Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1905-08-16

His friends full away from Him. The
true friend is he who stands by GOO
when strange and cruel things happen
that cannot be explained, who main
tains confidence in the divine goodness
when others deny it, who defends
Gods name when others impugn it,
who says with Job, though He slay
me, yet will 1 trust Him" God will
never forget %stanchness like that.
Generosity is one of the lovely traits
of true friendship. 1t comes out in
feeling. in conduct and in special tok-
ems in the form of gifts.
The ancients illustrated this in the
story of Damon and Pythias. Pythias
was condemned to death, but begged
leave to go home and arrange his af-
fairs. His friend Damon took his place
in prison. In the end in the nick of
time, Pythias returned and surrendered
himself. Because Of the spectacle Of
such a friendship he was p%ardoned.
But the interest of the story centres in
Damon lying in prison while the days
of Pythias' absence lengthen and the
time of execution draws near. For not
only was Damon content to endure i'm
prisonment for his friend, but far be-
yond that he was prepared to die in
his place.
The story is no doubt a fairy tale,
but is gives us a true lesson, and has
had influence upon the civilized concep-
ton of friendship. And as applied to
our relationship to God it is suggest
i've. II our friendship to Him is genu-
inc it will bear the mark of generosity.
There have been not a few friends Of
God ready to die, if need be, for Him.
And yet there are many who render
to God what they like rather than what
He likes. Sometimes presents are
given among us on the same irrational
basis. You have seen a poor young
couple receive from some rich ac-
qua1ntance an absurd wedding present
of a costly piece of bric-a-brac which
would be utterly out Of place in their
modest parlor, and would divert an
amount of money which would have
been a great help in practical form.
The donor consulted his desire rather
than theirs.
So is it often with mems gifts to
God; they give Him what they like
rather than what He likes. In Jere-
miah's age they offered sacrifices of
bullocks and goats. In Christ's day
they performed elaborate religious GER
emonies and wore phylacteries and
fringes. In medieval times they did
peDance and paid money. To-day they
erect costly churches and enuOw col
legeS. But if we would please God we
must consult His wishes in our gifts
and not u own. And what does God
like best? A pure heart, q humble and
cOntrite spirit, days free from evil,
practical thoughts of kindness for 9th
ers, homes of real devotion. sacrifices
of money from genuine love Of His
work. words of honest testimony for
Him in public and private. These are
the things God likes, and thou who
love Him even offer them to Him.
In the fourteenth century, when the
moral and spiritual state of Christen-
dom was dark. a group of noble souls
banded themselves together to strive
after holiness. Their headquarters
We're at Strassburg and Cologne. Their
greatest member was John Tauler. the
celebrated preacher. whose printed SER
mons made a deep impression on Lu-
Their. The influence of those men was
performed and abides to this day. But
the thing to notice especially about
them was their name: they called
themselves "The Friends of God"
Is there not a place for such people
in the life of to-day? Men are apt to
become.so absorbed in the concerns Of
this life as to neglect God altogether,
and when they do think of Him it is
often with the desire chiefly to get
something from Him. How sordid and
unworthy this all is. We ought to
have our relationship on a higher level.
Is it not possible for us to appreciate
His grandeur and goodness for their
own excellence? Can we not like Him
for what He is? AS He looks down
upon a considerably Indifferent world,
can we not give Him the happiness of
letting Him see that we are HIS
friends? And when trouble bewilders
us let us still believe in Him; when
His good name is assalled. let us de-
fend Him; when He wants some one
to do His work, let us say, Here am
l, send me-"
We are familiar enough with the idea
that God is our friend. But the QueS-
ton is who are willing to be friends of
GOdr