News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-10-06

1870 y: ..Ht.sA&3 me- But 1t may
be pointed out
that during the middle ages the ideal
Of outward unity was almost realized,
yet the results which our Lord said
would flow from real oneness were
far from being attained We conclude,
therefore. that Christ spoke of a unity
of another kind, and believe it is set
forth in our text as the unity of the
Spirit" Furthermore, this is a con-
Jttion which does not have to be pro-
duced, but which we are to keep"
Already, the truly regenerate are one
in Christ, being baptized by the Spirit
into the body of which our Lord is the
head. But this oneness is to be
realized in a community of feeling
and purpose. This realization would
certainly do away with some of the
outward divisions among Christians,
but the point of insi5teuce is the in
ward unity.
Needful Craces.
Several graces are mentioned in
the text which viii greatly assist to-
wards the goal of unity.
"Lowliness" comes first This is a
distinctively Christian grace, for
while the pagans recognized 1t as right
when necessary. they felt it was not
good in itself. But our very exalta-
ton in Christ is to beget in US the
lowly spirit: the apostle has just been
speaking of our high calling when
he turns to exhort US to lowliness.
Drummond says that loneliness is
conceit with hair trigger" What
q stepping-stone to unity, then, is low
Illness.
Next comes Thickness" This is
submission both to God and men,
grounded in humility of spirit. Meek
ness does not press its claims, yet is
most powerful grace. Pounding an
iceberg with mighty hammers leaves
it undisturbed. but a warm current
surely dissolves it; so the soft. an
swer turns away wrath. What lu-
bricant for the wheels Of church life
is meekness!
But meekness is to be not only meek
but "long-suffering." This is long
as opposed to short
temper" 1t is akin to the unweary-
ing patience of God.
"Forbearing one another in love-"
This is an active manifestation of long
suffering, allowing for the frailties and
mistakes of others, even when they
wound US. This can be done because
We wish them well and love them.
This grace enables us to take sides,
even against ourselves, and we shall
heed it, even in dealing with Chris
ians, for not all of these are per-
ect!
The Quaker and the Organ.
The value of this grace in the
of unity is exhibited in
quaint incident. Some years ago it
vas proposed to purchase an organ
or Friends meeting house in GER
ain town in Ohio. This was strongly
pposed by an aged Quaker, for the
Sc of musical instruments was not
o common among the Friends as it
J today. In spite of his opposition,
owever, the organ was installed. The
Id man did not stay away from meet
lg, but the organ was evidently a
reat cross to him. Finally, the min
ter called upon him and the follow
lg conversation took place:
Friend" said the minister, thee
GEMS grieved at the organ in the
Getting"
Il cannot tell thee how grieved I
H." was the reply.
Well" continued the minister, eff
zee feels that way about it, l will
Ike the organ out of the meeting
use with my own hands"
mo, no. demurred the old man, eff
ee feels that way about it, let it
ay."
And it did stay, while the unity of
e Spirit was kept in the bond of
ace.
Workers Under George Mueller.
The proper maintenance of unity is
IL illustrated in the work of George
teller, founder of the orphanage at
istol, England. Representatives of
the evangelical churches were
Ind in his large force of teachers,
beautiful spirit of unity pre-
led. Mr.. Mueller tells us that when
first saw certain truths he was
posed to stand aloof from those
o saw them not. But this did not
ult in peace and joy, and he soon
ne to better mind, for he recalled
It only by Gods grace was he given
see truth.