If, indeed, all mankind were equally in love with truth, we might have only to propose a change for the better, and all would embrace it. But just the reverse of this is the true history of society. The more clearly and forcibly an unpopular truth is argued, the greater will be the dislike to it by all who are interested in representing it to be error.
     Pride, ambition, and selfishness are all powerful allies of error. The pride of the understanding is the most invincible of all sorts of pride, especially when religion is the problem. And as long as there are conflicting creeds, sects, and divisions among religionists, so long will it be our duty to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
     Never was there so much need to study as in the defense of the truth. We must conciliate the passions, while we besiege the understanding. We are not to suppose all our opponents to be knaves and impostors to be disinterested and obstinate. We must remember that in this world of weakness and error, the good and virtuous are often enlisted under the banners of error. There are honest differences of opinion, and men equally sincere on both sides of many questions.
     Friendly and persuasive were the words and arguments of the prophets, apostles and our Savior to these who appeared honest in their convictions, but severe and tart were their reproofs to such as appeared obstinate in error. Courtesy and kindness will be our best guides, and a good example will often achieve more than a thousand arguments.—Alexander Campbell (1830)