Page:The Eternal Priesthood (4th ed).djvu/182

170 When friends are united in love they are in union even though they be as far as sunrise and sunset apart. The consciousness of united wills and mutual kindliness and mutual service and loving patience, with the memories of past days of affection and of happiness, makes the absent to be present, and those that are unseen to be all but visibly with us. Letters come and go and messages are interchanged, and we feel to share in all they desire, and we know that they share in all that belongs to us. Such is the society of human friendship, even when friends are parted far asunder. It is more sensible and active the nearer they are. In a household all are not always together, but all are conscious that all are under the same roof, and that they are one in heart and will. The friendship of a priest with his Lord is beyond all this in conscious nearness and conscious intimacy. We may go to Him at any hour. If He be silent, we know His meaning and His mind. He always welcomes us when we come to Him. He listens to all we say, and He consoles us by listening to our voice; for it is a relief to unburden our soul to a friend, though he answers not a word. We know that we have His sympathy; that He feels with us and for us; that all we say is noted and remembered; and that if He be silent now, the day is not far off