FROM OUR EXCHANGES

with contributions from H. H. Barber, Canon Henson

[Congregationalist and Christian World.]

How is Christian unity coming and what will it be? It is nearly always anticipated as one organization based on one declaration of belief. The main efforts to bring in Christian unity are in the direction of adjusting differences of ecclesiastical government and of formulating a single creed that all Christians may be willing to sign. We do not see any real progress toward union along either of these paths. The only Christian unity that is coming, so far as we can see, is that which depends on a common attitude toward Jesus Christ of believers in him. That was the unity of primitive Christians. Church government and creeds vary in different times and countries and according to inherited ideas and degrees of education. Loyal devotion to Jesus Christ is everywhere the same among his disciples. It may be, therefore, that Christian unity is nearer than we have supposed; and some new and adequate expression of it that will impress the world may be at hand.

[Prof. H. H. Barber in Christian Register.]

The disciple is not only to believe rightly, but also to act worthily. It is not enough to admire and adore the perfection of God: he must himself strive to be perfect as his Father in heaven is perfect. It is not enough to love Christ: the disciple must keep his commandments, and live in the spirit of his life. It is not enough to pray for forgiveness: we must ourselves forgive our enemies, or our prayer avails not. It does not suffice to sow the seeds of virtuous principles, and tend them in the growth of high ideals and the beautiful blossoming of lofty sentiments: they must bear fruit. Christianity never lets go its hold on practical life. There are systems of philosophy, possibly there are systems of theology, which may be consistently held as theories only; but no Christian belief is adequate or worthy which does not make character nobler and life more serviceful and complete.

[Christian Life, London.]

In religion, nicety of creed is not elevation of sentiment; enthusiastic fervor of emotion is not elevation of sentiment; occupation in ceremonial forms is not elevation of sentiment; abstraction from the concerns of life is not elevation of sentiment. It is the progressive attainment of universal knowledge, the feeling of universal sympathy, the exercise of universal love. That is the true rising of the soul above the world, which draws the world itself upward and onward too. In manners, society, politics, morals, in all the affairs of life, all the world over, real elevation, real aspiration after the things which are above, must be found in the simplicity of wisdom and benevolence—living in love, which is to live in God and be in heaven already.

[Canon Henson of England, in Church Congress, Boston.]

There is in the world a force superior to man, yet kindred with him, which wins his free allegiance and transforms him visibly. The Holy Spirit of God has been active in the world since men were; humanity is unthinkable apart from His influence. Every religion worthy the name is His organ, addressing itself to the conscience, reordering and exalting conduct, making men, under whatever descriptions they may pass, "friends of God and prophets."

[New-Church Messenger.]

Heaven's blessings press upon us on all sides like the very atmospheres, but they can come into one only as some act appropriates them.

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