Letter to congregation about friends:
			"From the Pastor" (C. Glen Lashley)

Dear Friends:  The past week-end I had a rare opportunity
to visit at length with two of my best friends.  Several
years have passed since I have visited with one of these
men.  There was a time when we were together day after day
for several years.
   Many things have happened since we last visited at length
and face to face.  The sad times we all have gone through,
that still bring tears to the eyes, were shared with open-
ness.  If there had been time, there were other things that
could have been shared which might well have been worth a
great deal to all of us.
   They are gone now but the visit has left me in a solemn
mood which I am unable to fully understand.  It's kind of
sweet sadness.  One of them said, "I have laughed more in
the past hour than I have in a long time."  I remember that
statement and the fullness of his laughter.  I remember other
times, years ago when his laughter was hardy and frequent.
I sense that events have taken some of his joy.
   We have all made many friends since going our separate ways,
yet there is something about old friends that is special.
These are the people who knew you when....I promise myself one
thing, God being my helper, I shall take more time for my friends
in days to come --my new friends and my old friends.
   Someone calculated it, I don't know how, that if there were
twelve people who are truly sad when you die that you have lived
a successful life.  Twelve true friends who will stand by you in
the good times and the bad may be more than most people can boast.
Renewing my awareness of the importance of friends I dedicate my-
self again to be a better friend to more people.  Not just a
friend, but a Christian friend.  Jesus once said, "I have called
you my friends."
					Faithfully yours,
					Glen
P.S.:   I am violating a rule I was taught by including a too lengthy
	P.S. written by Nels F. S. Ferre.  "The first general rule of
	friendship is to be a friend, to be open, natural, interested;
	the second rule is to take time for friendship.  Friendship,
	after all, is what life is finally about.  Everything material
	and professional exists in the end for persons."