The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-06-30

In the desert that leads to the grave and its rest,
Ia thy friendship a moistening showfr;
In the tempests which hfe's rugged pathway moiest'
L. that friendship Q shelter1ng bower

Ii ne CSC tss Hc~s
i thy friendship mn. : %9i l;is's 9ss sns;G & sAu.y modest.
Is that friendship . sheterng bower
Kindred objects, kindred hopes. and kindred pur-
suits, beget q oneness OF feeling q similarly o. s"Ms s
mutual regard and warmtobf affection, between ar
ferent individuals. even in the commences AFFAIRS OF
life. How much more, then, does the genuine spirit
of the gospel tend to cement, IN indIssoiuoIe union,
the hearts Of real Christians. Their IS one LORD ana
Savior, their hopes and joys spring from one common
source. their psfhway through time tends to the same
blissful country, and they look to q participation IN
the same eternal, joyous rest beyond the grave a.
friendship of pious souls is sweet indeed-each striv-
ing to promote the others welfare-each preferring
the other to himself-each striving to encourage ana
assist the other in the world, and on his way 70
heaven. 1t is tainted by no selfish principle. II IS
so;led bv no worldly motive. Each sees, faint though
it NAV be, the character Of Jesus reflected In the
other, and they love each other for their Saviors
sake. How sacred, how endearing, then, Is Christ-
ian friendship. And yet how rare-yes, painiui
thouebt-how rare at this day, is real, genuine
Christian regard and friendship. In early times, 10
embrace Christ, was to be introduced to the 9p Pr.
served confidence, the warme111nne ctions, ~ = 80
tenderest love of the household .faith o. ,,;,e
sedulous to cherish, not to ofen40nc n Christ : I.iie
ones. All felt that their Interests we're - = M
dissoluble, and that all were S'und oy .ne Sane :ou
Of eternal love, to the sf-J How Omen. at this day,
= ,ho saeI;nos Of Christians estranged. the one
- ~, o.ser How often does the follower OF
Io ~ stand unloved and uncared for in the
rnil< " nS OWh uAiSti
[oes he stand, even amid his own covenanted brethren,
hated and despised, with no plying eye bent upon
him, but that of his God, and no heart to feel for him,
but that of his Savior. If there is anything that will
cause the heart of the poor disciple to ache and bleed,
and cause him to weep and mourn in secret places, 1t
is the cold, contemp:uous and neglectful treatment OF
his fellow Christians, his brethren in the Lord. The
ieers, the contumely, and the reproaches of the world
he could bear. but to be wounded in the house OF his
friends causes him keenest anguish. Even such
wounds do cruelty afresh the Lord of Glory, and
cause the infinite heart of the Savior to be panied.
How lamentable is this worldly and time serving
spirit which has crep. into the church of Christ, aud
to so mournful an extent displaced true Christian
friendship, fellowship and regard-and how is re-
turn to ancient simplicity of feeling and of action to
be desired, when all loved as brethren, ard lived to-
gether in confidence, peace, and amity, strengthen
ing each others graces. Give me but the social
cheer, the confidence and warm Christian friendship
of Christ's cherished ones, and the b%enignant smiles
of my gracious R~edeemer, let my outward lot be what
it may, let the storms of adversely beat wildly upon
me, nevertheless, l will pass peacefully, cheerfully,
and quietly down the declivity Of life, and when my
work on earth is ended, rest calmly and serenely in
the bosom of the Beloved, the Sovereign Son of God.
Selected.