It is not the highest
sympathy merely, but a pure and lofty society, a fragmentary and
godlike intercourse of ancient date, still kept up at intervals,
which, remembering itself, does not hesitate to disregard the
humbler rights and duties of humanity. It requires immaculate
and godlike qualities full-grown, and exists at all only by
condescension and anticipation of the remotest future. We love
nothing which is merely good and not fair, if such a thing is
possible. Nature puts some kind of blossom before every fruit,
not simply a calyx behind it. When the Friend comes out of his
heathenism and superstition, and breaks his idols, being
converted by the precepts of a newer testament; when he forgets
his mythology, and treats his Friend like a Christian, or as he
can afford; then Friendship ceases to be Friendship, and becomes
charity; that principle which established the almshouse is now
beginning with its charity at home, and establishing an almshouse
and pauper relations there.
As for the number which this society admits, it is at any rate to
be begun with one, the noblest and greatest that we know, and
whether the world will ever carry it further, whether, as Chaucer
affirms,
"There be mo sterres in the skie than a pair,"
remains to be proved;
"And certaine he is well begone
Among a thousand that findeth one.
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