Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-04-07
UNITY AMONG SAINTS.

A recent number OF the Searchlight,
published by the Church Of Christ.
commonly known as "Hedrlckites, has
an appeal for unity among those who
believe In the Book OF Mormon and
the divine mission Of the Prophet
Joseph. The appeal says in part;
1T is quite certain that a great and
glorious work Is ahead Of some part,
or perhaps all OF the believers In the
restored Gospel II the work is TO be
performed by all, then II behooves the
different fragments TO get closer to-
gether and attain condition in which
God may use them. II the work Is re-
served FOR one or two OF the frag-
ments % accomplish, then those who
desire TO engage In the work OF the
Lord should put forth an EFFORT TO dis
cover who are the favored ones. that
thew get In line and harmony with the
chosen"
The Saints Herald, the organ Of the
Reorganized church, copies the entire
article with this comment:
1--WE are prepared TO say with our
brethren OF the Church OF Christ, Let
us have peace We have been Of that
mind a long time. We are quite willing,
nay. anxious Tor peace"
But the Herald finds that each OF the
three divisions Is possessed OF certain
elements Of faith, doctrine. and prac-
tlce, which It believes to be essential.
They include a code OF belief. a system
Of practice, and claim to authority to
administer, and as long as there Is not
a sufficient unity OF belief there can be
no unity OF EFFORT. The Herald, how
ever, Is willing TO welcome the evangel
that will bring 10 pass this unity, no
matter whence he may come
We refer TO this as one Of the en-
couraging signs OF the times When
the need Of unity Is felt by the follow
ers Of the Nazarene, a great work is
about to be accomplished.
A common ground TO stand on Is UNI
doubtedly the first consideration, but
this must not be one prepared by hui
man wisdom, for the accommodation
Of ambition II should be no compromise
FOR the sake OF gaining a point Tho
ground must be pointed out by the d.
vine Master, and all must bow IN hui
mility TO His will. Only so can a last
ing union be consummated,
The Apostles plea for union among
the Corinthians is applicable 10 the
present case. When he heard that there
were divisions IN that branch Of the
Church he besought the brethren. by
the name Of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
ye all speak the same thing and that
there be no divisions" He pointed out
that there was no cause for contention.
because no flesh has anything to
glory IN. IN the presence Of the
Almighty, except "he that glOrleth, let
him glory In the Lord" There can be
no strife about that lie that takes
pleasure In divisions, the Apostle de-
clares. is yet "canal" and unfit for the
spiritual food that becomes a mature
person Having thus characterized the
condition OF fragments" he points out
the common ground ON which all can
unite. For other foundation" he says,
"can no man lay than that IL laid" All
that can be done Is to build upon
that foundation and the day cometh
when the value Of that work shall be
revealed. III any mans work abide
which he hath built thereupon, he shall
receive reward. II any mans work
shall be burned. he shall suffer loss"
This gives a key TO the present sltua-
tlon. az well as 20 the past. The
foundation has been laid by the Lord
Himself. and II has been dedicated by
the blood OF as noble martyrs as ever
received an imperishable crown Of
glory. II is FOR us TO build on that
foundation IN the fear OF the Lord and
under the guidance Of His Spirit To
the extent that this Is done. there will
be unity. To the extent that selfish.
"carnar motives inspire the work
there win be contention.
The key that was given to she
Prophet, when he was anxious to know
the viii Of the Father, is still available:
II any OF you lack wisdom let him
ask Of God" II the subjec, OF unity Is
studied with a prayerful heart, Cod
will certainly point out the way and
grant power 20 follow Il until the de-
sired goal lie reached.