Mon, Dec 17th - 9:47AM

Friendship

Friendship needs no studied phrases,

Polished face, or winning wiles;

Friendship deals no lavish praises,

Friendship dons no surface smiles.

Friendship follows Nature’s diction,

                                    Shuns the blandishments of art,

Boldly severs truth from fiction,

Speaks the language of the heart.

Friendship favors no condition,

Scorns a narrow-minded creed,

Lovingly fulfills its mission,

Be it word or be it deed.

Friendship cheers the faint and weary,

Makes the timid spirit brave,

Warns the erring, lights the dreary,

Smooths the passage to the grave.

Friendship – pure, unselfish friendship,

All through life’s allotted span,

Nurtures, strengthens, widens, lengthens,

Man’s relationship with man.

This poem was read to our congregation by one of the pastors in a recent message about friendship, specifically Christ’s friendship with us and our lateral friendship with one another.  I was very touched by it, as it seems to convey the essence of friendship very succinctly.  He gave me a copy upon my request and I pass it on to you all here.  Apparently, he does not know the author’s name.  May it bless you as it does me!