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1. If our Christianity is genuine it must bear its own witness in the happy accord of our Churches, in the fraternal attitude of the various branches of the Church of Christ, and in the mutual love and helpfulness of believers.

2. Unity is not only essential to the Church's vindication, but to her progress as well. The folly of the corps of a great army wasting their energies and opportunities in contentions over the merits of the various military codes and manuals of arms would justly excite contempt. A spectacle more pitiable still is that of rival denominations of Christians pausing in the great battle with sin and Satan to contend one with another over non-essential forms and dogmas. The multiplied variances and rivalries of sects are sources of bewilderment to the heathen, and stumbling-blocks in paths of missionary effort.

3. Again, unity is necessary to the development and growth in grace of the individual believer. Grace is an exotic that blooms only in an atmosphere of peace. The frosts of envy and the fires of contention blight and consume it. A Christian at enmity with his neighbour cannot discharge his duty to mankind.

4. Our estimate of the value and bliss of unity will be enhanced by attention to those intimations the Scriptures afford us concerning the life of the redeemed in heaven. There shall be the consummation of the Church's unity.

(S. G. Nelson.)

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KJV: {A Song of degrees of David.} Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

WEB: See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!