Devotional: From Enemy to Friend
by R.A. Miller
Published January 25, 2023.
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger.” - Proverbs 15:1
John Brown of Haddington (1722-1787)
The following is a story from The Burlington Hawk-Eye:
Who has not heard of John Brown of Haddington? His system of Divinity, his Dictionary of the Bible, but most of all, his Catechism, have made him widely known, especially among Presbyterians. Though advanced in after years to the post of Professor of Divinity in the Theological Seminary of the Associate Synod of Scotland, his greatness was not so generally acknowledged in his early ministry.
His first call, while yet a licentiate, was to the church in Haddington. It was opposed by a minority of one, but, as is sometimes the case, that one was a host in himself. His wealth, station and influence, made him an object of fear to the majority, who anticipated trouble from him in the settlement of Mr. Brown.
Previous, however, to the ordination, the young preacher was providentially brought in the way of his formidable opponent. Nothing daunted or disturbed, he took him by the hand, and the following dialogue ensued:—
Brown: Pray tell me, Mr. Stuart, what you have against me.
Stuart: I'll be as frank as yourself, Mr. Brown: and must say that I have a very strong reason for voting against you; and it is just this,—I don't think you a good preacher.
Brown: Ah! so I thought: but my dear sir, you and I are perfectly agreed in this matter. I know it as well as you do; but the people, you see, differ from us both. Now where is the use of our setting up our opinions and views against those of the parish?
A pause—and then a hearty laugh succeeded, and Mr. Stuart, with a hearty shake of the hand, responded: "I begin to be of your opinion, Mr. Brown; you shall find in me, henceforward, not an opposer, but a faithful friend. And so it proved. Mr. Brown, from that period, had no warmer friend in the parish.
The Burlington Hawk-Eye, November 22, 1849.
Commentary: “Mild words, gentle expressions, delivered with kindness and tenderness, humility and submission; these will work upon a man's passions, weaken his resentments, and break and scatter the storm of wrath raised in his breast, just breaking forth in a very boisterous and blustering manner; so high winds are sometimes laid by soft showers.” - John Gill.
Application: Be intentionally reasonable in your responses to others. If someone is harsh with you, do not respond in the same way that they addressed you. Pray that God would make you gentle in speech.