Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-01-25


sesSed. as II were. only Of one spirit:
'.Efsn reiie aigue lien nollc, ca deMum
tirma azieifiG est J." Then may We
Justly sing, How good and how plea
santitis for brethren 20 dwell IN unity"
The world may say tina, we should
entertain no particular friendship, be-
cause il takes an exclusive hold of the
heart. and bcgets envy. This is an
erroneous idea. They who dwell a
mong worldling~, and who desire 10
embrace virtue and charity, require
union among themselves. as all others
DO, who are engaged in any laudable or
arduous undertaking. BY this means.
they stimulate. encourage. and assist
and finally conduct one another 20 vir-
tue. Much nigh, be said on this head
but the limits which have re.cribed
for my remarks will not allow H.
Men who walk on level ground
need not lend each other helping
hand, whilst they who travel over a
steep and slippery path, must cling to-
ge,her. IN order 90 proceed with safety.
II will not be denied, presume. that
the paths o. the world are steep and
rugged, and beset with many obs;a-
Giles; 30 that il Is necessary for those
who would travel over them with Sccu-
rity. 10 stick close together, and Co have
the aid of virtue and union. In the
world, all men are not directed by the
same views, nor actuated by the same
u
rate ourselves from IL, and form friend
ships and relations that accord with
our several pretensions. This particu-
larity, i, is true. begets pariiality, but
IT is a holy partiality, which creates no
other division, save that which OF ne
cessitv should exist between the good
and the evil.
Our Lord and Saviour loved 50. John
with a special friendship. How ten
DERBY dad 81. Paul cherish Timothy and
st. Peter 81. Mark st. Gregory. of
Naziangen, boasts frequently in his
writings. of the peculiar friendship
which he entertained for ST. Basil. In
one place, he states. 1T seems that IA
one and the other of US, there Is but one
soul dwelling in two bodies. Each of US
has one only pretension, the cultivation
I Of virtue, and 10 accommodate all the
designs of our lives u future hopes. -
Here is an example worthy of your at
teniion and imitation. Who then it'll
justice or reason, can oppose a partlcu-
j lar society, established for the promo
ton Of friendship and virtue, when sus-
tanned by such holy and uneXcePliona-
BILE authorities.
( But there are some things, Brethren
wmch-tend very much 10 obsiruct the
formation Of friendship, and diminish
that which may have already existed.
The proud mans contumely, the in
science of Office. expressions of con-
tempt, sarcastic remarks, unne cessary
contradictions, bitter and malignant
tests, arc we'll calculated to lessen our
esteem and respect for those who IN
dulgp ia such course. BE complai-
SAINT, then, my friends, and this anna
BILE trait alone will promote even your
worldly interest. more than wit, know
ledge, or any other accomplishments
An eloquent and moral writer says,
that "complaisance renders a superior
amiable, an equal agreeable, and an
inferior acceptable"
I Pride aud anger are also obstacles in
the way OF friendship; let them not find
a resting place within. your breast, but
let their best sntIdote, those two virtues
which shone so brightly in our Redeem.
or. and which hc so strenuously recon-
mended, namely. necklaces and hu-
manity, take full possession Of your
hearts. Learn Of me" saith Jesus.
"for am meek and humble Of heart.
Humility will perfect you with respect
20 God. and meckness. with regard 20
your neighbnr. These two virtues NAV
be well illustrated by two we'll known
substances, Balm and OIL Of Olives
The Balm. which always sinks beneath
al other liquors, represents humility
and the OilOf Olives, which ever swims
above. mcekness. which surmounis
every obstacle, and which is very APP
propnately termed by a good and wise
man. the very flower Of Charity. -
God grant that your hearts may be an
nointed with the mystical JUNCTION OF
meakness and humility. II will guard
Il eneciually against the heat, rlge. and
burning, which injuries or opposition
are wont TO produce.
The holy and illuslIious Patriarch,
Joseph. when sending back his bre-
lhren from Egyp, 70 his father. house,
gave them the following advice only.
" BE- not angry by the way ! say
the same 20 YOU brethren. This wretch
cd life h al best hope bat tedious
journey 10 a happy hfe - come. Let
as not then. bo angsy with oneeano-
ihcr by the way. bui walk peateably,
meekly. and chautably. silh our com-
pauionv. For 81 James tells us en-
phlucally. that the anger ct man
wofktth not the justice Of God
It's bcs, 10 deny entrance even 20
lost add reasonable anger for being
once admitted. itj with difficulty eject
Cd. Itenterg as twig. and 90 q short
time becomes a beam. 10 % ever
gam NJ sight IT Won, D. 'Brns iuio ha-
iced un.ort.hTs tftclf under a thou