All Your Danger Is in Discord…

There are these lines from Longfellow:

“All your strength is in your union..

All your danger is in discord.

Therefore be at peace henceforward,

And as brothers live together.”¹

And he might have added—as husbands and wives live together, as parents, children, as business partners; as neighbors and nations live together. “All your strength is in your union. All your danger is in discord…”

The strength and the happiness of life is in harmony at home, at work, in the world⎯ and the danger of discord could hardly be over-emphasized. Discord is among the greatest tools of the Devil⎯quarreling, contention, friction in families, husbands, wives, parents, children, neighbors, nations quarreling and contending with each other, forgetting that a little friction can go a long way⎯ and “can trigger chain reactions,” and “shake the whole delicate balance” at home or work, or in the whole wide world. “Friction does not have to be screechy,… to be dangerous and evil.”²

Small frictions grow to large ones, and happiness leaves the home, the heart, and the hope and joy of life are less. More and more we need to know that families, neighbors, men and nations can destroy each other by quarreling and controversy.

A sense of belonging, a secure place in the family circle, is forever among life’s most priceless possessions. “…if ye are not one ye are not mine,” said our Savior.

God grant that husbands, wives, children, parents, partners, fellow workers, men of all faiths, indeed that all mankind may turn hearts toward each other⎯and also that a man should mot quarrel with himself inside, but keep the commandments and have a quiet conscience. “All your strength is in your union. All your danger is in discord.”