The Newtown bee., 1892-09-02
Friendship.

benevolence. That only deserves the name of friendship which is based on moral principle and is sustained by sin , cerity and goodness. It would seem, that in order to seal friendship, there should be close intimacy, congeniality of spirit and kindredness of affection. There are minds greatly deficient in the true elements of cohesion and there are others where selfishness so predominates as to form an inseparable barrier to genuine friendship. There is much more of the profession of friendship in the world than of the reality; and many who bear the name migrate as the seasons alter to warmer and more sunny climes. Man is evidently formed and evidently designed for receiving and reciprocating friendly ' spirit and it is evident that much of our happiness in this life is interwoven with | it.
 Ingenuousness,c courtesy, goodness and sympathy are it's essential elements, and constancy one of it's most lovely attri- butes; for "a friend loveth at all times. :" Fidelity and candor are indispensable to it's health and vigor and fiattery and dis stimulation it's bane and ruin. Friendship is often most strikingly exhibited in lit tie things, and those who are indifferent to these seldom are blessed with friend ship worth having, or retain that which is worth enjoying.
 Forget not those who have been the ! aE 'tThine own and thy fathers friend for sake not" The rich appear to have many friends; but those that Mammon gathers, ,one stroke of diversity will scat ter hence the patriarch Job exclaimed, "All my friends abhorred me and they who I loved are turned against me-"
 If thou hast been so favored as to have one real friend, be thankful; esteem and reciprocate his affection.
 "For man that hath friends must show himself friendly"
 Envy hath often corroded it, suspicion blighted it, and anger consumed it.
 Kindness is the atmosphere where this plant of loveliness can vegetate and bloom, and the frosts of uncharitable- ness inevitably destroy it.
 The Scripture presents many delight ful instances of friendship in the highest and most dignified exhibitions. How beautifully was it evinced in the history of Ruth and Naomi, as the Moabitish widow exclaimed, s'Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest will go, and where thou lodgest will lodge, thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest will l die, and there will be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me-"
 How nobly it existed between David and Jonathan? Observe the sympathetic dirge of the sweet singer of Israel, "How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle. Jonathan, thou vast slain in thine high places. I am distres- sed for thee, my brother Jonathan. Very pleasant hast thou been unto me i; thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perish ed."
 How kind and courageous the friend ship of OnesiphOrus for the inspired apostle of the Gentiles, and which he has thus engraven on the page of revelat- ion: ''The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus, for he oft refresh I T ehax OH 1 chain. But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me. And in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very we'll"
 But friendship in this grandest and most sublime manifestation was presnted in the life and mission of Him, who, though ."He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his pover- ty might be made rich.''
 Whether we contemplate the character and station of the Redeemer, or the un- worthiness of the objects of his regard, or the price He paid to effect their well being, this is the climax of all that is great, and generous, and glowing in friendship; and throughout time and eternity will have no parallel nor fit resemblance.
 A feeble imitation of it is seen in the good will of His people toward one an- other and in their love and mercy toward their perishing fellow men,
 Friendship counsels with wisdom and kindness, sympathizes with tenderness and assists with cheerfulness.
 Friendship abideth mid misfortunes, endureth assaults of malevolence, gives countenance amidst reproaches, consoles in diversity, visits in affliction, lives be- yond death and fourishes in eternity.
 Hence it pines not with the wasting of disease, expires not with the stroke of mortality and decays not in the grave of putrescence. Friendships formed on goodly principles on earth become ever greens, and thrive with celestial bloom in the goodly land that is afar off.
 Be not hasty in admitting assuming friends into the chambers of thine heart, l or making them the objects of thy trust but, whilst candidly and charitably hop ing the best, yet forget not that the fel- | low man is often broken reed; and the wise man saith, that ssconfidence in an unfaithful man, in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint.'' Conduct myself towards thy friends that they cannot hate thee, nor yet despise thee and, if possible, that they must honor and love thee.
 Be not easily offended and guard