Christian Unity (the book) - The Maranatha Community

wounds his own self-love in the little scheme he had set up asperfection.’ 109Groves was unusual in his day in his consistent commitment to the principle ofunhindered and open fellowship with all true Christians. Robert B Dann writesin his biography of Groves:‘There was one quality that made Groves almost unique in his generation.It was his habit of seeking fellowship with Christians from backgroundsquite different to his own. His ecumenical spirit, and his freedom fromobligation to any particular missionary agency or denomination, meantthat he was open to influences from every direction, without beingrequired to toe any party line.’ 110For his day (and perhaps for ours, too) Groves had a revolutionary view ofChristian unity. He saw our life on earth as a preparation for our life in heaven.Groves wrote in 1834:‘Does it not appear clear that the nearer the principles of the communionof the church on earth assimilate (ie become similar to) those which mustfinally prevail in the kingdom of heaven, the more perfect they must be?’Dann writes:‘Here is the key, Groves thought, to Christian unity. Unity in heaven willnot be a result of intellectual agreement on matters of doctrine or churchpractice; it will be a unity of love embracing all who belong to Christ. Andif this is the basis of unity in heaven, should it not be the basis of unity onearth?’ 111Dann goes on to quote Groves:109Lang, G H, Anthony Norris Groves, saint and pioneer, Thynne and Co, London 1939, p145-146.110Dann, Robert B, Father of Faith Missions, the life and times of Anthony Norris Groves,Authentic Media, 2004, p 451.111Dann, Robert B, Father of Faith Missions, the life and times of Anthony Norris Groves,Authentic Media, 2004, pp 269-270.Page 137