The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1915-06-18

DC HOIuL0u Jul
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-
dition 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.
Needfui Graces.
Several graces are mentioned In
the text which will greatly assist to-
wards the goal of unity.
Lowliness" comes first. This is a
distinctively Christian grace. for
while the pagans recognized it 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: lie 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 warm current
surely dissolves it; so the soft an
swer turns away wrath. What q 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" It 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 it, even in dealing with Chris.
tians, for not all of these are per.
feet!
j The Quaker and the Organ.
The value of this grace in the
preservation of unity is exhibited in
a quaint incident. Some years ago it
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 it
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 a
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"
ST cannot tell thee how grieved I
am" was the reply.
We'll" continued the minister, IF
thee feels that way about 1t, 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 1t, let it
stay"
Workers Under George Mueller.
The proper maintenance of unity is
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 soon
came to bett n mind. for he recalled
that only by Gods grace was he given
to see truth. He felt that true Chris.
tians should walk In love. and tn
only point upon which he insisted as
a ground of fellowship was that they
should belong to the head, holding
fast the Son of God. He felt that
more study of the word. more humil.
ity, more obedience. would lead to
fuller agreement, and that the oneness
Of mind which will obtain in heaven
may be anticipates even now. Mean
while, we would not make agreement
upon particular points of truth the
basis of union. although 1t Is to be
emphasized that he was unbending in
his insistence upon truth as God gave
him to see it. He neither sacrificed
truth for unity nor unnecessarily sac
rificed unity in fidelity to truth. May
his spirit Of wisdom and love be ours