LETTER XXIX.

“For better is a neighbour that is near, than a brother that is far off.”

To —

It is a good remark I have somewhere met with—that friendship is a plant of too delicate a nature to grow with any great degree of luxuriancy and fruitfulness in the soil of the human heart; but I ever wish to prize its buds, its blossoms, its fruit, its very leaves; but, above all, its divine root. We may find many profess much kindness in the warmth of prosperity; but these summer insects, like butterflies, disappear when the cold blasts of adversity and reproach strike off a few of our outward comforts. But while this is to be lamented, yet God has often raised up those who have been sincere in their professions of attachment to his people, in all ages, and who have firmly stood by them, and gave them all the assistance they were able, in the depth of their afflictions; nor have they been unrewarded, at least, many of them, even in this world—nor shall they be forgotten of the Lord in the last day.—_Matt._ xxv. and close.

Abraham had three faithful friends, Aner, Eschol, and Mamre. The Lord raised up a friend for Joseph in trouble, and for David in his deep affliction, and for the great apostle for whom he prays—that he, Onesiphorus, may find mercy in that day, for he hath oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain. Such friends are the gift of the Friend of Sinners, and such friendship is a part of conformity to his image; praying for one another in secret; reproving with meekness, but fidelity, when permitted to err; speaking well of each other, when absent, and helping each other in trouble, are the genuine fruits of divine love in the heart; and such I have found many: and, although opposed for their candour, affection, and liberality; yet, considering they had a just right to form an opinion of their own, so they had as much right to maintain the same. Narrow minds who form opinions by bare report, are easily biassed, and generally bigotted; of course, such mean souls must persecute all who differ from them. This is the case in the professing world, at present; and it is much to be lamented. However, I have made free to inform you of some of those who have acted in a Christ-like manner to me in trouble, and have too much good sense to view me either as a perfect angel, or an incarnate devil; and to you I send these gingling rhymes:—

REAL FRIENDSHIP. _From Achor Vale_.—1818.

