"Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path."-Joel 2:8

Locusts always keep their rank, and although their number is legion,
they do not crowd upon each other, so as to throw their columns into
confusion. This remarkable fact in natural history shows how thoroughly the
a Lord has infused the spirit of order into His universe, since the
smallest animate creatures are as much controlled by it as are the rolling
spheres or the seraphic messengers. It would be wise for believers to
be ruled by the same influence in all their spiritual life. In their
Christian graces no one virtue should usurp the sphere of another, or eat
out the vitals of the rest for its own support. Affection must not
smother honesty, courage must not elbow weakness out of the field, modesty
must not jostle energy, and patience must not slaughter resolution. So
also with our duties, one must not interfere with another; public
usefulness must not injure private piety; church work must not push family
worship into a corner. It is ill to offer God one duty stained wi!
th the blood of another. Each thing is beautiful in its season, but
not otherwise. It was to the Pharisee that Jesus said, "This ought ye to
have done, and not to have left the other undone." The same rule
applies to our personal position, we must take care to know our place, take
it, and keep to it. We must minister as the Spirit has given us ability,
and not intrude upon our fellow servant's domain. Our Lord Jesus taught
us not to covet the high places, but to be willing to be the least
among the brethren. Far from us be an envious, ambitious spirit, let us
feel the force of the Master's command, and do as He bids us, keeping rank
with the rest of the host. To-night let us see whether we are keeping
the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, and let our prayer be
that, in all the churches of the Lord Jesus, peace and order may prevail.