Bad Letter, Good Letter
This Week's Theme: Good Friends
William Lyon Phelps
Tuesday, October 10, 2000
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Key Bible Verse:
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17).
Bonus Reading:Proverbs 17:9; 18:24; 19:22
A friend of college days, whom all regarded as a perfect example of integrity, was accused in the newspapers of a crime. I was so certain of his virtue that I wrote him a letter in which I said that I and all his friends were certain that he'd done nothing wrong, that he'd be slandered, and that he mustn't feel too bad about the attack, because as long as he had the inner certainty that he'd done nothing wrong, he could remain calm and serene.
A few days later he committed suicide. I can't be certain whether I was in any way responsible for this tragedy; but I am certain that I wrote him a very bad letter and was untrue in friendship.
Later I was attacked because a press dispatch quoted me as having said something I really hadn't said. I received a letter from one of my former pupils: "I don't believe the report of your remarks is true. I don't see how you could have said that; but I want you to know that even if you did say it, my friendship and affection for you will always remain the same." That is a good letter. That is friendship.
William Lyon Phelps in A Book on Friendship Respond:
Recall a time when you felt accepted even when you had made a mistake. How can you treat others the same way? Thought to Apply:
A friend should bear his friend's infirmities.
William Shakespeare (English playwright, 16th century)
Adapted from A Book on Friendship (Hallmark Cards, 1977). 1 of 1
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Jesus, thank you for the blessing of friends. Give me Your love for my brothers.
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