WCP2738

[1]

<G.J.?> Gilchrist

c/o Mr Edwards

122 Pembroke Place

Liverpool

26th March 1879

Dear Sir,

I thank you very much for your kind reply.

Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to get these men interested in social reconstruction, as they are opposed to it.

But I must do what I can, & I shall always look at your letter & treasure it greatly from one who is so worthily honoured.

I know well that you have done your best & we feel greatly honoured in having one so truly great working for a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.

If ever I reach your age may I be able to look back upon my life in the same light as you can, as a life well [2] spent in the service of man.

May I be allowed to wish you yet again years of good service and express my desire that you may yet see the desire of your heart.

"'Tis weary watching wave by wave

yet still the tide heaves onward;

We climb like corals grave by grave

yet beat a pathway sunward.

We're beaten back in many a fray,

but newer strength we borrow;

And where our vanguard camps today

the rear shall rest tomorrow." so we go on fighting & praying until

"Till upon earth's grateful sod

Stands the City of our God"¹

The city whose builder & <maker> is God — Goodness & all that that implies.

I love Whittier — one of his best gems is [3] "yet who thus looking backward o'er his years feels not his eyelids wet with grateful tears if he hath been permitted, weak and sinful as he was to cheer and aid in some ennobling cause his fellow men?"²

In conclusion I pray that you may yet be spared for many years to aid in the greatest & noblest cause & may you see the Day arrive when all that is wrong unjust & unrighteous & unbrotherly receives its death blow, for we believe that Christ who is the embodiment of all that is good & holy shall yet <crush?> all enemies under his feet & that the Day shall come for which too many have suffered & <bled> [4] wept & died. The prayers of all <the> good dead are with us, they are with us urging us on to greater works. May we be worthy of them.

I feel the divine rage. I feel the rage of all good men. I feel that the day is breaking & the shadows are fleeing away. There is still much to do [,] there are still great victories to be won & in <life> is [illeg.] Land of all.

If you feel that you would like to give me any other words of advice or of encouragement I should be glad to receive them [.]

Yours very grateful

<G.J.?> Gilchrist [signature]³

"The Best is yet to come"