Article October 28, 1911 Issue

UNITY.

A. B. FICHTER

In all ages the great value of unity has been recognized by men of loftiest vision, and the illustration of the bundle of sticks, exemplifying the strength which unity confers, may have come to more than one nation along its course of development. Heroic sacrifices have been made in republics for the maintenance of unity in several historic instances, the most notable of these probably being the valiant struggle of the United States of America in their determination to preserve the Union. There is, nevertheless, much to be learned, and mankind is only beginning to recognize what it is losing in daily experience of good by the absence of a more decided realization of unity, concerning which the psalmist sang: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." He also likened it to the precious ointment which was used in the consecration of Aaron, the first high priest, of whom it is said that he was "to make an atonement" for the purpose of cleansing the Levites; and also "that there be no plague among the children of Israel," all of which seems to point to a healing office of the priest who was thus anointed.

The oil which symbolized to the ancient Hebrews consecration, or setting apart for the service of God, was used on many occasions, notably by Samuel when he anointed David, after careful scrutiny and under divine guidance, to become the future king of Israel. In this manner David became "the Lord's anointed," foreshadowing the more excellent hope of the Messiah, of whom the psalmist prophetically sang, "God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." The word Christ, a modification of the Greek synonym for "The Anointed," lifts thought to the understanding of our Master's work for humanity, the atonement, resulting in the healing of every "plague among the children of Israel."

The early church adhered to the use of the oil consecration; also for the purpose of healing as indicated in James' epistle. To this healing oil the psalmist likens the achievement of unity among brethren, by saying of the oil that it "went down to the skirts of his garments." Here he seems to imply that the healing influence of unity, the honest consecrated striving for the good of all, will permeate and reach into every internal and external mode of thought, expression, and action. In another Messianic psalm this gracious effect of the healing influence finds expression in the words, "Thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia," which passage might be transcribed in Mrs. Eddy's cherished words (Poems, p. 12),—

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