it, and see it is square; if you are
happy in your view, keep it, and I keep mine; one day we shall both
see the truth. I say this, because we often are inclined to find
fault with those who do not think as we do, 'who do not follow
_us_.' Why trouble others and disturb their minds on matters which
we see only dimly ourselves? At the same time I own to repugnance
to the general conversation of the world and of some religious
people; there is a sort of 'I am holier than thou' in their words
which I do not like, therefore I prefer those subjects where such
discussions do not enter."

"Join no sect, though there may be truth in all. Be of the true
army of Christ, wear His uniform, _Love_: 'By this, and by no other
sign, shall men know that ye are My disciples.'"

If we may judge of a man by his friends and his books, few can surpass
General Gordon in catholicity. He used to say that he learned certain
truths from certain individuals. Thus, from the writings of an eminent
Plymouth Brother, C. H. Mackintosh, he learnt the doctrine of the two
natures within himself, and from a Mr. Jukes he learnt the lesson of
the crucifixion of the flesh. "Mr. Mylne," he used to say, "taught me
the importance of intercessory prayer, and Colonel Travers taught me
the importance of bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit." He valued
also Bishop Pearson's work on the Creed, and the standard work on the
Thirty-nine Articles by the lately-retired Bishop of Winchester. "The
Imitation of Christ," by Thomas a Kempis, was a favourite book, and one
which he gave away largely. "Christ's Mystical," by Hall, and "The Deep
Things of God," by Hill, were also much valued, and given away to his
friends, as well as Clark's "Scripture Promises," and Wilson on
"Contentment." He was an admirer of the eminent preacher Charles H.
Spurgeon, about whom he says:--

"I found six or seven sermons of Spurgeon in the hotel, and read
them. I like him; he is very earnest; he says: 'I believe that not
a worm is picked up by a bird without direct intervention of God,
yet I believe entirely in man's free will; but I cannot and do not
pretend to reconcile the two.' He says he reads the paper to see
what God is doing and what are His designs. I confess I have now
much the same feeling; nothing shocks me but myself."

He was personally very fond of the late Bishop of Lincoln, Dr.
Christopher Wordswor