By Sylvester Hassell

The Gospel Messenger–June 1896

This phrase is a good name for the horrible practice against which the Apostle Paul warns us when he says:

“But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”. {Ga 5:2}

The truth should be earnestly maintained, but maintained in love-in love for the brethren as well as in the love of the truth itself. “Loyalty to truth cannot produce so hellish a thing as hatred towards a redeemed brother.”

We should not unchristianize or non-fellowship a brother who believes essentially as we do, but who uses a different form of words from ourselves in expressing his belief. We should, if possible, meet the brother in person and discuss such differences in brotherly love, and then most probably the differences would disappear, and the two parties would be more closely united than ever. All the members of the body of Christ need all the other members; there should be no schism or mutual devouring in that body. Christ prayed that all His people might be one, as He and the Father are one; {Joh 17:20-21} and all that are animated by the Spirit of Christ will earnestly desire and pray and labor for the same loving and indissoluble union of all who believe in Christ.