The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-06-11

/ u
me-" But It 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 unity
Of another kind, and believe 1t is set
forth in our text as the unity of the
Spirit" Furthermore. this is con-
ditlon 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 insistence Is the In
ward unity.
Needful Graees.
Several graces are mentioned In
the text which will greatly assist to-
wards the goal OF unity.
"Lowliness" comes first. This is
distinctively Christian grace, for
while the pagans recognized 1t as right
when necessary, they felt 1t 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 a hair trigger" What
a 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 an
iceberg with mighty hammers leaves
it undisturbed, but q warm current
surely dissolves 1t; so the soft an
swer turns away wrath. What Id
bricant for the wheels of church life
Is meeknessi
But meekness is to be not only meek
but "long-suffering. This is long.
mindedness, as opposed to short
temper" II 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 we'll and love them.
This grace enables us to take sides,
even against ourselves. and we shall
need It, even In dealing with Chris
tians, for not all OF these are per-
feet!
The Quaker and the Organ.
The value of this grace In the
/ preservation of unity Is exhibited in
a quaint incident. Some years ago IL
was proposed to purchase an organ
for Friends meeting house in a 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
ID 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
lister 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 I
am" was the reply.
We'll" continued the minister, III
thee feels that way about 1t, ! viii
take the organ out OF the meeting
house with my own hands"
NO. no." demurred the old man. II
thee feels that way about 1t. let u
stay"
And II did stay. while the unity Of
the Spirit was kept In the bond OF
peace.
Workers Under George Mueller.
The proper maintenance Of unity II
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 be was
de posed to stand aloof from those
who saw them not But this did not
result IN peace and JOY. and he soon
came TO a better mind. for be recalled
that only By Gce.s grace Vas BE given