ON the subject of friendship I beg leave to write, ’Tis the joy of my heart, and my daily delight; Though but little is found, that is true and sincere, I think, in my case, an exception is clear. The God of all grace, on whom I depend, Has blessed his servant, with many a friend, Who have not been afraid, or ever asham’d, To esteem and to own him in sorrow and pain. One half of the faithful and firm I’ve forgot, And many besides, whose names I know not; Yet _those_ who occur this moment to mind, My God will reward in their being so kind; And more so they’d be, if it laid in their pow’r, To soften my woes in this trying hour. May the love of the Lord, which _he_ bears to _his_ saints, Encourage their hearts, when ready to faint With the cares, and the burdens, and griefs of the way, And acknowledge them all in the last trying day. See this promise so sweetly and clearly reveal’d By the Head of the Church, in the great gospel field; Particularly in _Matthew_, the Saviour rehearses In 25th chapter, and some excellent verses. I must tell you of _Hairbys_, and _Elbro’s_ and _Park_, With a _Knawler_, a _Duke_, a _Smith_, and a _Clarke_; A _Fossett_, a _Grumuat_, and a kind-hearted _Trail_, Whose care and concern, like the Lord’s, never fail. Nor can I forget my friend, Mr. _Denny_, Who stood up for my good as undaunted as any. Our worthy clerk, _Shelton_, has oft stood the fire, When many in envy and rage did conspire. I feel much indebted to dear brother _Gray_, And all those beside, who preach and who pray; And fill up my place, that there might be no lack Of the gospel of grace, till God brings me back. With all those dear friends, who supply all my needs, Kind _Miller_, her mother, and two worthy _Meads_; An _Osborne_, a _Davis_, a _Harris_ and _Gower_, Who on me and on mine their gifts often pour; A _Harbro_, a _Sweetland_, and _Allen_, and _King_, Who sometimes send favours, and sometimes they bring; And many also, who have well stood the brunt, A _Pattison_, _Puddicombe_, _Hutchins_, and _Hunt_; Nor do I forget our friend _Hutchinson_, As well as kind _Kings_, some old and some young; And _Westbrook_, and _Knapp_, who have oft took my part, And _Williams_, a _Farley_, and _London_, and _Smart_; A _Boro_, a _Blake_, and dear father _Bevan_, With their partners in life, who are going to heaven; And _Goodmans_, and _Roberts_, some _Hills_, and a _Bell_, And _Thornton_, and _Mansion_, and _Edwards_, and _Dale_. I remember, likewise, a _Houghton_, and _Field_, With a firm _friend_ of their’s, who never would yield To the fabulous stuff, and ridiculous story, But remained as firm as the faithful _M. Morey_. The names of a _Jones_, and a _Chadsby_ are dear, And _Salter_, and _Lewis_, and _Frimbley_ sincere; A _Brook_, and a _Bradley_, a _Buhle_, and a _Wise_, A much-esteem’d _Farmer_, who ne’er has despis’d; A _Hedgecock_, and _Lamb_, who are both very kind, As such permanent friendship we seldom can find; And dear father _Elstub_, and _Shires_, and _Booth_, Who often endeavour my sorrows to soothe. I must mention some more, as they are so good, A _Ward_, and a _Whitear_, who undaunted have stood; A _Paynter_, a _Waters_, and _Carpenter_ too, With his _Brother_, and _Fuller_, and _Jennison_ true; More _Watkins_, and _Smiths_, who have well stood the fires, And old daddy _Foyer_, and two good _Marias_; A _Parnicutt_, and _Archer_, who have stood many rubbings, And _Barrett_, and _Steggall_, and _Shephard_, and _Stubbings_ An _Atkins_, a _Pollet_, and _Farrers_, and _Thorn_, And as faithful a _Watts_ as ever was born; A _Bayles_, _a Dennage_ a _Bates_, and a _Brown_, Who are grieved to see my sad casting down; A _Paton_, a _Chambers_, a _Juden_, and _Pytches_, An _Orchard_, and _Hunter_, who are seeking true riches; A _Joseph_, a _Jolliffe_, a _Druce_, and a _Manger_, A very kind _Mackie_, and _Perrins_, and _Granger_; And _Wilkins_, and _Eaton_, and _Faro_, and _North_, Who are lov’d by the Lord, and redeemed from wrath; With _Millingtons_, _Boltons_, and dear Mrs. _Round_, And the much belov’d _Hans_, whose care still abounds; The exercis’d _Robinson_, _Ward_, _Nelson_, and _Ford_, And _Marshal_ and _Lucas_, who’re trusting the Lord; With poor _Jenny Powell_, and _Martin_, and _Fishers_, And _Darby_, and _Wilson_, my very good wishers; And _Foster_, and _Court_, and _Davies_, and _Dee_, And _Mary_, her friend, and kind _Barbary_; And _Chapman_, and _Calow_, and _Davies_, and _Reeds_, And some very good _Lawsons_, who supply many needs; A dear friendly _Groom_, and _Napier_, and _Swindle_, A _Tomlins_, and _Marshal_, whose care does not dwindle; A much-esteem’d _Walton_, and _neice_, so sincere, And many besides, to my mind who are dear; A _Wright_, and a _Pearson_, and _Hepworth_, and _Mott_, Thus you see, my dear friends, I am not quite forgot; And _Leonard_, and _Wallace_, and _Masland_, and Pain, Who are praying, and waiting to hear me again; With _Freeman_, and _Wilkins_, and _Cornish_, and _Sherman_, Who love much to hear a real gospel sermon; And _Dibley_, and _Dudley_, and _Tungate_, and _Fleet_, And _Candler_, and _Knox_, whom I long much to meet; The very dear friends, whose names are call’d _Cross_, Whom God has sustained in every loss; And _Williams_, and _Eves_, whose hearts are kept single, And _Upstill_, and _Miles_, a _Cook_, and an _Ingle_; With a _March_, and a _Beat_, and exercis’d _Green_, Who often in sorrow and grief have me seen; And good Mrs. _Butcher_, and _Baker_, beside. Who have firmly stood for me, whatever betide; And _Fairfleet_, and _Tye_, and _Woodhouse_, and _Long_, And _Goodly_, his _brother_, and kind _Esther Young_; And _Claytons_, and _Jackson_, and _Lewis_, and _Rose_, And _Thornton_, and _Miland_, a _Burnham_, and _Hose_; And _Drewet_, and _Mars_, and _Reardon_, and _Aikin_, Who have seen me cast down, but never forsaken; And _Woodward_, and _Youngs_, and _Venning_, and _Horner_, Another friend _Brown_, and the tried Mrs. _Warner_; A _Winch_, and a _Hone_, a _Turner_, and _Pool_, The tried _Underdown_, who is in the same school; The sincere Mrs. _Grant_, and _Missen_, and _Leigman_, The Paddington _Friends_, and old mammy _Bridgman_; Good old Mrs. _Clark_, and _Thompson_, and _Cowen_, A very kind _Johnson_, and _Whitehead_, and _Owen_; The kind Mr. _Wilson_, and firm Mrs. _Baily_, And _Poulter_, and _Barns_, who esteem’d me sincerely; But ’tis time I conclude this gingling writing, Not forgetting dad _Round_, and the sweet-temper’d _Whiting_; With a hundred besides, whose names I’ve forgot, But in the last day will stand in their lot.

