p. 85 | UNITY OF ACTION by R. F. C.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 29, 1861

UNITY OF ACTION.

By R. F. C.

Unity of faith and unity of spirit will lead us to unity of action. Nothing is a better test of our faith and spirit than our actions. The language of the Christian is, "Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." The church should act in harmony in the great work of the last message, and be prepared for every good work. Not wait till some pressing need calls for our action, and then, very unfortunately, be destitute of the means to supply the pressing demand. We do not act thus in our temporal affairs. We do not wait till pinched with hunger, before we make arrangements for a supply of provisions. And, if we seek first the kingdom of God, we shall take measures that the wants of his cause shall not fail to be supplied, sooner than we would fail of our supply of daily food.

All should be united in a plan of operation. If no plan had been laid down in Scripture, we should devise one according to our best wisdom, and then all act in harmony upon it. But, very fortunately, an apostle, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has marked out a plan of Systematic Benevolence; and though, under varied circumstances, it may not be practicable to lay aside our liberality week by week, yet we can carry out the design of the plan, in its essential features, by laying aside the portion of a number of weeks at once.

It is some time since this plan has been proposed for our consideration and action. And I have reason to fear that it has not been acted upon as it should have been. Some have had their objections to the plan, and others, who have not objected, have neglected it. It is time that we were up and doing. The great work of the third message is just before us; and all, young and old, want a share in the work. As to objections, I do not know of any that may be urged now, that might not, with equal propriety, have been urged by the churches of Galatia and Corinth, at the time when Paul said, "Let every one of you lay by him in store as God has prospered him." There is no compulsion about this. If we do not choose to serve the Lord and his cause, we can neglect it. But, as it was then, so it is now, "God loveth the cheerful giver."

I would recommend to all who have not, to adopt the plan; and to those who have adopted it, to carry it vigorously forward. The increasing wants of the cause will demand it. Let no one, young or old, who does not lack for comfortable food and clothing, excuse himself. A very little of that care and labor that provides these things, can aid in the cause of God. Some content themselves with thinking how much they would do if they were rich. As though, in that case, they could make the Lord rich. Such deceive themselves. The poor widow could lay up as great a treasure in heaven as she could had she possessed millions.

Let each of us strive so to do that the Lord can say of us as of one of old: "She hath done what she could." And if we are faithful in our sphere of action, we shall soon hear him say, "Well done."

R. F. C.