If a fire gets out of control

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"If a fire gets out of control and goes into another person's field, destroying the sheaves or the standing grain—then the one who started the fire must surely make restitution for the lost crops." Exodus 22:6

The fire of strife is a terrible evil—when it breaks out in a Christian church. Where converts were multiplied, and God was glorified, jealousy and envy do the devil's work most effectually! Where the golden grain was being housed, the fire of enmitycomes in and leaves little else but smoke and a heap of blackness—a poor reward for the toil of the great Boaz!

Woe unto those by whom offences come. May they never come through us. Those who feed the fire, deserve just censure. But he who first kindles it—is most to blame. We shall certainly be the chief sufferers, if we are the chief offenders.

Discord usually takes first hold upon the thorns. It is nurtured among the hypocrites and false professors in the church, and away it goes among the righteous, blown by the winds of hell, and no one knows where it may end!

O Lord and giver of peace—make us peacemakers, and never let us aid and abet the men of strife, or even unintentionally cause the least division among Your people!