When our brethren in Scandinavia faced
a financial crisis, the testimony was given that we must not
permit our brethren to stand as bankrupt before the world. That
would have been dishonoring to God. And the prompt and liberal
action of our American brethren was an acknowledgment that the
difference in nationality could not release them from their duty
to assist one another in the work of God. "All ye are brethren."
Matthew 23:8. We are one in the unity of the truth.
We must now, by diligent, self-sacrificing
effort, endeavor to walk in the love of Christ, in the unity
of the Spirit, through sanctification of the truth. No halfway
work will suffice to fulfill the representation given in the
prayer of Christ. We are to practice the principles of heaven
here below. In heaven there is one grand meeting place.
I must write plainly regarding the building
up of partition walls in the work
of God. Such an action has been revealed to me as a fallacy of
human invention. It is not the Lord's plan for His people to
separate themselves into separate companies, because of differences
in nationality and language. Did they do this, their ideas would
become narrow, and their influence would be greatly lessened.
God calls for a harmonious blending of a variety of talents.
I again repeat the words of Christ. I would
impress them deeply upon your minds. "Neither pray I for
these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through
their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in
Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the
world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which
Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even
as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made
perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent
Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me."
Christ has hedged in His people from the
world, but those who would build up national separation, would
do a work for which the Lord Jesus Christ has given no encouragement.
Brethren, unify; draw close together, laying
aside every human invention and following closely in the footsteps
of Jesus, your great Example.