p. 322 | CHRISTIAN UNITY by Frederick M. Wilcox

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 27, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 21.

CHRISTIAN UNITY.

By Frederick M. Wilcox

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" And not only is it good and pleasant, but the unity existing among his followers, Christ says, should stand as evidence to the world that he came forth from God. "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 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." If the unity of the church is to furnish evidence to the world of Christ's divine origin and oneness with the Father, how meager is the testimony to be adduced from the state of the church to-day! It is indeed a sad sight to see the discords and dissensions that exist among Christ's professed followers. All claim to want unity, but all are working for it in a different way than that of the Lord's. Men claim to long for it and profess themselves willing to make any sacrifice to obtain it, but it must be a unity according to their idea. This is well illustrated by the following expression from Cardinal Gibbons in a sermon delivered a few Sundays ago:—

I am happy to say that there are now in America many great and noble souls who are longing for a unity of all Christians. That longing has my heartfelt sympathy. Yes, if I know my heart, I would make any sacrifice for such unity of all denominations, for Christians of this country united could convert the world. But let me say in all love there can be but one unity, and that in the recognition of the Sovereign Pontiff and his authority. Any other union would be but one of sand.

We doubt not but that sometime in the history of the world, and that too before very long, such a union as the cardinal desires will be effected. When the nations of men shall have filled up the cup of their iniquity in the rejection of the truth, and "shall have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast," then shall the "Sovereign Pontiff," and Cardinal Gibbons as his supporter, see that unity which they have so long craved. In the joy that its dominion is restored and its wound healed, it will break forth into singing, "I sit a queen and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." But will this union, this confederacy, bring to Christendom the anticipated joy and peace? No, indeed. Disappointed in their hopes for universal peace, the nations of men shall turn upon the former object of their adoration and shall "hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire." And to this antichristian power, and to all connected with it in unholy alliance, does the Lord proclaim: "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her."

F. M. W.