"And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rehab coming to meet him. And he saluted him and said, 'Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart?' And Jehonadab answered, 'It is." 'If it be, give me thine hand.'" (2 Kings 10:15)
“But although a difference of opinions…may prevent an entire external union, yet need it prevent our union in affection? Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God (that includes everybody) may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences. These remaining as they are, they may forward one another in love and in good works.”
“Every wise man (person), therefore, will allow others the same liberty of thinking which he desires they should allow him; and will no more insist on their embracing his opinions, than he would have them to insist on his embracing theirs. He bears with those who differ from him, and only asks him with whom he desires to unite in love that single question, “Is thy heart right, as my heart is with thy heart?”
“I do not mean ‘be of my opinion.’ You need not: I do not expect it or desire it. Neither do I mean, ‘I will be of your opinion.”….Keep you your opinion; I mine; and that as steadily as ever. You need not endeavor to come over to me, or bring me over to you….Let all opinions alone on one side and the other: only ‘give me thine hand.’
“…love me: and not only as thou lovest all mankind; not only as thou lovest thine enemies,…. I am not satisfied with this,—no; ‘if thine heart be right, as mine with thy heart,’ then love me with a very tender affection, as a friend that is closer than a brother…Love me as a companion…”
