Editorial April 5, 1913 Issue

CHRISTIAN UNITY

John B. Willis

Every student of historic Christianity must come to see the very great difference between the individualism of Christ Jesus and the individualism of the Protestant movement inaugurated by Huss and Savonarola and put into organic form by Luther and his associates. Further, if he is also a student of Christian Science he will perceive that the individualism of Christ Jesus was scientific. He knew the truth, the law of Spirit, and he grounded his teaching on demonstrable propositions. Luther and his confreres were impelled by a heroic belief respecting the truth, but the thought that a right apprehension of spiritual things could be verified as it was by the Master, had long since been given up by the Christian church; and while the Reformation was the dawn of the day of Israel's return, its one great inadequacy was found in its failure to reestablish the Science of early Christianity.

As a result of this lamentable fact, the history of the Protestant movement has been the story of the clash of two forces, one of which found expression in the assertion and maintenance of the freedom of every man to worship God after the dictates of his own conscience, to become a king and priest unto God on his own account, and if necessary all by himself. The other force found expression through that instinct, as well as practical necessity, for organization which has looked to fellowship and propaganda effectiveness.

The sense of freedom has always meant disintegration to ecclesiastical authority and organization, always tended to break down attempted cooperation. It has led to the multiplied dissensions which have resulted in divisions in the ranks, and consequent defeat, ofttimes, in the day of battle. The right of private judgment in things spiritual is the palladium of Protestantism, the very heart of Christian democracy. Its maintenance is the religious world's one assurance of escape from enslavement to ecclesiasticism and superstition. Nevertheless, it has always conduced to schism and separation, while over against its assertions the call for a social system and for concerted action has grown more and more imperative, and how collectivism can be made effective and individualism be retained is a problem which rests heavily upon many a heroic Christian heart today.

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