The Elder and His Friends; Christian Friendship Delineated in the Private Letters of John

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882. Excerpt: ... IV. CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP. 'And Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.'--1 Sam. Xxiii. 16. 'And now abideth faith, hope, love: these three: but the greatest of these is love.'--1 Cor. Xiii. 13. IV. CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP. 'whom I love in the truth,' 'Whom I love in the truth,'--such emphasis does John put on the bond by which he was united to his friends, and they to him. Time had been when they were unknown to him by face or name: acquaintance had been formed, kindnesses had been received on either side, intercourse had been enjoyed, friendship had ripened; but it was not an ordinary kind of friendship. It did not rest on kindred, nor on neighbourhood, nor on business, nor on country, nor on common tastes and pursuits, nor even on services rendered and gratitude for these returned: it was a friendship shared by 'all who knew the truth,' it was 'for the truth's sake which dwelleth in us and shall be with us for ever.' Christian friendship does not by any means frown upon and set aside the common ties by which man is linked to man, but it is, as here described, friendship of a distinct and higher sort. The Truth meant much for John and for such as he reckoned friends. It was a certain body of doctrine, no doubt, held by him and them very dogmatically indeed, as we shall see; but it was not abstract doctrine; it was doctrine subsisting in the personal, historical, living Christ. He had heard Him say to the Jews, 'If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.... If the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed.' And to Thomas, 'I am the way and the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.' And to the Fat...