Union and Organization
NP
1901
This manuscript is extracted from various published sources.
As we near the close of time, Satan comes down with great power, knowing that his time is short. Especially will his power be exercised upon the remnant. He will war against them and seek to divide and scatter them, that they may grow weak and be overthrown. The people of God should move understandingly and should be united in their efforts. They should be of the same mind, of the same judgment; then their efforts will not be scattered, but will tell forcibly in the upbuilding of the cause of present truth. Order must be observed, and there must be union in maintaining order, or Satan will take the advantage.—Testimonies for the Church 1:210 (Dec. 23, 1860). 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 1
If all who have an influence felt the necessity of co-operation, and would seek to answer the prayer of Christ, that they may be one as He is one with the Father, the cause of present truth would be a power. ... But the people of God are asleep and do not see the wants of the Cause for this time. They do not feel the importance of concentrated action. Satan is ever seeking to divide the faith and hearts of God’s people. He well knows that union is their strength and division their weakness. It is important and essential that all of Christ’s followers understand Satan’s devices, and with a united effort meet his attacks and vanquish him. They need to make continual efforts to press together, even if it be at some sacrifice to themselves. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 2
The people of God, with various temperaments and organizations, are brought together in church capacity. The truth of God, received into the heart, will do its work of refining, elevating, and sanctifying the life, and overcoming the peculiar views and prejudices of each. All should labor to come as near to one another as possible. All who love God and keep His commandments in truth will have an influence with unbelievers and will win souls to Christ, to swell the glad songs of triumph and victory before the great throne. Selfishness will be overcome, and overflowing love for Christ will be manifested in the burden they feel to save souls for whom He died.—Testimonies for the Church 3:434, 435. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 3
I was pointed back to the children of Israel. Very soon after leaving Egypt, they were organized and most thoroughly disciplined. God had in His special providence qualified Moses to stand at the head of the armies of Israel. He had been a mighty warrior to lead the armies of the Egyptians, and in generalship he could not be surpassed by any man.—Testimonies for the Church 1:650. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 4
Christ is leading out a people and bringing them into the unity of the faith that they may be one as He is one with the Father. Differences of opinion must be yielded, that all may come into union with the body, that they may have one mind and one judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10): “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (Romans 15:5, 6): “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus; that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 2:2): “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:324. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 5
Heaven and holy angels are working to unite, to bring into the unity of the faith, into the one body. Satan opposes this and is determined to scatter and divide and bring different sentiments, that the prayer of Christ may not be answered: “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.” John 17:20, 21. Jesus designed that the faith of His people should be one. If one goes forth preaching one thing, and another differing with him preaches something else, how can those who believe “through their word” be one? There will be difference of sentiments.—Testimonies for the Church 1:326, 327. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 6
Angels work harmoniously. Perfect order characterizes all their movements. The more closely we imitate the harmony and order of the angelic host, the more successful will be the efforts of these heavenly agents in our behalf. If we see no necessity for harmonious action, and are disorderly, undisciplined, and disorganized in our course of action, angels, who are thoroughly organized and move in perfect harmony, cannot work for us successfully. ... Those who have the unction from on high will in all their efforts encourage order, discipline, and union of action, and then the angels of God can co-operate with them. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 7
Satan well knows that success can only attend order and harmonious action. He well knows that everything connected [with] heaven is in perfect order, that subjection and thorough discipline mark movements of the angelic host. It is his studied effort to lead professed Christians just as far from Heaven’s arrangement as he can; therefore he deceived even the professed people of God, and makes them believe that order and discipline are enemies to spirituality; that the only safety for them is to let each pursue his own course and to remain especially distinct from bodies of Christians who are united, and are laboring to establish discipline and harmony of action. ... I was shown that it is Satan’s special work to lead men to feel that it is God’s order for them to strike out for themselves and choose their own course, independent of their brethren.—Testimonies for the Church 1:649, 650. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 8
God is leading a people out from the world upon the exalted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. He will discipline and fit up His people. They will not be at variance, one believing one thing and another having faith and views entirely opposite, each moving independently of the body. Through the diversity of the gifts and governments that He has placed in the church, they will all come to the unity of the faith. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 9