Do not you think, in a few years time, I shall be as apt a poet, as good old Bunyan?

Please to regularly regulate these irregular irregularities.

I cannot conclude this letter without reminding you of the apostolic exhortation—“As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, but especially to the household of faith;” and if to this household we sow sparingly, we shall reap sparingly; and if we sow bountifully, we shall reap bountifully; and on this subject of kindness to God’s children, _as such_, our dear Lord declares—“He that receiveth a prophet, in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man, in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man’s reward; and whosoever shall give unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall, in no wise, lose his reward.”—_Matthew_, x. 41, 42. And, very frequently, such are rewarded in this world, in temporal mercies, for the kindness they have shewn to the members of Christ. The widow of Sarepta, nourished the Prophet Elijah in her house, during the whole time of famine; and how did the Lord abundantly recompence her, by daily increasing her oil and meal, whereby her family was preserved; by restoring her son to life again, after his soul was departed; and by causing the prophet to continue with her many months, to feed her soul with spiritual, as she had his body with temporal food? How abundantly did the Lord recompence the Shunamite’s kindness to Elisha, by the gift of a child, after long barrenness; by restoring her son to life again; by forewarning her of approaching famine; and by restoring all she had lost by her long absence—her house and lands? God had blest Job with a merciful heart; and he relates what the Lord had enabled him to do—chap. xxix. and xxxi. And, although afterwards he was stripped of all he possessed, to answer the wise and gracious ends of God towards him; yet, we read, chap. xlii. that the Lord turned the captivity of Job, and gave him twice as much as he had before, and blessed his latter end more than his beginning. In the history of the apostle, Paul, we read of one Publius, _Acts_, xxviii. the chief man of the island of Malta, (where the apostle and many others were cast by shipwreck;) this kind man received Paul and his companions, and lodged them courteously. We read, soon afterwards, how the father of Publius, laying desperately sick of a fever and bloody flux, was recovered by St. Paul, and restored to his former health. So, likewise, the kindness which the barbarous people of that island shewed unto Paul and his fellow travellers, was recompensed with the cure of many of their sick bodies.

A thousand other instances might be produced, of ancient and of modern date. And, supposing no reward is experienced in this world, the God of truth has declared—“Thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.” This is evident in the close of _Matthew_, xxv.—“Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye did it unto me.”—No doubt the cruel tongue of fallen man may criticise and censure such conduct, but, acting from a motive of Bible love, such persons will meet with their reward: envy, detraction and cruelty is in the heart and conduct of thousands, but woe unto him by whom the offence, _the slander_, cometh—it had been better for him if he had never been born. But what are those whose tongues are worlds of iniquity, and whose teeth are swords and spears? As saith the Poet—

—“No, ’tis slander; Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose tongue Outvenoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath Rides on the posting winds, and doth belie All corners of the world: kings, _queens_, and states, Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave This viperous slander enters.”

But the Redeemer saith—“And blessed is he that is not offended in me.”

Yours, J. C.