Nor this only; but what must be the effect of going in for any one particular line of truth, or character of ministry? What but to produce an imperfect christian character? We are all sadly prone to onesidedness, and nothing more ministers to this evil than an inordinate attachment to some one particular branch of truth, to the exclusion of other branches equally important. It is by "_the truth_" we are sanctified--by all, not by _some_ truth. We should delight in every department of truth, and give a cordial welcome to each vessel or instrument which our God may be pleased to use in ministering His truth to our souls. To be puffed up for one against another is to be more occupied with the vessel than with the truth which the vessel contains, more occupied with man than with God--a grievous mistake! "Who then is Paul, or who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as _the Lord gave to every man_?" Here lies the grand principle. God has various instruments for His work, and we should value them all as _His_ instruments, and nothing more. It has ever been Satan's object to lead the Lord's people to set up heads of schools, leaders of parties, centres of cliques, thus splitting up the Church of God into sects, and destroying its visible unity. Let us not be ignorant of his devices; but in every possible way "_endeavor_ to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace." How is this great object to be attained? By keeping near the Centre--by abiding in Christ--by habitual occupation with Himself--by drinking deeply into His spirit, and walking in His footsteps--by lying at His feet, in true brokenness of spirit and humility of mind--by thorough consecration to His service, the furtherance of His cause, the promotion of His glory, the prosperity and blessing of every beloved member of His body. Thus shall we be delivered from strife and contention, from the discussion of profitless questions and baseless theories, from partiality, prejudice, and predilection. We shall be able to see and appreciate all the varied lines of truth converging upon the one divine Centre, the varied rays of light emanating from the one eternal Source. We shall rejoice in the great fact that, in all the ways and works of God, in every department of nature and grace, in things on earth and things in heaven, in time and eternity, it is not a dull uniformity but a delightful variety. In a word, God's universal and eternal principle is "DIVERSITY AND UNITY." LIVING BY FAITH