Verse 1
Why were they left to disagree?
Not to incourage sin,
Or prove th’ impossibility
Of constant peace within;
Not to confirm the daring lie
’Gainst Christ the Finisher,
Or countenance the men who cry
“There’s no perfection here.”

Verse 2
The fault, if fault indeed there was,
In one Apostle stood,
Eagerly partial in the cause
Of his own flesh and blood:
And God to teach us watchfulness,
Let the sharp contest rise,
That we may pray, and never cease
Till harbour’d in the skies.

Verse 3
Saviour, by thy permissive will
The fellow-labourers part,
The gracious counsels to fulfil
Of thy most loving heart:
They part, t’ advance the work Divine,
To spread thy victory,
And by the separation join
Ten thousand more to Thee.