Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-10
FRIENDSHIP AND IT'S TIE.
BY Charles Emerson McPeek.

BY Charles Emerson McPeek.
In this progressive, throbing, swift
ly moving world of to-day, much, IL
not all the old-time sentiment OF
friendship is being swiftly done away.
And considering the demands upon
man, that is. if he would keep apace
with the times. it leaves no room to
marvel at such conditions; indeed, the
more one ponders upon it, the nearer
he comes to the conclusion that 1t is
wonder it mas not long ere this, de-
generated to a far more secluded past.
The day hours SO full of hustle, en-
ergy and confusion, together with the
cares that naturally arise from such
ceaseless activity, leaves scant time
for indulgence in sentiment, let that
sentiment be of ever so hallowed or
sacred a nature,
The evenings are even less calculat-
ed to permit one to see-. the company
of those friends that ne holds most
near; for, the social demands must be
given their quota of time, since 1t Is
the social as well as the business quail
ificationS of a man that keeps him
abreast of the up-todate. And when
we speak of social duties, it certainly
indicates nothing near akin to friend
ship.
The conventionalities of social life as
it is in this day, invites anything but
friendlness; it rather possesses ten
dency to display finely polished man
ners and extreme politeness, which, to
be sure, are in a way rightly SO; but
it opens up no way, gives forth no en-
couragement to cultivate friendships
as they used to be.
Assuredly, it is not in these days as
it was in the old. And from the con-
ditions that exist, it cannot be wonder
ed at that a friendship more ephemeral
takes the throne of that deeper, truer
affection that constitutes friendship in
it's highest degree; we cannot, after all
this is laid bare but feel that, true
friendship is, alas, sadly on the wane.
In This age, friendship means more
often a mutual agreement of soclab1ll-
ty; mutual regard for the things that
amuse and coincide in general with the
characters of our Individual self or
with our natures and our tastes. Re-
garded as a class, friendship conveys
little that enriches affection.
There is possibly no word in com
mon use, more degraded, more used
with gross carelessness than that OF
friendship; it can be applied to most
any desired end. 1t is word that COW
ers much, and when used in its deep
er meaning, means vastly more than
it is capable Of covering.
True friendship is not OF mans ere
alton. True, he can aid, and should
aid it to bear it's richest fruit, but man
cannot produce it. 1t comes from the
soul as much if not more than does
any power that is the possession OF the
human being. 1t is the Hottest passion
that can be felt, and can only be ex-
celled by the love of God.
True friendship is passion so rare
and so beautiful, that it should be
guarded with Jealous care, and never
permitted to be touched nor sullied by
the worlds cold criticism. True friend
shin is not created in day, and seldom
within a year; the greater the difficult
ties. the more adverse the conditions
through which such friendship is OBJ
tanned, the deeper, the grander, it will,
in its affection be; the Hottest friend
ship is frequently an end accomplished
after numerous years of struggling.
1t is so deep, so high, so broad that
there Is no word that can justly ex-
pound it; it is a sentiment so pure, so
sacred, so hallowed that when we cease
after merely praising it, we lower it.
1t never receives its proper praise until
it is exalted There is no realm too
high to claim it for its own.
True friendship in its higher state
comes to man but seldom in a lifetime.
Oftener it comes but once; occasionally
twice and seldom thrice, often never.
1t has been said that friendship passes
the love of man for woman. Indeed
that is much, but not unreasonable.
In that love that man bestows upon
woman. there is something 30 crafty.
God and nature made it so. 1t matters
not how pure and lawful both in the
sight of He and the laws of the land
this grain becomes it is still a some
thing to gain; a remuneration for hav-
ing bestowed his affection. 1t may be
the highest type of affection. pure,
sacred and hallowed; the yearning a
production from the Divine hand, yet,
it has something to gain, something
either selfish or un5elfsh, it matters
not; even though such gain be the right
and law of nature.
But not so in the relations of true
friendship. There is neither mans nor
Gods law TO observe. Nature nor God
has willed it that there be gain either
from the qualification of passion nor a
yearning of whatsoever character, ex-
cept it be a yearning TO aid, to be
worthy of the friendship of its friend
1t asks nothing, and only secretly
Graves even a return of affection; true,
1t is happiest when its affection is re-
turned; but it is still happy in being
privileged in giving all and receiving
nothing
True friendship knows no Jealousy.
If the object of its affection should win
sobe object that has been its friends
chiefest saim and pride. 1t covets not;
it meekly, almost reverently bids God-
speed; happy that you are happy, glad
that you are glad. It - hapriest In