Agreeable in Disagreement

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 5, 1911

Agreeable in Disagreement

It seems practically impossible always to agree with our fellows. Men are constituted differently; they view questions from different standpoints, hence there are times in their experience when they will differ from those around them. They can, however, at least be agreeable in the disagreement. Speaking of religious controversy, the Northwestern Christian Advocate of August 16, says:—

It is of no sort of use for a man in these days to think himself infallible simply because he is talking religiously. Still less is it of any use for him to think that because he talks vociferously, he must therefore be talking commandingly or convincingly. In religious controversy the first requirement is self-control, the second is self-control, and the third is self-control. The controversialist who sets the graces of humility, charity, reverence, and forbearance aside can never commend the religion in which these graces root themselves. And the true end of controversy is persuasion, not persecution.