Editorial November 3, 1906 Issue

A UNIVERSAL PRIESTHOOD

John B. Willis

It is the very genius of Christianity that its redemptive truths are to be possessed by every believer; that he is to become a king and priest unto God, be "endued with power," whereby he may prove Truth's efficiency in the solution of his life problems.

We are all familiar with the fact that, however extended its ramifications, an electric system remains an absolute unit. Its smallest subdivision is ever at-one with the great generating plant, and therefore clothed with its authority and power. So, too, is every divine idea or child at-one with God, his divine Principle, and in the early Church this fact was abundantly demonstrated. The disciples, for the most part, were crude commoners, without education, rank, or distinction, and yet they were early called to the exercise of the highest spiritual functions, and straightway proceeded to fulfil them. Theoretically this idea has survived in the assertion of individual privilege and responsibility, but practically it was discarded centuries ago.

To-day not only is there no thought that the rank and file of Christian believers may posses the healing and redemptive power of Truth, but even the clergy lay little claim to its possession. In creedal statement every believer is said to be related to God, but the healing phenomena of this relation are not anticipated, much less realized, in Christian experience. That the Church has been remiss and that it has suffered a corresponding loss of spiritual power, is being recognized to-day by many Christian people of all denominations.

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