The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-10-21
PRACTICAL FRIENDSHIP,

tainty and Inconsistency of human friend
ship; yet, very few ever learn this by actual
experience. With the masses Of mankind
generally, friendship is a very indefinite term
Men meet in society as strangers. and upon
acquaintance are mutually pleased. After
n certain amount of intercourse, they form
an intimacy which they call friendship.
They like each other, receive pleasure from
each others company, and there passes be-
tween them reciprocity of f,vors. If they
live near each other, this state Of things
may continue without interruption to the
end of their lives. This attachment extends
just as far as the profession, and is perhaps
as intense and lasting rs either wishes it to
be; consequently when these persons talk
ofthe Inconsistency of friendship, they speak
cant borrowed from poets and noveists,
OF which they really know nothing.
But there are instances of stronger
friendship than this. Persons sometimes
become united in closer bond than any
tie ofkindred ever established. Their hearts
are knit together hv'a cord the sundcrinn
of which would be like breaking the mystic
thread that conrects soul and flesh. It is
tho commingling Of congcnial natures, un
accountably mysteriousto those who never
passed through such an experience, but
none the less reality because mysterious.
coarser or colder spirits never know this
feeling. To them, self love is a paramount
passIon-a passion in which all love for
their race, or for individuals Of that race. is
lost. But the friendship of refined souls is
as unselfish as it is strong. No sacrifices
which it can make for its objects arc con-
sldered. too great. If needed substantial aid
is given without stint; if this can nothing
avail, sympathy is freely offered. There is
deep interest manifested in the welfare
and prosperity ofeacl other; but that interest
is seldom at'estcd by professions, and never
by any display ofsentiment. They seek to
give expression TO- their feelings in actions,
rather than words. Two such friends NAV
not, liks Two modern school misses, write
whole reams of paper fillel with cn,learino
phrases, but they will cheer in loneliness,
comfort in afiliction and aid in trouble. In
prosperity, when the sun shines brightly,
and tho wind blows softly, they move on
quietly, without fatiguing each other will,
useless attentions, or rendering themselves
ridiculous 10y an ostentatious intimacy
But when storms come and summer friends
have all fled, the real friendship shows itscl
in warm, active, self denying love.
This is the kind of friendship which we
need to aid and encourage us amid the
difficulties with which life is so thickly bcset
We all stand in want of such assistance the
strong as well as the weak-the selfrelyinp
and tho d'ftident. Our charge against the
friendships of this age is not that they are
false, bnt that they do not, in sufficient
degree, give aid.-They are as sentimental
as one could wish, but not practical enough
We wisl, men we'll, but make no effort to
insure their doing well. We close our let
ters 10 them by the assurance than VIC are
their "Sincere FRIEND" but farther than a
few flattoring expressions of regard, we never
give them any proof that We are 80. This
is not as it should be. Persons can almost
always find some way of beneflting their
friends it they will seek the opportunity.
They should make themselves known and
render their Kindness felt in prosperity as
well as in adversely. They should not wait
for The clouds TO gather and the winds to
howl before they give some assurance Of
their love. "A. friend in need is a friend
indeed" saystbe old adage, and quite truly
but he is most apt to be sfiiend in need
who hasisi,own himself TO be watciful,
consi.lerate and patient friend in seasons OF
prosperity. $50 ....' '1''
WoMAN WITHOUT RELro1oN.-A man
wit'ort religion Is at best poor reprobate,
ihefoothafI 6fdestiny, with no tie linking
iiinf0 infinffv anJ * RI. =: x