The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-12-25
Broken Friendship.

The sweet word friendship is
expressive of a relationship that
may contribute materially to the
happiness of those who are thus
linked together. tits supposed
to be based upon intimate aud
somewhat prolonged acquaint-
ance between the parties. 1t is
thus the result of slow growth,
and yet there is something back
of this and out of which grows
this beautiful relationship. There
al e those to whom we become at
tached, as friends from our first
introduction. We feel that there
is something in them that meets
want of our own being. We are
naturally drawn toward such per-
sons, and we seek that intimacy
which fosters the growth of un-
alloyed affection. Such friend
ships are more lasting than those
produced under any other cir
instances.
But, however formed, friend
ship is a natural human want.
We are not simply sociable by ma
ture. We are never satisfied with
mere society. We must have
friends bound to us and we to
them by intimate and confidential
ties, Into this soul privacy not
all can be admitted, and those
who would dwell sweetly together
in this inner sanctuary of hum an
love must have somewhat kindred
spirits. Then, there are pleas
ures to be tasted which ennoble
and beautify the soul; intercourse
to be enjoyed that will prove pre-
cious seasons during their con-
tinuance and that will furnish
pleasurable memories in the long
after years.
If friendship is so sweeta bond
with what care should we pro-
tect it that it be not broken. It's
conditions are simple. It's first
law in sincerity.
The friendship of the world is
often called hollow. That which
it. most lacks is sincerity. This
lack of the very first quality of
continued life will make it evanes
cent. 1t cannot bear the strains
that at time it will be subjected
to. And whenever the heart that
confides in such a friend, dis
covers the absence of sincerity,
the friendship, which has all the
time been one-sided, must cease.
To continue, then, this precious
relationship must be sincerity.
So must there be mental conf
dence. We must feel assured
that we can trust our friend. -
Our interests must be secure in
his keeping. If there be no as
surance that our good name and
our soul-secrets which may be
confided to a friend will be sa-
credly kept, there can be no con-
tinued friendship. Confidence
implies the confiding, the trust
ing of something. That some
thing most usually is the secrets
of our hearts and of our lives.
And how often do we want some
one to whom they can be conf
ded. Such confidence enhances
human joys, it mitigates human
heart-sorrows, and lessons life's
heavy trials and vexatious bur-
denS.
Mutual interest is essential to
friendship. Selishness and
friendship dwell not together in
the same heart. A soul so intent
on it's own interests has no re
sponsive chord to the touch of a
loving heart. This outgoing of
the soul in warm sympathy with
the interests of others must ever
be experienced, if we would have
true friends. If thon wouldst
have friends show thyself friend
ly, is the language alike of expe-
rience and inspiration.
And, now, if we would never
realize the unhappiness of broken
friendship, we must keep sacred
these conditions. Then distance
may separate time may run into
years trials may test our fidei- |
ty new relations may be estab-
lished, but still the blooming im.
mortelle of friendship will contin.
ua IN shed its fraorance ovar our