Article March 21, 1914 Issue

Unity

ROBERT L. SAWYER

In his superb exhortation to unity, as given in the fourth chapter of Ephesians, Paul pleads for "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. ... Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." That righteousness might become universal has been the purpose of every religious teaching; yet in the endeavor to approach spiritual perfection through the medium of materiality, mankind have "turned every one to his own way," thus losing sight of the very thing they so earnestly but misguidedly sought. Nevertheless we hear today, as of old, the desire expressed by people of every denomination, that there might be "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." The disintegrating influence introduced by Emperor Constantine in his effort to ally church and state, while seemingly successful, has developed into a rehearsal of the Babel story, wherein mankind must learn that "God is a Spirit," that His "kingdom is not of this world," and that there is no oneness outside this kingdom of spiritual truth. God's universe reflects one Mind, and the Mind of Christ can appear only as mankind cease to dwell in the dreamland of material sense and unite in an understanding of the real and eternal. Well said Christ Jesus, "Upon this rock I will build my church."

Mrs. Eddy saw clearly that no scientific unity could ever be attained until there was established in human consciousness a spiritual perspective and standard of values, both as to cause and effect, which would enable the individual to eliminate the fungus growth of false, counterfeit views of intelligence, and bring thought into perfect obedience to God, good. As in the case of the fruitless fig-tree, referred to in the thirteenth chapter of Luke, she began to dig about its roots, and her labor was not in vain. The tree soon unfolded anew; it blossomed in spite of attacks from pulpit and press, and bore fruit in righteousness and peace. Others, seeing her good works, were led to enter the vineyard, where they too, following the example of their Leader, soon became actively engaged. Many who at first said, "Cut it down," came to find peace and rest beneath the sheltering branches, and to them it became a veritable "tree of life."

This perfect order of unfolding growth was manifested by our Leader at every step. As the tree symbolized by The Mother Church was nurtured and cared for, its branches began to appear in every direction, as the outbursting of that indwelling energy of divine Truth whose first requirement is acceptance, then obedience. The increased demand for nourishment called into existence The Christian Science Publishing Society, that the vital currents of true thought might flow unchecked. The requisite strength of the tree and the symmetrical unfoldment of its branches was revealed in the Church Manual, while the committees on publication labored to protect the growing tree from the attacks of malice and ignorance.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Unity

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access