God is leading out a people and establishing them upon the one great platform of faith, the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. He has given His people a straight chain of Bible truth, clear and connected. This truth is of heavenly origin and has been searched for as for hidden treasure. It has been dug out through careful searching of the Scriptures and through much prayer.—Testimonies for the Church 3:446, 447. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 10
As all the different members of the human system unite to form the entire body, and each performs its office in obedience to the intelligence that governs the whole, so the members of the church of Christ should be united in one symmetrical body, subject to the sanctified intelligence of the whole.—Testimonies for the Church 4:16. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 11
God is leading out a people to stand in perfect unity upon the platform of eternal truth.—Testimonies for the Church 4:17. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 12
If the world sees a perfect harmony existing in the church of God, it will be a powerful evidence to them in favor of the Christian religion. ... Christ saw that unity and Christian fellowship were necessary to the cause of God, therefore He enjoined it upon His disciples. And the history of Christianity from that time until now, proves conclusively that in union only there is strength. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 13
The apostles felt the necessity of strict unity, and they labored earnestly to this end. Paul exhorted his brethren in these words: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” [1 Corinthians 1:10.]—Testimonies for the Church 4:19. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 14
A machine may be perfect in all its parts, and yet there be much friction and wear in its movements; but apply oil, and it performs its work quietly and well. So with us. It is necessary to have the oil of grace in our hearts, in order to prevent the friction that may arise between us.—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh Day Adventist, 119. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 15
The third angel’s message is not a narrow message. It is worldwide; and we should be united, as far as possible, in the manner of presenting it to the world. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 16
Man is fallible; but the message is infallible. With it all should be in harmony; it is the center of interest, in which all hearts should be united. ... The message is to prepare a people to stand in the last great day and to be united in Heaven above. None should feel that it is of no special importance whether they are in union with their brethren or not; for those who do not learn to live in harmony here, will never be united in heaven. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 17
The history of God’s work in the past shows that some have understanding of one thing, others of another. It is His plan that there should be a counseling together. In the multitude of counselors there is safety. There should be harmony in sentiment and action among the laborers. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 18
The truth is a unit, so powerful that our enemies cannot controvert it. Therefore they try to excite jealousies to create variance among brethren that they may be led to separate their affections from God and from one another. In unity there is strength. In Luther’s time it was considered a great misfortune when differences arose among the believers, because it strengthened the opposition of their enemies. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 19
Jesus is ready to do great things for us when we lay ourselves upon the altar, a living, consuming sacrifice. “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” [Isaiah 13:12.] How? through the Spirit of Christ. ... When we have His Spirit in our hearts, we shall be of one mind in Him. ... Our eyes will be fixed upon Jesus, and we shall learn from Him to dwell in love and harmony with one another here, and shall finally be permitted to dwell with Christ and angels and all the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh Day Adventist, 124, 126. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 20
(This is an address given by Sister E. G. White, Sept. 24, 1885, in Basel, Switzerland.) 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 21
“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 7:37; 4:14. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 22
If with these promises before us we choose to remain parched and withered for want of the water of life, it is our own fault. If we would come to Christ with the simplicity of a child coming to its earthly parents, and ask for the things that He has promised, believing that we receive them, we should have them. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 23
Since these meetings began, I have felt urged to dwell much upon love and faith. This is because you need this testimony. Some who have entered these missionary fields have said, “You do not understand the French people; you do not understand the Germans. They have to be met in just such a way.” But, I inquire, does not God understand them? Is it not He who gives His servants a message for the people? He knows just what they need; it will make all one in Christ. Though some are decidedly French, others decidedly German, and others decidedly American, they will be just as decidedly Christlike. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 24
The Jewish temple was built of hewn stones quarried out of the mountains; and every stone was fitted for its place in the temple, hewed, polished, and tested, before it was brought to Jerusalem. And when all were brought to the ground, the building went together without the sound of axe or hammer. This building represents God’s spiritual temple, which is composed of material gathered out of every nation, and tongue, and people, of all grades, high and low, rich and poor, learned and unlearned. These are not dead substances, to be fitted by hammer and chisel. They are living stones, quarried out from the world by the truth; and the great Master Builder, the Lord of the temple, is now hewing and polishing them, and fitting them for their respective places in the spiritual temple. When completed, this temple will be perfect in all its parts, the admiration of angels and men; for its builder and maker is God. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 25
