Middletown transcript., 1877-04-07
True Frienaahip.

common with almost every community
is largely adulterated Somehow i
seems to partake Of the nature Of tht
age in more respects than one.
The average grade of friendship is o
the cheapest kind made of poor mate
rial, and sold at any price. The socia
market is glutted with it, and it resem
bles SO closely the genuine article thai
the keen-eyed expert can alone detect
the fraud This, of course, is speak
ing 6guratively.
But the fact that there is much false
friendship does not prove that there is
none of the genuine article in existence
is is only an evidence that the latter
is rather scarce
Some writer has said, "Tbere is lit
tie friendship in the world" and we
are half inclined te substantiate the as
sertion. Those whom we believe to be
our most reliable friends often prove
our bitterest enemies, and we are fire.
quently at loss to know in whom to
confde, and doubtful as to who are our
friends.
Friendship is defined as an attach
ment to a person proceeding from an
intimate acquaintance Now. it is plain
that if friendship is the natural out
growth of an intimate acquaintance, it
must necessarily partake Of the nature
of the aequaiDtaneeship.
If our relations one to another are of
a pure and honest character, if truth
and integrity and virtue are the con-
trolling elements in all our comming-
lings with each other-then our friend
ship will be of pure type, aud tend to
elevate and benefit u.s.
But if there is an absence of these
elements-if the principles of true man.
hood and womanhood do not enter into
and crntrol our relations to each other,
if falsehood and deceit are practiced-
then the friendship will be cheap and |
flimsy-false and uncertain.
In the first place, there can be no
true friendship without confidence. and
no confidence without honor and integ-
rity These are the woof and web in
lbe genuine article.
Hypocrisy and pretense form no part
in its make-up-they are too cheap and
aimsy to wear well, and the honest man
will dispense with them altogether.
Men are too apt to use this false
as a cloak to hide their
wicked deeds and purposes. But it is
10 gaudy that discerning people can see
through and discover the falsehood and
beneath.
The underlying force o: all proper
IOcial intercourse is friendship in its
highest and noblest form The Creator
las implanted within the human soul
lesire for social communion It is the
loblest human attribute. and, properly
lsed, the most benefceDt. But how
little it is understood How its culti-
'ation and development in a higher
ense is neglected 10 this grasping,
,reedy world it's beauty is overlooked,
is power is lost, its blessings unheeded
u our race after worldly treasures and
'leasures end their unsatisfying results.
A true friend is of fincalculable value.
With true friendship there is that peace
nd harmony that surpasses all de6ni-
ion. Complete and well rounded, it is
lore beautiful than imagination could
ortray. Developed and intensified, it
lessons into that finer and more heav-
My grace called love.
Properly exercised, It lifts all men
nto higher life-ills them with no.
Ter impulses and desires-refnes the
lind and softens the heart-purifes
nd beauties the actions Of men in
hort, it makes man more manly, and {
omen more womanly, and adds beauty
nd harmony and happiness to our lives l
It's throne is in the heart Here it Z
born, and here it dwelIs forever, {
rengthening or weakening, and deter ,
lining for good or evil cur influence on I
lr feIlOw-beings in proportion as it is t
eveloped in the right or the wrong :
lannel. {
1t is born of heaven, and is linked in /
lture to Him who was the friend of
iends-who died that a fourishing a
orld might live. 1t is the fountain i,
cad of love. and the germ of every
oble impulse and feeling in man.