h
a surrounding, the partisan of self will sometimes gnaw asunder the most
precious of bonds, poison whole broods of infant loves. Such real
schismatics go about, where not inventing evil, yet rejoicing in
iniquity; mishearing; misrepresenting; paralyzing affection; separating
hearts. Their chosen calling is that of the strife-maker, the child of
the dividing devil. They belong to the class of _the perfidious_, whom
Dante places in the lowest infernal gulf as their proper home. Many a
woman who now imagines herself standing well in morals and religion,
will find herself at last just such a child of the devil; and her misery
will be the hope of her redemption.

But it is not for her sake that I write these things: would such a woman
recognize her own likeness, were I to set it down as close as words
could draw it? I am rather as one groping after some light on the true
behaviour toward her kind. Are we to treat persons known for liars and
strife-makers as the children of the devil or not? Are we to turn away
from them, and refuse to acknowledge them, rousing an ignorant strife of
tongues concerning our conduct? Are we guilty of connivance, when silent
as to the ambush whence we know the wicked arrow privily shot? Are we to
call the traitor to account? or are we to give warning of any sort? I
have no answer. Each must carry the question that perplexes to the Light
of the World. To what purpose is the spirit of God promised to them that
ask it, if not to help them order their way aright?

One thing is plain--that we must love the strife-maker; another is
nearly as plain--that, if we do not love him, we must leave him alone;
for without love there can be no peace-making, and words will but
occasion more strife. To be kind neither hurts nor compromises. Kindness
has many phases, and the fitting form of it may avoid offence, and must
avoid untruth.

We must not fear what man can do to us, but commit our way to the Father
of the Family. We must be nowise anxious to defend ourselves; and if not
ourselves because God is our defence, then why our friends? is he not
their defence as much as ours? Commit thy friend's cause also to him who
judgeth righteously. Be ready to bear testimony for thy friend, as thou
wouldst to receive the blow struck at him; but do not plunge into a nest
of scorpions to rescue his handkerchief. Be true to him thyself, nor
spare to show thou lovest and honourest him; but defence may dishonour:
men may s