Let no one think that there need not be a stroke placed upon him. There is no person, no nation, that is perfect in every habit and thought. One must learn of another. Therefore God wants the different nationalities to mingle together, to be one in judgment, one in purpose. Then the union that there is in Christ will be exemplified. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 26
I was almost afraid to come to this country, because I heard so many say that the different nationalities of Europe were peculiar and had to be reached in a certain way. But the wisdom of God is promised to those who feel their need and who ask for it. God can bring the people where they will receive the truth. Let the Lord take possession of the mind, and mold it as clay is molded in the hands of the potter, and these differences will not exist. Look to Jesus, brethren; copy His manners and spirit, and you will have no trouble in reaching these different classes. We have not six patterns to follow, nor five. We have only one, and that is Christ Jesus. If the Italian brethren, the French brethren, and the German brethren try to be like Him, they will plant their feet upon the same foundation of truth; the same Spirit that dwells in one will dwell in the other—Christ in them, the hope of glory. I warn you, brethren and sisters, not to build up a wall of partition between different nationalities. On the contrary, seek to break it down wherever it exists. We should endeavor to bring all into the harmony that there is in Jesus, laboring for the one object—the salvation of our fellow men. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 27
As workers together for God, brethren and sisters, lean heavily upon the arm of the Mighty One. Labor for unity, labor for love, and you may become a power in the world.—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh Day Adventist, 136-138. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 28
Many do not realize the sacredness of church relationship, and are loath to submit to restraint and discipline. Their course of action shows that they exalt their own judgment above that of the united church; and they are not careful to guard themselves lest they encourage a spirit of opposition to its voice. Those who hold responsible positions in the church may have faults in common with other people, and may err in their decisions; but notwithstanding this, the church of Christ on earth has given to them an authority that cannot be lightly esteemed. Christ, after His resurrection, delegated power unto His church, saying, “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” [John 20:23.] 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 29
Church relationship is not to be lightly canceled; yet when the path of some professed followers of Christ is crossed, or when their voice has not the controlling influence which they think it deserves, they will threaten to leave the church. True, in leaving the church they will themselves be the greatest sufferers; for in withdrawing beyond the pale of its influence, they subject themselves to the full temptations of the world. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 30
Every believer should be wholehearted in his attachment to the church. Its prosperity should be his first interest, and unless he feels under sacred obligations to make his connection with the church a benefit to it in preference to himself, it can do far better without him. It is in the power of all to do something for the cause of God. There are those who spend large amounts for needless luxuries; they gratify their appetites, but feel it a great tax to contribute means to sustain the church. They are willing to receive all the benefit of its privileges, but prefer to leave others to pay the bills. Those who really feel a deep interest in the advancement of the cause will not hesitate to invest money in the enterprise whenever and wherever it is needed. They should also feel it a solemn duty to illustrate in their characters the teachings of Christ, being at peace one with another, and moving in perfect harmony as an individual whole. They should defer their individual judgment to the judgment of the body of the church. Many live for themselves alone. They look upon their lives with great complacency, flattering themselves that they are blameless, when in fact they are doing nothing for God, and are living in direct opposition to His expressed word. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 31
Unbelief suggests that individual independence increases our importance, that it is weak to yield our own ideas of what is right and proper to the verdict of the church; but to yield to such feelings and views is unsafe, and will bring us into anarchy and confusion. Christ saw that unity and Christian fellowship were necessary to the cause of God, therefore He enjoined it upon His disciples. And the history of Christianity from that time till now proves conclusively that in union only there is strength. Let individual judgment submit to the authority of the church. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 32
The apostles felt the necessity of strict unity, and they labored earnestly to this end. Paul exhorted his brethren in these words, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” [1 Corinthians 1:10.] 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 33
He also wrote his Philippian brethren: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 2:1-5.] 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 34
To the Romans he wrote: “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus, that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” [Romans 15:5-7; 12:16.] 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 35
Peter wrote to the churches scattered abroad: “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous; not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” [1 Peter 3:8, 9.] 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 36
