Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/57

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EARLY FRIENDS IN NEW YORK.
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hand I clasped on my first day in America,” and the two friends shed tears of affection together. A few months later Mr. Marshall followed Mr. Carter to the eternal city. Can we not imagine the renewed hand-clasping in the land where partings are no more?

Dr. Stark also was a warm friend as long as he lived, When Mr. Carter entered into business three years later, he said to him, “I know your capital is small. If at any time a few hundreds would be a help to you, I will gladly lend them without interest.” Mr. Carter never required this aid, but felt himself greatly indebted to Dr. Stark for advice, for kindly words of encouragement to himself and indorsement to others.

Often in after life Mr. Carter spoke of the solitary feeling that came over him as he laid his head upon his pillow on his first night in the New World. He remembered that he was alone in this great city; that if he should die that night, there would be none to mourn him; that those who loved him would not know of his death till many weeks should pass away. Then the thought of the loving Father, who was as near him in New York as to his dear ones three thousand miles away, whose watchful eye never slept, and whose tender care was ever about him, comforted his drooping heart. It was the same thought, beautifully expressed by the Quaker poet, born the same year as himself,—

I know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.”

And so he laid him down and slept, and awaked, for the Lord sustained him.

On the morning of his first Sabbath in America, he inquired at his boarding-house where he could find a