Be of One Mind by Julia A. Dayton

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 20, 1865

Be of One Mind.

By Julia A. Dayton

MANY passages of scripture might be adduced, forming a beautiful and harmonious testimony illustrative of the apostle's meaning upon this important subject; a subject which has hitherto, by the great mass of mankind, been deemed one of but little importance, and unworthy of scarce a passing notice. And so prevalent has this error become, that it does not startle the seeker after truth, to hear upon the right and left, from the learned professor, or illiterate lounger, that it makes but little difference what one's belief is, so long as he is sincere; until, too willing to take for doctrine the commandments of men, neglecting to search the Scriptures which are able to make them wise unto salvation, and to bring about an end so desirable, and one so expressly enjoined by the apostle, we see as the result, what might be expected, discord and confusion. And if, perchance, some honest soul would make his way from out this modern Babel, he has, indeed, abundant need to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to aid him in his search for truth.

Not surprised, perhaps, to find so many differences of opinion among the "friends of the world," he turns in ardent hope to the few who profess to be "the friends of God," and how does his heart ache and his purpose waver, while his mind is torn with conflicting views as he finds even these, pointing, one this way, another that, leaving him like Noah's weary dove, without a place to rest; his ardent longings giving way to despair at sight of the confusion all around him. Alas for him if he lean upon the arm of flesh. How many have fallen over this stone of stumbling, and gone down to perdition, the day that bringeth every work into judgment alone may reveal. Surely it cannot be a subject of small moment which gives occasion for the earnest language of the apostle, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Cor. i, 10. Fitting it is, that his tender importunities should touch our hearts,

and inspire within us a careful zeal to approve ourselves clear in this matter.

But there is another view to be taken of this subject, in order to prevent the unwary from running into the other extreme. We cannot suppose from the above text, that the apostle meant to convey the idea that we ought literally to make use of the same words to express our thoughts and feelings one to another, like a good sister of whom I once heard, who, desiring to write a letter to send for publication in a religious paper, copied almost word for word the expressions of another, from a previous number which fell under her notice. But while it is our privilege and duty to be of the same judgment, and that judgment matured and sanctified through the truth, it is also ours to freely use, or, as the apostle has it, “to stir up the gift that is in us, improving upon the talents he has given us, who hath divided to every man severally as he will.” And is it not better thus? Every one knows how refreshing it is to meet now and then, one who dares clothe his ideas in his own words, all the more refreshing for the charm of originality. We may be of the same mind though we may robe our thoughts in a different garb; and we would lay aside as dull and monotonous, a series of letters composed after some prescribed rule, though written by different individuals.

To illustrate: Two brethren write for the paper. Bro. A. writes in a manner characteristic of himself, with much humility, while Bro. B. writes with freedom, and “as one having authority,” yet both of the same judgment, and for one object—the glory of God. Thus it becomes evident that “there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit,” “and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” “For to one is given by the Spirit, the word of wisdom,” “to another, faith by the same Spirit,” and the ear may not say, because I am not the eye I am not of the body. “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him.” “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church, yet withal being of the same mind.” For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

JULIA A. DAYTON.

Chesaning, Mich.