And Paul, in his Epistle to the Corinthians, says: “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” [2 Corinthians 13:11.]—Testimonies for the Church 4:17-20. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 37
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God has invested His church with special authority and power which no one can be justified in disregarding and despising; for in so doing he despises the voice of God.—Testimonies for the Church 3:417. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 38
The world’s Redeemer has invested great power with His church. He states the rules to be applied in cases of trial with its members. After He has given explicit directions as to the course to be pursued, He says, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever (in church discipline) ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [Matthew 18:18.] Thus even the heavenly authority ratifies the discipline of the church in regard to its members, when the Bible rule has been followed. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 39
The Word of God does not give license for one man to set up his judgment in opposition to the judgment of the church, neither is he allowed to urge his opinions against the opinions of the church. If there were no church discipline and government, the church would go to fragments; it could not hold together as a body. There have ever been individuals of independent minds, who have claimed that they were right, that God had especially taught, impressed, and led them. Each has a theory of his own, views peculiar to himself, and each claims that his views are in accordance with the will of God. Each has a different theory and faith, yet each claims special light from God. These draw away from the body, and each is a separate church in himself. All these could not be right, yet they all claim to be led of the Lord. The Word of inspiration is not yea and nay, but yea and amen in Christ Jesus. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 40
Our Saviour follows His lessons of instruction with a promise that if two or three should be united in asking anything of God it should be given them. Christ here shows that there must be union with others, even in our desires for a given object. Great importance is attached to the united prayer, the union of purpose. God hears the prayers of individuals; but on this occasion Jesus was giving especial and important lessons that were to have a special bearing upon His newly organized church on the earth. There must be an agreement in the things that they desire, and for which they pray. It is not merely the thoughts and exercises of one mind, liable to deception; but the petition was to be the earnest desire of several minds centered on the same point.—Testimonies for the Church 3:428, 429. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 41
The church of Christ is in constant peril. Satan is seeking to destroy the people of God, and one man’s mind, one man’s judgment, is not sufficient to be trusted. Christ would have His followers brought together in church capacity, observing order, having rules and disciplines, and all subject one to another, esteeming others better than themselves. Union and confidence are essential to the prosperity of the church. If each member of the church feels at liberty to move independently of the others, taking his own peculiar course, how can the church be in any safety in the hour of danger and peril? The prosperity and very existence of a church depend upon the prompt, united action and mutual confidence of its members. When, at a critical time, one sounds the alarm of danger, there is need of prompt and active work, without stopping to question and canvass the whole subject from end to end, thus letting the enemy gain every advantage by delay, when united action might have saved many souls from perdition.—Testimonies for the Church 3:445. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 42
God is leading out a people from the world upon the exalted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. He will discipline and fit up His people. They will not be at variance, one believing one thing and another having faith and views entirely opposite, each moving independently of the body. Through the diversity of the gifts and governments that He has placed in the church, they will all come to the unity of the faith. If one man takes his views of Bible truth without regard to the opinions of his brethren, and justifies his course, alleging that he has a right to his peculiar views, and then presses them upon others, how can he be fulfilling the prayer of Christ? And if another and still another arises, each asserting his right to believe and talk what he pleases without reference to the faith of the body, where will be that harmony which existed between Christ and His Father, and which Christ prayed might exist among His brethren? 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 43
God is leading out a people and establishing them upon the one great platform of faith, the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. He has given His people a straight chain of Bible truth, clear and connected. This truth is of heavenly origin and has been searched for as for hidden treasure. It has been dug out through careful searching of the Scriptures and through much prayer.—Testimonies for the Church 3:445-47. See Early Writings, “A Firm Platform.” 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 44
You must never, never seek to lift one pin, remove one landmark, that the Lord has given to His people as truth.—(Ms., December 18, 1898.) 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 45
The church is God’s delegated authority upon the earth. Christ has said, “Whatsoever ye bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever things ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [Verse 18.] There is altogether too little respect paid to the opinion of members of the same church. It is the want of deference for the opinions of the church that causes so much trouble among brethren. The eyes of the church may be able to discern in its individual members that which the erring may not see. A few persons may be blind as the one in error, but the majority of the church is a power which should control its individual members. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 46
