The Washington herald., 1909-04-11
By THE OPTISIIsT.

almost unanimous in your approval OF
the subject for discussion. Some Of you
have written me personal letters stating
that you deem Friendship" a higher
term than even Love itself. although
] myself am inclined TO think that the
two emotions are so very near OF kin
that ii takes deep analysis 10 differenti-
ate between them. ] made q point two
weeks ago OF emphasizing that feeling Of
brotherly love which is so necessary TO
our mental and moral progress. At that
time I had in my mind. and I am sure
sou all must have felt something of the
kind also. that no man can love another
unless he has first entertained for him
deep and lasting friendship. Friendship
in this sense means the true attitude Of
affection that no influence Of any kind
may destroy; the friendship. in other
words. for which men are willingly put
10 death. or for which they glory in sac
rificing themselves.
Greater love hath no man than this:
that he lay down his life for his friend %
This beautiful line. which comes into
the mind constantly when the subject OF
friendship is suggested. shows to US
clearly, Just as it was intended it should,
the great sympathy and inseparableness
Of love and friendship.
Jeremy Taylor. in his splendid essay
on the nature and Offices Of friendship,
says:
7 account that one OF the greatest
demonstrations OF real friendship that a
friend can really endeavor to have his
friend advanced in honor, in reputation.
in the opinion OF wit or learning, before
him."
Friendship is above the petty jealOusies.
the mean considerations Of life Unless
we feel this We cannot be said 10 under
stand or estimate the true meaning OF
the word. What noble examples Of the
honor IN which friendship was held can
be cited. Perhaps the earliest message
We have Of the bond between two men
is that regarding David and Jonathan.
and down through the ages has this
story come 90 us as a beautiful heritage
that Biblical history has preserved for
Us. Damon and Pythias have also come
20 stand for all that is frank and honest
and self-sacrihcing within the meaning OF
the word friendship. And literature gives
Us many other attractive friendships.
with attendant instances Of self-denial
and abnegation, OF noble characters
whose thoughts and endeay0rs were for
the benefit Of others
IN The Tale Of Two Cities" Dickens
created Sydney Carton. first introduced
As a man upon whose fine intellect dis
guSting besuality has set a bar. His love
for Lucie Manette he realized could never
be more than a pang and a heartache
50 he set upon himself the task Of be-
coming her friend and the friend Of the
man she loved. "To save life she
loves" was on Cartons lips as he changed
clothes with Charles Darhay and mounted
in his stead TO the guilloune. Dickens
never created more sublime character
than Carton. who laid down his life for
q friend
Cyrano de Bergerac. for the sake of his
friend Christian. gave up the love OF
Roxane. and even showed his friend how
10 make love so that ne might win the
lady's regard. Self-enacement for a friend
suffering and anguish in his heart, but a
smile Of encouragement upon the face
that is a test Of friendship. To become
immortal one must have had a friend
and for that friend have suffered.
Is Il not worth something of sorrow
something Of trial. to grasp the hand Oi
friend? We pass through the fiery
furnace. but we come out chastened anc
clothed in the glory Of friendship.
Optimists know the value Of friends
We deny that the world has grown self
ish. We may recognize the careless ten
Of a T.r~
aside the sentiment and the tenderness
but we know that men and women TO-
day appreciate the best that is in life
Sentiment is there, deep down in ths
heart Of hearts. but many Of us art
ashamed 10 acknowledge II. We go OF
our practical busy ways. relegating TO ths
-ear the thoughts that, II freely indulgeC
IN, would make Us better men anC
women. We often mistake interested
ness for friendship, 10 ind out that il il
unreal. and these experiences tend {,
harden the heart against the real friends
\ few disappointing experiences witt
supposed friends make one suspicious, anC
the true inwardness Of friendship get.
farther and farther away.
AS an Easter gift one Of the club mem
bers. Miss Edith V. Bradt. has sent me
volume Of her own poems. entitled Song,
by the Way" a little book fun Of chee
and brightness. I cannot refrain from
quoting on this page one Of the poems
"As Ye Would" which seems singul lri,
appropriate not only 10 the day and on
subject. but because it contains q helpful
message for US all.
As YE WOULD.
n should see
brother larruishipr gn sore sis,rs.s
And 7 should turn and leave him comfortlss.
When 7 might he
messenger of hops and happiness
How could ] ask TO have what I denied
In my own hour Of bitterness suppliedg
n might share
brothers load along the dusty way,
And I shOlld tum and walk alone that dav
How could / dare
When in the evening watch I ruelt 20 rray-
To ask for help 70 rear my pain and loss.
II bad needed not my brothers. cross
n might sing
A Httle song 20 cheer a fainti1g heart
And should seal nv lips and sit apart.
When 7 might bring
a bit Of sunshine for Hfs's sche and znars.
How could hope 10 hsvs my grief relieved
II kept silent when Iay brother grieved.
And 50 ] know
That day is lost wherein fan to lend
helping hand 20 some wayfaring friend:
But II IL show
4 isuden iightened BY the cheer I send.
Then do hold the golden hours well spent
And lay me 6Ssn % sleep in sweet csutent
Optirnists owe II to themselves and Z,
their sisters and brothers to foster tn
meaning Of friendship-by being friend
to spread the helpful doctrine amont
their fellow-creatures I hope that ever.
contribution upon this page to-day vii
reach the heart Of some one who Is Il
tlnLlht as 70 he rnaIIt.- nE f-so-lchlr,-