Nay, surely christians, your master longs for unity. Lay aside every other consideration, and let his will be paramount, and your desire and prayer be “that they all may be one.”
The other reason I would adduce for the cultivation of this spirit, arises from the direct influence such unity is to have upon the conversion of the world, (as stated in my text,) “I pray that they may all be one, (in order,) that (as a means to an end,) the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
The conclusion then, at which I would desire to arrive, is, that such unity is essential to the final triumph of the Gospel; that if we desire the latter we must seek to promote the former; and in fact, that unless we are willing to strive for—sacrifice for—pray for the spirit of unity; our efforts, zeal, and devotedness will be virtually defeated.
And now look, beloved brethren, what is the state of the world in this the nineteenth century? Eighteen hundred years have rolled away, since the command was given by the Great head of the church, the risen and ascending Saviour, “go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” And still the Prince of darkness maintains his sway among the nations. Idolatry and superstition, the chief pillars of his throne, are resting in almost every land. Darkness still covers the earth, and gross darkness, the people. Out of 900 millions of immortal souls, scarcely 300 millions are even nominally Christians. To multitudes the name of Jesus is a sound unknown; and the glad tidings of His grace and salvation strange things.
My brethren, ought these things so to be? Or would these things have so been, if the church of Christ had risen to her duty; in a word, had greater union prevailed among her members? She has had strength, resources, opportunities; she has not lacked zeal, intelligence, nor encouragement; but she has expended her strength, in that which profiteth nothing; her resources, in fostering intestine warfare; and perverted her opportunities, to promote sectarian dogmas, and anti-christian strife. We are called bitterly to mourn these departures from the Spirit of Christ; and thus with shame, to confess that we are verily guilty concerning our heathen brethren. Upon the christian church, has been laid the obligation to preach to them the Gospel; but alas! we have fearfully neglected our duty, or at least very inadequately performed it.
But see, my beloved brethren, what influence this christian unity would exert, and what consequences would follow from it in the conversion of the world. For the church would then be a witness for the truths and excellence of the glorious gospel—and how important is that! It is in the church that the men of the world study the gospel. They care not to investigate its real nature, as revealed in the bible—they care not to study its features, in the character of Christ—they care not to attend to its delineation in the ordinance of preaching. But they can see it in professors—and they will scrutinize their character, and keen sighted and vigilant are they in detecting evil, and discerning imperfections. And how invariably have the division, discord, and strifes of the church, laid a stumbling block in the way of the enquirer—strengthened the worldly in their prejudices against the truth, and confirmed the unbeliever in his incredulity and contempt.
But on the other hand; a church, spiritual, zealous, devoted, one in love to each other, in love to Christ and love to souls, would bear upon itself its own credentials. The world convinced by such evidence, and impressed by such scenes, would acknowledge “that God was with us of a truth,” our religion would be honoured, and “the name of our Lord Jesus Christ glorified.”
And again—if such unity existed and prevailed, the whole undivided energies and resources of the church, would be at liberty, and ready to be devoted to the extension of the gospel, and the salvation of the world.
Much strength is now lost in our conflicts with each other—much squandered upon vain and profitless discussion. Let these hitherto mis-employed energies be called forth—these perverted resources gathered into the proper channels; and then may we not hope that the church of Christ would present an unbroken front to the powers of evil, and move on one compact and irresistible host to secure the happy subjection of all things to our Redeemer.
The cultivation of this spirit moreover, would place us in a state of eminent preparedness for our glorious work. Our minds would no longer be engaged in minor objects, but would constantly recognize the one great end—the conversion of the world to Christ. All occasions of envying, strife, and division being removed; what agents would Christians be in this holy enterprize? Men baptized with pity for souls and love to Jesus—burning with ardent zeal to make him known—counting not their lives dear unto themselves, so that they may set forth the unsearchable riches of Christ. And in answer to the united prayers of such an united people, Christ would send forth his Holy Spirit as it never yet has come.