WCP2738

[1]

J. T. Gilchrist

c/o Mr Edwards

122 Pembroke Place

Liverpool

26^th March 1879

Dear Sir

I thank you very much for your kind reply.¹

Unfortunately, it is extremely [illeg.] 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 & 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

to reach 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"

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

I love Whittier — one of his best gems is “yet who thus looking backward over his years

Yet not his eyelids wet with grateful tears

If he hath been

Permitted, weak and sinful as he was

To cheer and aid, in some ennabling cause

His fellow men?

In conclusion I pray that you may yet has be spared for many years to aid in the greatest & noblest cause & may you see the Day arise when all that is wrong [illeg.] & enlighten & [illeg.] be receive its death blow, for we believe that Christ who is the embodiment of all that is good & holy shall yet put all enemies under His feet & that the Day shall come for which so many have suffered & toiled [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 & is He is [illeg.] Lord 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 [.]

Yrs very grateful [sic] | T. J. Gilchrist² [signature]

"The Best is yet to be"