The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-06-11

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be pointed out
that during the middle ages the ideaI
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 unity
OF another kind. and believe IL is set
forth in our text as "the unity of the
Spirit" Furthermore, this is n con
dition which does not have To he pro
duced. but which we are 10 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 insistence is the In
ward unity.
NeedfuI Graces.
Several graces are mentioned In
the text which will greatly assist to
wards the goal OF unity.
'Lowliness" comes first. This is q
distinctively Christian grace. foi
while the pagans recognized II as right
when necessary, they felt II was not
good in itself But our very exalta
tion in Christ is to beget in US the
lowly spirit: the apostle has just been
speaking OF our high calling when
l.,
Drummond says that loneliness is
conceit with hair trigger" What
n stepping-stone to unity. then. is low
Illness.
Next comes "meekness." This is
submission both TO God and men,
grounded in humility of spirit. Meek
ness does not press its claims. yet Is
a most powerful grace. Pounding al
iceberg with mighty hammers leaves
IL undisturbed. but warm current
surely dissolves 1t; so the soft an
swer turns away wrath. What a lu
bricant for the wheels OF church life
is meekness!
But meekness is TO be not only meek
but "long-suffering This is long
mindedness. as opposed to short
temper" IL 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
need II. even in dealing with Chris
tians. for not all OF these are per
fectl
The Quaker and the Organ.
The value OF this grace in the
preservation OF unity is exhibited in
a quaint incident. Some years ago II
was proposed to- purchase an organ
for a Friends meeting house ia Ger
tain town In Ohio. This was strongly
opposed by AN aged Quaker. for the
use OF musical instruments was not
so common among the Friends as IL
Is today. In spite Of his opposition,
however. the organ was installed. The
old man did not stay away from meet
ing. but the organ was evidently
great cross TO him. Finally. the min
ister called upon him and the follow
ing conversation took place:
Friend said the minister. thee
seems grieved at the organ in the
meeting"
Il cannot tell thee how grieved !
am" was the reply.
Well" continued the minister. M
thee feels that way about II. I will
take the organ out OF the meeting
house with my own hands"
NO. no." demurred the old man, 'if
thee feels that way about il. let IL
stay"
And IL did stay. while the unity .oi
the Spirit was kept In the bond Of
peace.
Workers Under George Mueller.
The proper maintenance OF unity In
well illustrated In the work Of George
Mueller. founder OF the orphanage at
Bristol. England. Representatives Of
all the evangelical churches were
found in his large force of teachers,
yet a beautiful spirit OF unity pre-
vailed. Mr. Mueller tells US that when
he first saw certain truths he was
disposed to stand aloof from those
who saw. them not But this did not
result in peace and Joy. and he coon
came to better mind. for he recalled
that only by Gods grace was be given