We have one Lord, one faith, one baptism, but various opinions.

All these persons, of so many and contradictory opinions, weekly meet around our Lord's table in hundreds of churches all over the land.

Our bond of union is faith in the slain Messiah, in his death for our sins and his resurrection for our justification." It is perfectly apparent that to harmonize these elements--often opposite and conflicting--thus brought together in one body was no easy task, but we had more than this to do; we were also to harmonize the fierce antagonisms growing out of our early contests, and then to make those brethren who had been heretofore averse to any combination whatever for religious work other than that of the single congregation--to make them feel the absolute necessity of united action and cooperation.

This was indeed a task most difficult.

And if the final good results have only slowly become apparent we are entitled to the judgment of charity.
It is admitted that every liberty that God has given to men may be abused, and has been abused.