The unity of Church is but

The unity of Church is but

The saints in oneness living;

The Spirit which indwelleth them

This oneness ever giving.

Thus it is realized and called

The unity of Spirit;

’Tis based upon the common faith

Which all the saints inherit.

This precious faith of all the saints

Is constituted solely

Of Christ and His redemptive work

Which are unique and holy.

In this the saints are truly one

Together all agreeing

And it is from this common faith

The Church came into being.

The Church within the universe

Is one as Christ’s possession;

The Church must therefore locally

Be one in her expression;

For all her elements are one—

One God

one Lord

one Spirit

One faith

baptism

Body too

One hope all saints inherit.

This oneness is the Church’s ground

The ground of common standing

The only ground of unity

The Spirit is demanding.

The Church in actual practise thus

May keep her vital union

And her expressions locally

Be built up in communion.

Lord

help us ever strive to keep

This unity by taking

The Church’s ground of unity

The Body-life partaking

That all Thy heart’s profound desire

May fully be effected

And God’s eternal purpose may

Completely be perfected.