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140 "The wisdom of knowing and loving God," returned the Doctor, "and of exercising charity towards our neighbour, which is indeed true wisdom, and thus prove whether the doctrines that have been taught in childhood are true or false."

"The most common topics of dispute and of variance on religion are chiefly on the subject of Faith!" observed Philimore.

"Alas! because the flame which gave light to truth is withdrawn, obscurity is introduced, which would never have been the case had good, that is Charity, preserved the pre-eminence; if Faith had not assumed the priority, the evil of contention would have had no foundation for existence—opinions could not have differed, and the Church would have been one."

"How lamentable," returned Philimore, "that, in reading the Word of God, such misconceptions and perversions of its sacred contents should take place!"

"Were the eye single, my dear Philimore, and the heart deeply impressed with the conviction, that, in studying the Divine Volume, we are opening a communication with Heaven; did no preconceived opinions or warmth of party zeal predominate over the mind in its researches,