UNITY by H. F. Baker

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1861

UNITY.

By H. F. Baker

DEAR BRO. WHITE: Being in a measure sensible of the difficulties which surround you in your responsible position, I feel it my duty, though a humble individual, and so situated as to exercise but little influence, to extend you my heart and hand in sustaining the cause of God, so far as it may go to encourage and assist you; and though it may be but the two mites, yet I opine that not even that is to be despised.

If we look back to what I believe to be the great type of this very work, we can readily see how very foolish any man, or company of men, would have been to leave the hosts and go some other way, or attempt to work their own way through. It was only by going with the hosts of Israel, though rough the way and long the journey, that the pillar of fire by night and cloud by day could be their beacon, to guide through the perils of the wilderness. Well may we learn a lesson from the fate of Korah and his company if we make any attempt to gainsay what the Lord himself has ordered.

This, if I understand the matter, is the spirit that has discouraged and distressed you. Not that any one has had the assurance to stand boldly out as did Korah; for that could be easily and summarily dealt with; but it is done as effectually, and even more distressingly, by those individuals who go about with ruffled feathers and dissatisfied countenances, scattering disaffection all around them, when you do what God has pointed out to be your duty, and crossed their path; or when you follow where God leads and thwart their pre-judged opinions of the proper course.

I attended the conference at Battle Creek last fall, and voted once against taking a name, but repented my folly and changed it; and although I could not see clearly, I did it for unity and harmony; but I can now say, as did the blind man whom Jesus healed, when he was arraigned before the council, "Whereas I was blind, I now see." I see the beauty, the necessity, and the consistency of the very name by which we agreed to call ourselves; and so far from entertaining a murmur, I feel to rejoice in his goodness, and humbly to say, Lead me, O Lord.

You then suggested the necessity of more thorough organization as a church; and the last Review has developed it more fully; and I think the address makes itself clearly understood, and should receive the approbation of every honest heart.

If I can read the Scriptures aright (and I make them my study every day), Paul represents the church as a body, Christ being the head. Rom. xii, 4, 5; Col. i, 18; Eph. v, 23; iv, 15, &c. Now we all know that the human body is most perfect and beautiful in its organization; and one can only exclaim in view of it, How wonderful! He who studies it, sees the perfect adaptability of every part to the office assigned it; and each joint, bone, muscle, sinew, vessel and organ, must be in its place, performing its office, or all feels the disaffection. Let disease seize a part, and how readily does the whole sympathize with it, and by preserving their integrity, greatly assist in restoring the affected part to its wonted health. Could this be the case unless all were organized together? There may be a foot, a leg, a body, a hand, arm, heart, lungs, blood-vessels, and all the necessary organs; but what can it amount to unless all are organized together?

Just so with the church. It must be thoroughly organized, not be dead like too many of the professed churches of Christ, but have the Spirit of the Lord breathed into it. Then Christ, who is the head, can work through it the mighty purposes which are given him to do. And when his body is perfectly organized so that every part works in its place, performing its proper office, then, and not till then, will he employ it in giving the loud cry of the third angel, and enlightening the earth with its glory. The idea of church-books, records, and conferences composed of members elected with delegated powers, may be a lion in the way of some; but let such remember that there is a church-book in heaven. Rev. xx, 15. Records are also kept, as is indicated in verse 12 of the same chapter, and we know that every messenger sent from

there comes with delegated powers.

Now if these things be necessary for the perfect order which heaven possesses, how much more when short-sighted, forgetful, erring man has to manage the things pertaining to the body of Christ. "United, we stand; divided, we fall."

Let the church become a unit (and I do not know how this can be accomplished without thorough organization), and O, what a mighty lever to pry over the strongholds of iniquity, and make the world feel its influence.

But enough. I am satisfied the Lord will sift his people over these things, and sift them again and again, until he has a church without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. And giving all diligence to make my calling and election sure, I feel the necessity of following where the people of God go. And so long as I will do his will, I have the promise that I shall never be at a loss to know who they are.

May the Lord be your strength, your right arm, your high tower, and the rock of your salvation, is the prayer of your unworthy brother.

H. F. BAKER.

Wauseon, Ohio.