Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1905-08-19

true friend IL be WHO stannS py Oc1 i
when strange and cruel things happen
that cannot be explained. who main
talns confidence I'm the divine goodness
when others deny ~. who defends
Gods name when others smpugn II.
who says with Job. though He slay
me yet will I trust Him. Cod VIII
never forget stanchness like that.
Generosity is one OF the lovely traits
OF true friendship. TX comes out In
feeling. in conduct and In special tok-
ems an the form OF gifts.
The ancients illustrated this in the
story OF Damon and Pythias. Pythias
was condemned to death. but begged
leave TO 20 home and arrange his af-
fairs. His friend Damon took his place
i'm prison. In the end In the nick OF
time Pythias returned and surrendered
himself Because OF the spectacle OF
such friendship he was pardoued-
But the interest OF the story centres In
! Damon lying I'm prison while the days
Of Pythias' absence lengthen and the
/ time Of execution draws near. For not
only was Damon content 20 endure inn
prisonmcnt for his friend. but FAR be-
I yond that be was prepared 20 die tn
I his place.
The story IS no doubt fairy tale.
/ but is gives US n true lesson and has
T had influence upon the civilized conccp-
ton OF friendship. And as applied TO
/ our relationship 10 God 10 lis suggest
/ i've. II our friendship 20 Him ifs genu-
inc IL will bear the mark OF generosity.
| There have been not few friends OF
God ready 10 die. IL need be. for Him
And yet there are many who render
60 God what they like rather than wha
lie likes. Sometimes presents are
/ given among us Ola the same irrational
basis. You have seen q poor young
/ couple receive from some rich ac-
Quaintaucc an absurd wedding present
OF a costly piece Of bric-a-hrac which
would be utterly ont Of place I'm their
modest parior. and would divert au
. amount OF money which would have
been great help in practical form
( The donor consulted his desire rathel
than theirs.
, So Is 10 often with mems gifts q,
God. they give Him what they hk'
E rather than what He likes. TIE Icre
h. . miah's age they offered sacrifices o
bulocks aud goats. I'm Chrl~ts jag
, they performed elaborate religious ccr
n cmonioS and wore phylacter'eS aut
% frinccs In medieval times they dl'
/. peuauce ana paid money. To-day thc
o. erect costly churches AMI culow col
loges But II we would please Cod w
" must consult His wishes in our gft
and noe our own. And what does Go
like hcsts a pure heart. humble au
I. contrite spirit days free from evi
!. practical thoughts 90 kindness for otl
= ers. homes OF real devotion. sacrificed
q OF money FROM genuine love of III
!. work. words OF honest testimony g,
- Him in public and private. These ar
s., the things God NkcS. and thou WI
J., love Him even oner them to Him.
~ In the fourteenth century. when 81
n moral and spiritual state OF Christie
/, dom was dark "a group az noble son
II banded themselves together to strl'
IN after holiness Their hcatQuartc
,o were at Stra sshurE and Cologne. The
,t greatest member was John Ilulcr. 81
~ / celebrated preacher. whose printed ST.
IN mons made "a deep impression OH I.
Their. The influence Of those men rs.
d / performed and abides 90 this day. Is
80 the thing To notice especially aho
In them was their name. they calu
Is. themselves 'rhe Friends OF God"
% is there not place Tor such peoI
~ I'm the life OF to-day? Men are apt
be become SO absorbed ia the concerns
this life as 90 neglect God 0lto-ethl
+v and when they DO think OF Him BE-
II. often with the desire chiefly 90 e
no something from Him. How sordid O.
NJ unworthy this all IS. We ought
- have our relationship on higher lev
"a Is 10 not possible for us 90 appreci.
co. His grandeur and goodness FOR th
,ot own excellence Can we not like II
nj FOR what He is2 As He looks do
upon a considerably Indifferent wor
nc can we not give Him the happiness
-e letting Him see that we are
,vn friendsg And when trouble bewild
mo us let us stiu believe I'm Him, WI
ION / His good name is assaulted. let Us
att iend rim, Wheh re wants S,lue
her 20 do HS work. let us say hete
.er / I. send me-"
OF We are familiar enough with the l.
,at- that God is our friend. But the qr
,er- tlon is who are willing 20 be friends
the GOdt