Unless the advice and counsel of the church can be respected, it is indeed powerless. God has placed a voice in the church which must control its members.—Testimonies for the Church 5:107, 108. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 47
As we near the close of time, Satan comes down with great power, knowing that his time is short. Especially will his power be exercised upon the remnant. He will war against them and seek to divide and scatter them, that they may grow weak and be overthrown. The people of God should move understandingly and should be united in their efforts. They should be of the same mind, of the same judgment; then their efforts will not be scattered, but will tell forcibly in the upbuilding of the cause of present truth. Order must be observed, and there must be union in maintaining order or Satan will take the advantage.—Testimonies for the Church 1:210. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 48
If all who have an influence felt the necessity of co-operation, and would seek to answer the prayer of Christ, that they may be one as He is one with the Father, the cause of present truth would be a power. ... But the people of God are asleep and do not see the wants of the cause for this time. They do not feel the need of concentrated action. Satan is ever seeking to divide the faith and hearts of God’s people. He well knows that union is their strength and division their weakness. It is important and essential that all of Christ’s followers understand Satan’s devices and with a united front meet his attacks and vanquish him. They need to make continual efforts to press together, even if it be at some sacrifice to themselves.—Testimonies for the Church 3:434, 435. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 49
Satan well knows that success can only attend order and harmonious action. He well knows that everything connected with heaven is in perfect order, that subjection and thorough discipline mark movements of the angelic host. It is his studied effort to lead professed Christians just as far from heaven’s arrangement as he can; therefore, he deceives even the professed people of God and makes them believe that order and discipline are enemies to spirituality; and the only safety for them is to let each pursue his own course and to remain especially distinct from bodies of Christians who are united and are laboring to establish discipline and harmony of action. ... I was shown that it is Satan’s especial work to lead men to feel that it is God’s order for themselves and choose their own course, independent of their brethren.—Testimonies for the Church 1:649, 650. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 50
Heaven and holy angels are working to unite, to bring into the unity of the faith, into the same body.—Testimonies for the Church 1:326. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 51
Angels work harmoniously. Perfect order characterizes all their movements. The more closely we imitate the harmony of the angelic host, the more successful will be the efforts of these heavenly agents in our behalf. If we see no necessity for harmonious action, and are disorderly, undisciplined, and disorganized in our course of action, angels, who are thoroughly organized and move in perfect harmony, cannot work for us as successfully. ... Those who have the unction from on high will in their efforts encourage order, discipline, and union of action, and then the angels of God can co-operate with them. ...—Testimonies for the Church 1:649, 650. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 52
Jesus designed that the faith of His people should be one. If one goes forth preaching one thing, and another differing with him preaches something else, how can those believing “through their word” be one? [John 17:20.] There will be difference of sentiments.—Testimonies for the Church 1:327. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 53
The history of God’s work in the past shows that some have an understanding of one thing, others of another. It is His plan that there should be a counseling together. In the multitude of counselors there is safety. There should be harmony in sentiment and action among the laborers. ... 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 54
The truth is a unit, so powerful that our enemies cannot controvert it. Therefore they try to excite jealousies, to create variance, among the brethren, that they may be led to separate their affections from God and from one another. In unity there is strength. In Luther’s time it was considered a great misfortune when differences arose among the believers, because it strengthened the opposition of their enemies.—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh Day Adventist, 125, 126. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 55
Christ is leading out a people and bringing them into the unity of the faith, that they may be one, as He is one with the Father. Differences of opinion must be yielded that all may come into union with the body, that they may have one mind and one judgment.—Testimonies for the Church 1:324. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 56
As all the different members of the human system unite to form the entire body, and each performs its office in obedience to the intelligence that governs the whole, so the members of the church of Christ should be united in one symmetrical body, subject to the sanctified intelligence of the whole.—Testimonies for the Church 4:16. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 57
It is necessary to have the oil of grace in our hearts, in order to prevent the friction that may arise between us.—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh Day Adventist, 119. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 58
None should feel that it is of no special importance whether they are in union with their brethren or not; for those who do not learn to live in harmony here will never be united in heaven.—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh Day Adventist, 124. 16LtMs, Ms 135, 1901, par. 59