EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
35 
spirit of contention than we like. From time to time we 
have exercised oar editorial authority in withholding 
sentiments that were uncalled for, from their being of a 
personal nature. How often must it be stated that per¬ 
sonalities never strengthen a weak cause, while they detract 
from a good one, which needs them not. A modern 
essayist, writing on controversy, and denouncing the bitter¬ 
ness and hatred too often engendered by it, asks, *' f What 
right have we to confound things with persons? We may 
say the truth to things however hard it may be, but to 
persons we must be courteous.” With this we concur, 
remembering that the wise man saith, “ Only by pride 
cometh contention, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” 
We would that the cincture of friendship bound us all in 
one common whole, and that we were actuated by only one 
common motive, the advancement of our profession. Differ¬ 
ences of opinion ever will exist among us, but it should be 
borne in mind that while to each is freely given the liberty 
boldly to express himself,—it is, in fact, his inherent right,— 
a strong man can afford to yield up points of lesser moment 
in argument, and will not allow himself to be annoyed by 
mere quirks and quibbles. There is also a manly frankness 
in the discussion and ventilation of a subject which admits 
of mutual forbearance, tending to edification; the last- 
named being altogether lost, if the first does not obtain. The 
strongest are always the mildest, and were we more easily 
convinced we should prove more tractable, and receive the 
greater amount of good. It would be well also to remember 
that we have to do with men of like passions with ourselves, 
and as we mete out to others so will it be meted to us in 
return. We therefore should possess more charity, and a 
less desire to caricature and exaggerate opinions. For all to 
think alike, is neither possible nor desirable; since by well- 
directed controversy oftentimes truth is elicited and esta¬ 
blished, and this diversity of opinion becomes both a proof 
and a cause of progress. It may, perhaps, be hard really 
to love those who always oppose and contradict us, but 
surely it'is not a Christian spirit to return railing for railing. 
We should rather put a charitable construction upon the 
