October 28

The unity of the spirit. — EPH. iv. 3.

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 xvii. 20, 21.

THE eye of the Saviour runs forward through time to the end of the world. It embraces all the Christians of all the ages in a single glance. What a foresight!

He prays for their unity. It is to be like the oneness of the Father and the Son. Christians should be united in love, in purpose, and in endeavor. God in redemption is the centre of Christian unity, "one in us." "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself." Christians come to unity as they become more and more absorbed in entreating men, "Be ye reconciled to God." Christian missions are the path to Christian union. Differences otherwise magnified vanish before pagans in foreign lands or in the presence of degraded classes within Christendom. It must be so if the world is to believe that God in infinite love sent his Son for its salvation.

It is within my power to fulfil in a measure the prayer of my dying Saviour. I can abolish all spirit of party or sect in myself. I can make myself one with all Christians of whatever name or nation. Let me not fail to offer to Christ that desire of his heart.

P. F. Leavens.

Bind thy people, Lord, in union,

With the sevenfold cord of love;

Breathe a spirit of communion

With the glorious hosts above,

Let thy work be seen progressing;

Bow each heart and bend each knee,

Till the world, thy truth possessing,

Celebrates its jubilee.

AVELING.