The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-05-08
SINCERE FRIENDSHIP.
the Mere Exchange of Social or
business Courtesies


There is no word in the English Ian
guage which is oftener misused an
misconstrued than that of friend"
The definitions given by the diction-
aries are broad, and cover many phases
of social intercourse, yet precedence
is invariably given to a relation where
genuine affection is the underlying
motive, and it is in that especial sense
that the word appeals to us. There is
in this earthly life of ours no gift we
can receive which compares with that
of sincere friendship on the part of
others, or of another even, for our
selves. The man or woman who can
rest secure in the possession of even
one disinterested friend, one who will
love and trust and serve and defend,
however appearances may be against
one, is rich indeed, and life should hold
for such a never failing source of
strength and inspiration, writes Eliza
beth Robbins Berry, in Boston Budget.
To be what our friend believes us to
be, and strive to achieve that of which
~ 'AihNs Us Va BdDlCs - INC btSb pOS-
sible impetus, and how strong we are
even when generally misunderstood
and blamed, with our highest motives
miscOnstrued, and our best efforts
proved of no avail-what a sense of
satisfaction we experience, in the
thought that the one friend under
stands, approves, sympathizes.
1t is sometimes little difficult for
time to distinguish the false friend
from the true. When all is moving
smoothly, when fortune smiles upon
us, when our efforts are successful,
and we have gained the applause of
the multitude, then friends CO. flock
about us, and our cup of happiness
seems for time to be full. But the
day of adversely comes, ones star of
popular favoritism wanes. and all ones
acts are doubted, and we seem to be
left almost alone, save for the one in
dividual whose friendship shines forth
as does a diamond of wondrous purity
from an unrelieved background of
sable velvet.
1t may be said that all persons do not
possess even one such friend, and such
statement is, no doubt. true. Such
friendship cannot be made to order.
There must be capability of re-
Spouse to such a noble sentiment in
one who would inspire it, and true
friendship is largely intuitive. Some
one has said that the genuine friend
is discovered, not made. and the state
ment is a true one. To the individuals
predestined by Complementary quail
ties of mind and heart to become
friends, there comes day of meeting,
and soul responds to soul instinctively,
without the preliminary of gradual &C
quaintance or the exchange of social
credentials.
Sex plays no part in the highest
form of friendship. 1t may exist be-
tween man and man, or woman and
woman. or between those of opposite
sex. The biographies of many men
who have achieved positions of emf
nence show that the friendship of
some woman of superior character
and attainment was source of in
Epiration and encouragement, and
that, too, oftentimes, without any ad-
mixture of sentiment. Many women.
too, owe their mental and spiritual
awakening to some male friend who
discovered in them capabilities Of
which they were themselves I'M
aware.
Even love itself depends for per-
petuity upon having strong founda-
ton of sterling friendship. "Friend-
ship is love without its wings" When
a man and woman elect to spend their
lives together, there must be some
thing stronger than mere attraction
if hey would avoid disaster. Physical
charms will fade, and when the roman
tic glamour becomes a thing of the
past, and the realities of life must be
faced, without sentiment or disguise,
only the sincerest and most reliable
of friendship will bear the strain sue
cessfully. The happiest homes are
those where husband and wife cooper
ate heartily in all that concerns the
best welfare of each, where they are
comrades, supporters, friends.