The Washington times., 1903-08-22

cause OF Israel. stood in the presence
of Saul and Jonathan, with the drip-
ping head of Goliath in his hand, the
soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul
Of David and he loved him as his own
soul"
2. 1t was a religious love- II was
founded upon common faith in Je-
hovah, the God OF Israel Jonathan was
won and fascinated by David on account
of his sublime faith and courageous
trust in God. A mutual faith in the
same God and Saviour is like a magnet
TO draw souls together in sympathy
and affection. The best type of love
exists between Christian people 1t
was Jonathan's trust in the character
and submission to the will of Jehovah
that made him willing to see David
ascend the throne OF Israel instead OF
himself.
3. 1t was the love of successful man
for his rival-the love of a prince for
peasant. whom he knew was destined
to suDersede him This one feature OF
the friendship between Jonathan and
David has no parallel in classic
times In the natural course of
things it would have been human for
Jonathan 70 have disliked end opposed
David. and for David to have envied
and worked against Jonathan. Men
generally dislike. and even hate. their
rivals and competitors
This friendship was founded upon the
moral worth of both. Each was worthy
of the others admiration Each was a
man of honor and principle A lasting
friendship can only be built up upon
integrity of character. The better the
character in both parties, the better The
friendship. Rascals cannot be true to
each other long. Scoundrels can
not love. David's character was sound
at the core. Charles Reade calls him
the widest character on record And
Jonathan was one OF the most heroic
and engaging personalities in the annals
OF ancient Israel''-one of the finest and
most beautiful characters in the Old
Testament
5. This friendship was founded upon a
feeling of unselfshness and the spirit
of self-sacrifce- Jonathan was the
golden rule exemplified." His unset
hshness is one OF his remarkable char
acteristics. Jonathan's love was more
wonderful than DaYid's, because he gave
most. He had a most wonderful ca
pacity for loving" Jonathan was willing
for David to have his crown; at the same
time David did not desire to deprive
Jonathan OF his crown. He did nothing
TO supplant Jonathan He only bided
patiently the manifestation of the will
OF God In his life, and did his duty dis
interestedly as he saw it.
1t is possible for friends to love each
other better than they do themselves;
TO prefer one another in honor and
prosperity. 1T is the glory of life to
love, not to be loved; TO give, not TO
get; TO serve. not to be served" I'VE
want to be the givers, like Kings: the
helpers. like Hercules; the Saviours, like
Christ"
g. This friendship was based upon
fundamental likeness of character The
circle of one friends nature must in
tersect the others at some strong point.
Entire opposites cannot like each other.
In friendship there must be essential
similarity with minor differences. not
identity but harmony"
Z. Their friendship was inclusive. not
exclusive. Because Jonathan loved Da-
vid this did not make him untrue 10 his
father. He was a faithful son to Saul
until the day Of his death. It is possi-
bic to love people who do not love each
other
8. 1t was a friendship maintained in
adversity and separation. II is true still
that friend IN need is a friend indeed.
9. It was a friendship that found ex-
preston in words. 'If you love anybody
tell them So