The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-06-24
FRIENDSHIP.
(Messengsr Of the Sacred Heart)


As to your faith and principles will say one
word more on the application of your faith te
life, of Your principles to action. 1t is a mos
practical, delicate and momentous application
since 1t concerns the sanctuary where as q
friend you will unb bosom yourself to your friend
refer to the choice you must make of those
whom you will honor with your triendship
And say that just as you would weigh or
measure = political opinion or assertion OF
science by the maxims of faith and truth which
you had learnt SO you m ust measure and weigh
ciples and maxims W hich he Processes with his
lips and embodies in his life. You must not
be guided therefore in this most delicate mat
ter so much by feeling, sympathy and q corre-
spondence of sentiment, as by rectitude of
principle, soundness of mind, and uprightness
of heart; for, remember, in the case of a bad
choice, evil company spoils good manners.
Now do not say you should go about putting
comparisons whlcn are odlous, drawing distinc-
tions which are invidous, or showing prefer
ences that may be injurious. No; bat observe
men, and know " who's who" Some you will
have nothing to do with others leave in the
outer ring of mere acquaintanceship or, as
hoiIow. custom styles lG, "friendship;" but
into the bosom of ohr true, genuine friend
ship. And now 1 will show you how to test
them.
Have they principles or have they not If
not, or il their principles are not sou nd, they
are unworthy of being even acquainCances
Still, good word and a kind look are cheap !;
and Christian charity dictates that to all men
you spare 80 much, and even more than that !;
and thereby you may win them one day to q
better frame of mind. Now suppose they do
profess principles, look aud observe how they
act on them. And this net in great trials or
on great OCCASIONS, but in little things. In
great trials of their rectitude and fortitude,
when the world is looking at them, you capnst
know how far it may be that ostentation and
vanity are carrying them through, instead of
tho pure love of principle and virtue which
should bear them mp though not an eye was
upon them. Moreover such great occasions
are rare. But frihes are not rare, and the world
is not looking; and it is only the solid love of
principle and of virtue which will keep q man
faithfol in trifles. Observe, therefore, whether
your would-be friend is compliant with the
just will OF his parsnts, and of those who are
over him; whether he will take no little sd-
vantage on the poorest or on any of those be-
meath him whether he will -encroach upon
no man, even though he could do it unseen
and with impunity; whether his smile is not
ambig uous, his look not dubious. his word not
double. ed ged. II he is conscieutiously faith
full and regularly consistent, if he win keep
his honor bright without suffering q speck to
Sully it, even in the dark, then, thank God
you may place your trust even in q man, and
enjoy the greatest boon which society can
afford-tbe boon Of friendship. If snoS man
fail at times, tits only human. But whoever
should systematically sin against bis principles
of faith and action, be is false and treacberous
whoever Is not true to his God, will never be
trne to fiiend.
Show me the mau who will not give the lie |
to his own professions, who will not tramplo |
on his own maxms, who will do himself the |
honor of respecting his own principles of life
and action, and will not deli iberately and con- |
temptuously take to pieces the very platform |
be has built under his own feet; or who, if he |
fails to come up to his stan dard tails out of
frailty, human frailty, not systematic incousis
wear him in my hearts core, yea, in my heart
Of hearts!"