The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-10-21
Wayside MeditatiOns
By "Optino'
q Friendship.
By "Optinao.'
Friendship.

uOCn, Will IudC weak UIdlL VI our
character, Instead of replying in
kind, thus adding fuel to the flames,
he simply ignores the momentary
outburst, and our anger ia dispelled
as readily as darkness gives way be-
fore the advance of the sun.
But the sympathy of true friend
ship has far greater latitude than
this. In an evil hour we have COM
mitted All offence for which we are
hailed before a legal tribunal; our
erstwhile friendship know us not
any more, but there are those who
in such time of stress prove them
selves friends indeed. These are
they who realize the fact that they
themselves are fallible, even as are
each and all of the human family.
Some are more fallible than are
others. but the individual who is
truly our friend, considers himself
lest haply he be overcome by some
evil influence and be overtaken in a
fault.
This leads us up to the second
evidence of true friendship, i. e.,
constancy. God grant unto us con-
slant friends! Not the friend of a
day merely, but the friend of life
time. Not the fair weather friend
90 who is glad TO know us when
he armament of our life is resplend-
ent with the glory of successful
achievement, and when to know us
and be friendly to us will enhance
his prospects for success in the
social or business world, but who
when the storm clouds of trouble
cast their shadow athwart our path
way, and we stand lonely and for
lorn, while the fury of the tempest
near o'erwhelms us, leaves US to the
tender mercies of an unkind fate.
From such as these, Almighty God
deliver us!
Again, a friend is a confdante.
One in whom we may safely confide
our dearest secrets. Such an one
was Mother. How dear are those
days of long ago, when our childish
troubles-and they seemed as real
to us as any that have come our way
in maturer age-caused us to seek
the best earthly friend man ever
had-Mother, and while she smooth
ed our trouble furrowed brow, kissed
the grief-moisture from our eyes,
and held our form, quivering with
childish sorrow, to her bosom pull
sating with motherlove, we poured
into willing ears our version of the
cause of our grief. What a relief
and joy it was to have some one in
whom we could confide. Favored
indeed is that man who. when
mother has been gathered unto the
unnumbered hosts of departed souls,
has won for himself other friends
who are glad to share his griefs, and
who hold his condolences inviolate.
True friendship is unselfish and
self sacrificing. A friend rejoices
when honors and emoluments are
bestowed upon his friend. No pet
ty envyings, no selfish. mean jealous
les; for such traits are not found in
large hearted, broad-minded mag
nanimity; and the individual who is
not ge-hearted and magnanimous
is unworthy the name of friend.
Possessed of knowledge, judg-
ment and commonsense, friend is
invaluable as an advisor. This be-
cause he IS our FRIEND, and as such
will stoop to no petty meannesses,
chicanery nor intrigue to influence
us to take a certain step because
that action taken by us would mean
gain for himself. regardless of the
consequences to us. A friend will
observe the spirit of the Golden
Rule: DO unto others as We would
that others should do unto you,"
aud will not be governed by the
birthstone laden paraphrase: Do
| othars hofora thew do vOuo