subject of toleration in religion. The apostle John said to Him, " Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and he followeth not us : and we forbad him, because he followeth not us." The man was doing a good work without doubt. He was warring on the same side as the apostles, beyond question. But this did not satisfy John. He did not work in the company of the apostles. He did not fight in line with them. And therefore John had forbidden him. — But let us hear now what the great Head of the church decides ! " Jesus said, Forbid him not ; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me. For lie that is not against us, is on our part/'
Here is a golden rule indeed, and one that human nature sorely needs, and has too often forgotten. Men of all branches of Christ's Church are apt to think that no good can be done in the world, unless it is done by their own party and denomination. They are so narrow- minded, that they cannot conceive the possibility of working on any other pattern but that which they fol- low. They make an idol of their own peculiar ecclesi- astical machinery, and can see no merit in any other. They are like him who cried when Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp, "My Lord Moses forbid them." (Num. xi. 28.)
To this intolerant spirit we owe some of the blackest pages of Church history. Christians have repeatedly persecuted Christians for no better reason than that which is here given by John. They have practically proclaimed to their brethren, "you shall either follow us, or not work for Christ at all."