Testimonies for the Church Regarding the Spirit of Unity

Chapter 5—Unity In Christ Jesus

Loma Linda, Cal.,

August 24, 1905.

To Our Brethren Connected with the Publishing Work at College View:

While attending the council meeting of the General Conference Committee, held in September, 1904, my mind was deeply exercised regarding the unity that should attend our work. I was not able to attend all the meetings, but in the night season scene after scene passed before me, and I felt that I had a message to bear to our people in many places. SpTB04 19.1

My heart is pained as I see that, with such wonderful incentives to bring our powers and capabilities to the very highest state of development, we are content to be dwarfs in the work of Christ. God's desire is that all His workers shall grow to the full stature of men and women in Christ. Where there is growth, there is vitality; the vitality testifies to the growth. The words and works bear living testimony to the world of what Christianity does for the followers of Christ. SpTB04 19.2

When you do your appointed work without contention or criticism of others, a freedom, a light, and a power will attend it that will give character and influence to the institutions and enterprises with which you are connected. SpTB04 19.3

Remember that you are never on vantage ground when you are ruffled, and when you carry the burden of setting right every soul who comes near you. If you yield to the temptation to criticize others, to point out their faults, to tear down what they are doing, you may be sure that you will fail to act your own part nobly and well. SpTB04 19.4

This is a time when every man in a responsible position, and every member of the church, should bring every feature of his work into close accord with the teachings of the word of God. By untiring vigilance, by fervent prayer, by Christlike words and deeds, we are to show the world what God desires His church to be. SpTB04 20.1

From His high position, Christ, the King of glory, the Majesty of heaven, saw the condition of men. He pitied human beings in their weakness and sinfulness, and came to this earth to reveal what God is to men. Leaving the royal courts, and clothing His divinity with humanity, He came to the world Himself, in our behalf to work out a perfect character. He did not choose His dwelling among the rich of the earth. He was born in poverty and of lowly parentage in the despised village of Nazareth. As soon as He was old enough to handle tools, He shared the burden of caring for the family. SpTB04 20.2

Christ humbled Himself to stand at the head of humanity, to meet the temptations and endure the trials that humanity must meet and endure. He must know what humanity has to meet from the fallen foe, that He might know how to succor those who are tempted. SpTB04 20.3

And Christ has been made our Judge. The Father is not the Judge. The angels are not. He who took humanity upon Himself, and in this world lived a perfect life, is to judge us. He only can be our Judge. Will you remember this, brethren? Will you remember it, ministers? Will you remember it, fathers and mothers? Christ took humanity that He might be our Judge. No one of you has been appointed to be a judge of others. It is all that you can do to discipline yourselves. In the name of Christ I entreat you to heed the injunction that He gives you, never to place yourself on the judgment-seat. From day to day since I have been at this meeting, this message has been sounded in my ears, Come down from the judgment-seat. Come down in humility. SpTB04 20.4

Never was there a time when it was so important that we should deny ourselves, and take up the cross daily, as now. How much self-denial are we willing to practise. SpTB04 21.1