Memoir of a Brother

 'Bad company ruins good morals.' So wrote the Apostle Paul to Christians in Corinth. It is certainly true, but so too it might be said that, 'Good company improves good morals.'

It has been one of the greatest blessings I've received over the last twenty years to become acquainted with two men whom I look forward to meeting at the resurrection of the dead. It was Thomas Hughes' writings (specifically Tom Brown’s Schooldays) that introduced me to Thomas Arnold's sermons, lectures and correspondence. I've learnt much about what it means to be a Christian from these two men. It is certainly the case that although dead, by their faith, they still speak.

Without a doubt one of the best fivers I ever spent was on a book by Thomas Hughes called Memoir of a Brother. It is a record of George Hughes, Tom's older brother, who fell asleep in death unexpectedly while still a fairly young man. This is how the dedication reads:

'TO MY NEPHEWS AND SONS.

My dear boys,
It has pleased God to take to Himself the head of the family of which you are members. Most of you are too young to enter into the full meaning of those words "family" and "membership," but you all remember with sore hearts, and the deepest feeling of love and reverence, the gentle, strong, brave man, whom you used to call father or uncle; and who had that wonderful delight in, and attraction for, young folk, which most very gentle and brave men have. You are conscious, I know, that a great cold chasm has suddenly opened in your lives - that strength and help has gone away from you, to which you knew you might turn in any of the troubles which boys, and very young men, feel so keenly. Well, I am glad that you feel it is so: I should not have much hope of you if it were otherwise. The chasm will close up, and you will learn, I trust and pray, where to go for strength and help, in this and all other troubles....

You have been taught to look to one life as your model, and to turn to Him who lived it on earth, as to the guide, and friend, and helper, who alone can strengthen the feeble knees, and lift up the fainting heart. Just in so far as you cleave to that teaching, and follow that life, will you live your own faithfully. If I were not sure that what I am going to try to do for you would help to turn you more trustfully and lovingly to that source of all truth, all strength, all light, be sure I would not have undertaken it...'

And so the memoir begins. The life of an ordinary Englishman who was born when George III was on the throne, and who died during the reign of Queen Victoria. But what an amazing thing it is, to find that an ordinary life, one like mine (and yours too, I venture to say) could have such a profound impact on one's brother - such that he would write about it for his own family, and for others who would come later (like me).

The memoir has reminded me that even little things, done in the right spirit, with a consciousness of glorifying God and living as a disciple of Jesus, can radically impact others and inspire them to be better Christians themselves.

For Christians, it is clearly God's will that we live as lights, as ambassadors, as witnesses to the sheer brilliance of Jesus Christ and the manifold blessings of being in his kingdom.

As the days progress, why not resolve to read the works of great Christians, and allow good company to improve your thinking, and lift your eyes to the horizon of what God has done for previous generations.

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.  

(Heb 13:7-9)

In addition, writing as the father of four brothers, and as a younger brother myself, why not remind ourselves of this truth:

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

In the days ahead we do not know what will befall us. But we do know that we have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

PS: A copy of Memoir of a Brother can be bought here, if you’re interested.