A Compelling Preoccupation

A survey of the published writings of Ellen White reveals that she used the word “unity” 1,666 times and the word “union” 2,269 times. The subject of Christian unity was, for her, a compelling preoccupation and a continuing concern throughout her entire ministry. ^{13For a typical sampling of EGW sentiments, see The Upward Look, 369, 149, 141, 300, 153, 271, 71, 68, 104, and 76.}GVEGW 133.8

She dwelt frequently upon the unity between the Father and the Son of God in heaven, ^{14The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1148; The Ministry of Healing, 421, 4Testimonies for the Church 8:269.} repeatedly holding it up as an ideal for Christians to follow upon the earth. ^{15Testimonies for the Church 6:236.} She spoke often of the need for unity between Christ and His followers, ^{16The Desire of Ages, 675, 676; The Ministry of Healing, 4Testimonies for the Church 8:269, 239-243.} and referred to Christ’s prayer for unity in the church in the seventeenth chapter of John’s Gospel at least 50 times. ^{17E.g., see Testimonies for the Church 5:279.} She stated that that prayer (the longest recorded of Christ in Scripture) should be the creed of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. ^{18Lift Him Up, 296.}GVEGW 134.1

Specifically, Mrs. White saw the need of Christian unity:GVEGW 134.2

• Among Seventh-day Adventist church members ^{19Testimonies for the Church 3:429, 434-459; Testimonies for the Church 5:477-490; Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 56.} of varied dispositions ^{20Testimonies for the Church 8:242, 243.} and different nationalities. ^{21Testimonies for the Church 9:180, 181, 197, 198.}GVEGW 134.3

• Between various Seventh-day Adventist church congregations. ^{22Testimonies for the Church 9:33.}GVEGW 134.4

• Among ministers and various gospel workers. ^{23Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 302, 30Testimonies for the Church 6:50; Testimonies for the Church 7:38; Testimonies for the Church 9:145, 193, 259.}GVEGW 134.5

• Among physicians, ^{24Medical Ministry, 48, 49.} and between physicians and ministers. ^{25Medical Ministry, 46, 47; Testimonies for the Church 7:111.}GVEGW 134.6

• Between medical missionaries and gospel ministers, ^{26Testimonies for the Church 8:46, 166, 167, 239-24Selected Messages 1:199.} and other Seventh-day Adventist church workers. ^{27Testimonies for the Church 6:235-242, 288-293; Testimonies for the Church 8:161, 162.}GVEGW 134.7

• Among denominational institutional workers generally, ^{28Testimonies for the Church 5:553.} and especially between sanitarium workers and school workers. ^{29Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 522.}GVEGW 134.8

• Between the church’s several publishing houses, ^{30Testimonies for the Church 7:171.} and among the writers for Seventh-day Adventist publications. ^{31Testimonies for the Church 7:156.}GVEGW 134.9

• Indeed, between all departments in God’s cause. ^{32Testimonies for the Church 6:235-242; Testimonies for the Church 7:131; Testimonies for the Church 8:166; Testimonies for the Church 9:136; Evangelism, 104; Medical Ministry, 241.}GVEGW 134.10

• Last but certainly not least, in the Seventh-day Adventist home circle. ^{33The Adventist Home, 37, 178, 310; Testimonies for the Church 2:698-700.}GVEGW 134.11

That Mrs. White should dwell so largely upon this subject is not surprising, given the substantial emphasis in Scripture itself.GVEGW 134.12

In Psalm 133, for example, David extols unity with a metaphor that probably falls strangely upon the modern ear: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”GVEGW 134.13

Early in the New Testament, in the fourth chapter of Paul’s Epistle to the Christians at Ephesus, the apostle urged them to endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (verse 3): “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect [literally, “full-grown”] man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (verses 13-15).GVEGW 134.14