. Friendship . arity. There is a forgive-178 :7 THE RENEWING OF FRIENDSHIP ness which is no forgiveness—formal,constrained, from the teeth and lips out-ward. It does not come as the warmbreath which has had contact with theblood of the heart. The highest forgive-ness is so full and free, that it is forget-fulness. It is complete as the forgivenessof God. If there is something in the method ofthe approach, there is perhaps more inthe time of it. It ought to be chosencarefully and considerately; for it may bethat the other has not been prepared forthe renewal by thought and feeling, asthe man wh
. Friendship . arity. There is a forgive-178 :7 THE RENEWING OF FRIENDSHIP ness which is no forgiveness—formal,constrained, from the teeth and lips out-ward. It does not come as the warmbreath which has had contact with theblood of the heart. The highest forgive-ness is so full and free, that it is forget-fulness. It is complete as the forgivenessof God. If there is something in the method ofthe approach, there is perhaps more inthe time of it. It ought to be chosencarefully and considerately; for it may bethat the other has not been prepared forthe renewal by thought and feeling, asthe man who makes the advances hasbeen. No hard and fast rule can be for-mulated when dealing with such a com-plex and varied subject as man. So muchdepends on temper and character. Oneman taken by surprise reveals his truefeeling; another, when taken off hisguard, is irritated, and shuts up his heartin a sort of instinctive self-defence. Thethoughtfulness of love will suggest theappropriate means, but some emphasis179. [iTir/.c^.^,, THE RENEWING OF FRIENDSHIP w may rightly be given to the phrase inChrists counsel, between thee and himalone. Let there be an opportunity fora frank and private conversation. To ap-peal to an estranged friend before wit-nesses induces to special pleading, makingthe witnesses the jury, asking for a ver-dict on either side; and the result is thatboth are still convinced they have righton their side, and that they have beenwronged. If the fault of the estrangement lieswith us, the burden of confession shouldrest upon us also. To go to him withsincere penitence is no more than ourduty. Whether the result be successfulor not, it will mean a blessing for our ownsoul. Humility brings its own reward;for it brings God into the life. Even ifwe have cause to suspect that the offendedbrother will not receive us kindly, stillsuch reparation as we can make is atleast the gate to reconciliation. It maybe too late, but confession will lighten theburden on our own heart. O
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