John Charles Ryle was the first bishop of Liverpool, Church of England, a position which he assumed at the age of 64. He was said to be a man with commanding presence and vigorous in canvassing what he believed in, yet without being harsh. He built forty two churches in his Diocese and established fifty new mission halls. He was also a firm believer in the welfare of the clergy, advocating the need to raise their salaries ahead of building fund for a cathedral. On February 1, 1900 he wrote his farewell message to the ministers of the Liverpool Diocese. The message in part reads: “Beware of divisions. One thing the children of the world can always understand if they do not understand doctrine; that thing is angry quarrelling and controversy. Be at peace among yourselves.’’ It was just four months after this, precisely on June 10, that he passed to eternity. So his message wasn’t just a farewell message to Liverpool Diocese, but to the Christian world at large.

“The world cannot be won by our rhetoric. Our miracles may be nothing more than side attractions. What will captivate the world is love and oneness, the type that is alien to their community. “

This reminds us of Christ’s own farewell message. He had earlier told the disciples that He gave them a new commandment to love one another. As can be seen in our text, He took the same matter of love and unity to the Father in His last priestly supplication. He desired that believers will experience oneness, the same that exists within the Trinity. This remains a clarion call till today. The world cannot be won by our rhetoric. Our miracles may be nothing more than side attractions. What will captivate the world is love and oneness, the type that is alien to their community. Let us therefore strive for the bond of unity among believers, for this is the seal of perfection.