Morning journal and courier., 1883-11-19
First M. E. Church.

Rev. Mr. Buck Dikc0urses on the Choice
 or Compnnions-GOod Advice to Young
 Men.
 At the First M E. church last evening Rev. Mir. Buck preached on 'Choice of Oompan- ions; With whom Shall Associate?" It was the fourth in his series on the six great choices of life. He selected his text from the Book of Proverbs, 18th chapter and goth be wise, but companion of fools shall be destroyed" The desire for society, said Mir. Buck, is universal and instinctive. This de- sire is not satisfied with mere acquaintances. We need companions with whom we may be more or less intimate and confidential. We cannot take every one into our confidence or make them companions. We must therefore choose our associates. On what grounds should we base the choice? Many considera- 3ions of course enter into such choice, but the one wish to emphasize tonight is moral
 itness fear that moral distinctions are
 not sufficiently regarded in social intercourse.
 With many intimacies are formed with view
 to social position. They seek their compan-
 ions among the high and rich. When such
 motive is allowed full control it leads either
 to toadyism, which is disgusting, or to clan
 nish exclusiveness, which is sillyEand abom-
 inable, or to actions that are demoraiizing. Many choose their companions through motives of pecuniary advantage This is perilous It tempts men for the sake of
 gain to seek friends among the unprincipled- The result is, they are either heeced or | dragged into iniquitous practices.
 Many choose their companions because of
 their fine social qualities. This is not strange. They who are full of fun and humorous anec- dotes are always attractive. and if good are | most worthy associates. If not good, their wit and social gayety only increase their power to fascinate and corrupt.
 In the choice of companions every prlnci- pie, however worthy or important, should be subordinate to moral fitness.
 All distinctions of wealth or social status l or companionable qualities should be disre- garded when moral principles are defective.
 choice is beyond your control In your family life and daily work you may be compelled to mingle with those who are corrupt and vicious. But
 though compelled to have bad relatives and even bad acquaintances, you need not have
 bad companions If they scof at religion and ridicule the Bible; if they swear or lie
 or gamble; if they are loose in their princi- pies and lascivious in their talk go not with them. If they frequent bad places, or if they spend their evenings promenading Chapel street, do not put their names on your
 list of chosen friends. There is something
 wrong about them. Choose for your asso-
 ciates persons who are worthy of you; per sons of noble character and pure thought,
 and you will catch their spirit. They will be to you @ stimulus and inspiration. This choice of companions is vastly important.
 Results that are immeasurable in their inAu- ence are connected with it. It affects your reputation. "A man is known by the
 company he keeps" is a universal ploverb.
 The old Greeks said, Like draws to like,
 and in our homely phrase we express the
 same idea, ''Birds of feather flock togeth-
 er' This law of affinity rules everything.
 'Tell me, said Goethe, "with whom you as-
 sociate and will tell you who you are." The
 man who 'walks with the wise" is thought to be wise and good, while the man who
 lounges about with those who drink and
 swear and gamble is thought to be low, and
 is summed by all respectable people. Com panionship affects character. It brings men to 8 level morally. We come to resemble
 those with whom we associate. It IS
 law of nature that 'lke be-
 gets like" To live with persons of elevated character and noble soul is to be
 lifted and inspired; on the other hand to live
 with the vicious is to be vitiated. For even
 the good to mingle with the bad as compan- ions is dangerous. The chances are that in stead of feeding them with higher thought
 they will deaden with their lower life. "Who
 lies down with dogs,' says the Oriental pro- verb, ''rises with aeas." And a Spanish pro- verb says, "Live with wolves and you will learn to howl"
 More than this, said Mir. Buck in closing, evil companionship will bring ruin. There are multitudes of young men who will not be-
 lieve this. Wise in their conceit, they think
 they can ningle with vicious company and ! not be hurt. Ruinous deception! He who associates with vile persons is a companion l of fools," and both Scripture and observation
 declare "a companion of fools shall be de-
 stroyed."
 There was large audience present, who l listened with deep interest to the words of
 the speaker.
 The next sermon in the course will be on s'The Choice of 8 Wife,