Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-09-06
The Root of Christian Unity.

Unity consists in sameness of nature, or
of essential qualities. In the realm of
spirit, the only kind of unity existing
springs from oneness of life principle. Its
type in nature is not the solid stone, but
the fexile plant. Contiguity of atoms does
not make tree one. One vital force per-
vades bark and trunk, leaf and branch and
tender twig.
In the church, what is the unifying life
principle, and where does it reside? 1t is
spiritual, and hence to be found in the soul.
Its seat is in the individual heart. Its
earthly home is in the cherished affection,
and settled purpose of the being. 1t is
known by its signs of indices in the con-
duct, words, looks-but its abiding place
is within. Its springs are hidden, remote
from The visible baubles which animate
the world, more powerful in manifestation
than they, as deeper and farther from the
common light. Just as the sources of
mighty waters, you find by winding among
stones and hills and wildernesses apart
from day and man, in cleft or dell, with
hoary vegetation and messy rock around,
tokens of the silence and seclusion. The
life of the christian rises in the still regions
Of calm determination, with God and the
atmosphere Of heaven around. There, in
view Of the hearts permanent wants and
great moral facts, the solemn choice for
life is made and renewed. Latent powers
in the soul are touched, and right, God,
Christ are made the eternal law of the
whole being. This grand act of faith and
preference raises the man from dead things
to place among living, divine agents. il
is day by day repeated, intensified, and its
losses repaired in those exercises of mind
which are most personal, profound, and
with God. Thence it is carried, or carries
the soul through the intercourse of time
Things visibly indirectly affect this life, moi
by the first impressions they make-thesC
are common to all men. But their spirit
ual uses, the fundamental reflections anC
aspirations to which they guide, the devi
ations and lapses they occasion, belong t
Us Individually, and vary with different
persons. The inner principle untrammel
ed, elects and appropriates from that which
is without the dew of heaven, and reject
what is poison.
What one is trying steadily to he, to d.
or to become, and to make others become
in the under current Of his soul, that IS hi
life That determines whether he has tn
carnal mind which is death, or the spirit
ual mind which is life and peace. Tha
decides whether he is one with God, hi
Savior, and all his children, or essential
self sundered from them. 1t determine
whether he is to 60 on progressively neal
eF to all the good, or farther and farthe
from them forever
Such is the thorough going nature of thu
which makes christians one. The leadin
fact, in our conceptions of the church,
that it is composed of those who have bee
made alike in the peryasive purpose
F their being. In religious matters, piet
wrought in us by the Holy Ghost in COZ
nectiou with our change of controlling ain
is the only basis Of fellowship worthy
the name. lis source is Christ abiding
the heart. 1t is the sacred and glorio,
, boon of The heavenly presence dwelling
us. We are made partakers of the Divir
, nature. He who came to pardon and teac
to give his life for us, also gives his life
US. ''In him is life"
= Whenever is manifested most practical
the unity of saints, it is because each
{ most fully swayed by Christ As q lead
, sometimes infuses his own spirit into b
followers, puts himself into them, thus a
+ imatng them with one overmastering e
thusiasm, so, only in uumeasured degree
Christ, invited and truly present. fills ;
! his disciples. They are then moved
one impulse, lifted up by a common rece
ton Of his love into perfect union wi
=, each other and with God. Barriers
/ communion and cooperation are east
A passed over. The great common hope al
work and heritage seem all in all, viii
o the disagreements appear as they are, pr
= ty aud suon to pass away,
Il Do we not see from these truths what
- especially need in order to bring the a
" swer to the Savior's prayer for the onent
- of his disciples? We want more of Chri
~ more love to him. In our relations to t
I particular church where our names g
= written, we need it. We need it in Q
~ relations to the church of the whole DO
Of the relanmnd Il Hrnnce