Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1914-12-23

oSSC1i6So Wy lilly S3.1"iol' wv
eond, the walk Of the indi-
vidual Christian, Which should be a
walk of purity (4:17-5:21; third, the
walk of the family, which should be
characterized by loving submission
and service (5:22-6:9). The difference
between the two main divisions of this
epistle may be stated thus: in the
first, the church is presented as an or
ganism which God alone sees; in the
second, the church is set forth as an
organization such as God would have
the world see.
Looking now for moment at the
church as characterized by unity, we
notice three trios of unities. First
there are those specific virtues which
secure and maintain the peace and
unity of the church: they are lowli,
ness, meekness, long-suifering and for.
bearance, and love.
The lowly man is one who is not
always clamoring for his rights but
is willing at times and where occasion
requires to yield those rights for the
welfare of others; he is, in other
words, the man of humble and lowly
spirit. Where this spirit is found in
any church, uni-y prevails; its abb
sence means friction.
The meek man is the man who
thinks as little of his personal claims
as the humble man does of his per-
sonal merits; he gladly gives place to
others and is willing to take the low
est room. How many seeds of strife
and roots Of bitterness would be de-
%stroyed if this mind were in us all.
Self-importance and love of office, and
a craving for applause and leading
uasaaaS, aS,4mass> the unity and peace of.
the church
not harsh or censorious or impatient
in his dealings with those who are
weaker than himself and who have not
yet reached his attainment. He is
forbearing with the weaknesses and
faults of others and does not cease to
love or interest himself in his neigh
Dor, even though he has faults and
weaknesses.
There is next presented to US those
fundamental unities on which the
unity of the church is based, namely,
one body, one Spirit, one hope; one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God
over all, through all, in all
The church is one body. This is
the teaching Of Scripture. At the time
of his conversion every believer was
baptized by the holy spirit into the
body OF Jesus Christ One spirit, the
holy spirit, permeates all its members.
Indeed, only spirit-quickened men be-
long to the real church which is the
body of Jesus Christ. There is one
hope of our calling, that is, friendship
with Christ who is the one object and
inspiration Of our hope; one object,
to realize, likeness to Christ; one
prize to win, the crown Of life. Are
we not going to the same heaven, and
looking for the same Lord? The one
ness of aim of believers makes unity
and fellowship glorious reality. Then
the church is in reality one, and
church unity is really fact. There
may be many denominations, yet one
body; many stars. and one star differ
ing from another in glory, yet one
radiant sky; many regiments, each
its own uniform and colors, but one
great army; many folds, but one flock;
many creeds, but one faith; many ac-
cents, but one common language;
many ways of doing things, but one
motive.
Here then is e true unseen unity
which binds together all believers in
the Lord Jesus Christ, and shall we
say that an outer unity of organiza-
ton is impossible? Who will dare
say that? We would be sorry to see
the handwriting of the church affixed
to such conclusion.
Shall we deem impossible an enter
prise which secular societies are ac-
complishing every day? Tell it not in
Gath. publish it not in Ascalon, that
a unity which the order of freemason-
rv and the brotherhood of locomotive
engineers have succeeded in attain
ing by voluntary effort and under no
stronger force than sympathy and a
sense of common need-that such a
unity has been declared impossible to
the church of Jesus Christ! The vision
may come. If it tarry, let Us wait for
1t, but meanwhile let us rest assured
OF one thing, that the real church of
Jesus Christ is one body, is permeated
by one spirit, and has one hope Of her
calling.