"On all hands we hear cries for unity in this and unity in that; but to our mind the main need of this age is not compromise but conscientiousness. 'First pure, then peaceable' (James 3:17). It is easy to cry 'A confederacy', but that union which is not based on the truth of God is rather a conspiracy than a communion. Charity by all means; but honesty also. Love, of course, but love to God as well as love to men, and love of truth as well as love of union. It is exceedingly difficult in these times to preserve one's fidelity before God and one's faternity among men. Should not the former be preferred to the latter if both cannot be maintained? We think so." C. H. Spurgeon, The Sword and Trowel (April, 1887), page 196.