A Renewed Friendship

Share Now

The 1800 election campaign to determine who would become President after George Washington was a bitter one between two former friends, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. John Adams was so hurt by what happened that he left the President’s House early on Jefferson’s inauguration day without even seeing his former friend succeed him as President.

When Thomas Jefferson left office eight years later, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a fellow signer of the Declaration of Independence, worked to restore the friendship between the two men. Finally, in 1811 Jefferson learned that John Adams had told someone, “I always loved Jefferson, and still love him.” With this assurance, Thomas Jefferson wrote to Dr. Rush telling him that his affections for Adams had been revived. He asked Rush to implore Adams to write to him. Adams did so and the two men corresponded with one another faithfully for the rest of their lives. Though they never saw each other again, they shared a deep friendship in which they discussed many topics, both national and personal. These letters are a national treasure.

This desk that once belonged to John Adams stands in the center of his large office on the second floor at Peace field. In a corner of this room is another desk where Adams carried on his correspondence with Jefferson. In a corner by a window is an overstuffed easy chair where John Adams sat on July 4, 1826, watching the Quincy Fourth of July parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Adams had been asked to be the grand marshal of the parade, but he declined because he wasn’t feeling up to it. Adams suffered a stroke that day while he sat in his chair.

A bed was brought into his office and the former President was laid upon it. He died there later that day. Before he died, he said these last words: “Jefferson still survives.” Ironically, unknown to Adams, Jefferson had died at his home in Monticello just a few hours before on that very day (and for those of you who love trivia, you might like to know that James Monroe died on the Fourth of July 1831; and Calvin Coolidge was born on the Fourth of July 1872).

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson enjoyed a reconciliation that blessed them for the rest of their lives. God offers us reconciliation with Himself and with one another through the blood of His Son.

When I write to you, I try to think about how you will feel when you read it. I know that some of you long for reconciliation with people you love and that no matter how hard you have tried, it hasn’t happened. The statement, “It takes two,” may be overused, but it is true. God pursues reconciliation and waits for it (at the same time), but He doesn’t force it. If anyone could make reconciliation happen, it would be the Creator of the Universe.

We can’t force reconciliation with others either — no matter how much we long for it. God has done everything needed to make reconciliation possible, He continues to bless, and He waits. We can follow His example.

For it was the Father’s good pleasure
for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself,
having made peace through the blood of His cross;
through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Colossians 1:19-20

We are having an encouraging NCHE convention in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I love when you stop by to say hello. Those are convention highlights for me and for Ray, too.

Share Now