One there is, above all others, <br />Well deserves the name of friend; <br />His is love beyond a brother's, <br />Costly, free, and knows no end: <br />They who once his kindness prove, <br />Find it everlasting love! <br /> <br />Which of all our friends to save us, <br />Could or would have shed their blood? <br />But our Jesus died to have us <br />Reconciled, in him to God: <br />This was boundless love indeed! <br />Jesus is a friend in need. <br /> <br />Men, when raised to lofty stations, <br />Often know their friends no more; <br />Slight and scorn their poor relations <br />Though they valued them before. <br />But our Saviour always owns <br />Those whom he redeemed with groans. <br /> <br />When he lived on earth abased, <br />Friend of sinners was his name; <br />Now, above all glory raised, <br />He rejoices in the same: <br />Still he calls them brethren, friends, <br />And to all their wants attends. <br /> <br />Could we bear from one another, <br />What he daily bears from us? <br />Yet this glorious Friend and Brother, <br />Loves us though we treat him thus: <br />Though for good we render ill, <br />He accounts us brethren still. <br /> <br />O for grace our hearts to soften! <br />Teach us, Lord, at length to love; <br />We, alas! forget too often, <br />What a Friend we have above: <br />But when home our souls are brought, <br />We will love thee as we ought.<br /><br />John Newton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-friend-that-sticketh-closer-than-a-brother/
