is a vain hope, and that the only possibility of unity lies in a return to the Catholic Church, which has an infallible principle of unity, and which has preserved the true faith and the unbroken Christian traditions from the beginning.”

After pointing out the difficulties to unity, the article closes thus:—

“Now, if, as is clear as the sun at noonday, union among Protestant sects is impossible, and if schism is a sin, what are you going to do about it?”

Many will no doubt do as the Review insists, “return to the Catholic Church,” and accept of that unity which consists of permitting someone else to be conscience for them; but there is a better “scheme of union,” and that is a return to the Scriptures of truth. There is union, soul-satisfying union, in God’s word. It comes first by union with God through Christ, entire submission to God’s will, and his word solely as the guide in all matters of faith. The Spirit of God will lead such into the unity of the faith, a unity not patched up, but union of heart and mind, where God’s watchmen will “see eye to eye.” And the only reason why there is not such union among Protestants is because they are trying to hold to the Bible while they are determined to hold to tradition. Thus they make void the commandments of God that they may keep their tradition. Holding to tradition, they logically ought to become Catholics; but if they will cut loose from all tradition contrary to truth, they may become united on “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. What will they do? It is either Rome or the Bible.

M. C. W.