The "worthy friend" in the poem is the village blacksmith. The speaker has learned important life lessons from him. First, he has learned the value of hard work. The blacksmith is wet with "honest sweat" from working day in, day out, from dawn to dusk. Because of his work ethic, he owes nothing to any man: he can be proudly self-supporting.

The blacksmith is also a role model of faith. With his family, he attends church faithfully. He is a good family man: his children like to visit him at the forge, and he sheds a tear of grief in church for his departed mother.

Finally, the blacksmith represents an individual who has embraced a full life: he works hard, yet he is attached to his family and feels strong emotions. He is faithful, doing whatever work is at hand. He has, by nighttime, earned his rest. As the speaker states:

Toiling,—rejoicing,—sorrowing,
Onward through life he goes ...

He is example of an individual who lives up to all his responsibilities, even though his lot is humble. Because of his well-rounded life, he is an inspiration to the speaker.