Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1915-05-06

times.-Prov. lI:17.
There Is perhaps no narrative in all
history or literature which SO perfect
ly illustrates the conditions of friend.
ship as this which is before us. Jon
athan was every inch a man; affection
ate, sweet and tender, deeply pious
and withal loyal to both duty and
friends. His rights. AS the kings son,
he gladly set aside for David, whom he
loved as his owns soul tch. 1873;
2O:lo. Jonathan is IA great type of
the surrendered life lch. 23:lO.
!. Davld's Danger, w. 32-35. Three
times in the previous chapter wv. .,
IA. 800 we read that David behaved
himself wisely" saul eyed David"
". l9) and his jealous anger grew as
he gave vent to his hate. JOnathan's
desires for David drew the anger of
Saul t2O:3O). but it only put him more
upon his guard and made him more de-
termined, il possible, to save both
David and Saul.
Following Dayid's escape C1S:lS) he
consulted Jonathan regarding his
safety (2O.1-lO). They renewed their
covenant and swore fealty to each
other and to those of. their house
holds wv. HID. 1t is u standing re-
Duke that Christians treat so lightly
their %ovenant with the church and
with the world. David was safe at
Naioth t19:lS-24), for each company
sent after him, and Saul himself, were
hindered by the Spirit of Jehavah from
carrying out Saul's foul designs. This
seemed for the moment to humble
Saul col: Ps. SID. Jonathan,
though great and mighty, was not
strong enough to deliver his friend
from the renewed wrath of his father.
vain is the help of man." Our help
is in the Lord" Jonathan showed his
true friendship in that he told the eX-
act state of affairs to David ". 10Y.
When Saul became convinced that
Jonathan was taking David's part, he
tried to kill Jonathan and reviled the
mother who bore him ". 800. In his
loss OF s%elf.control Saul allowed David
to escape. Even so, sin overshoots its
mark. The contrast Is a dark one to
contemplate.
u. David Delivered, w. 35.42. Jon.
athan did not revile again ". 34) when
~insulted and assailed by his father,
and his manifestation of just anger
ifor his mother was reviled) was
quite different from that of his father.
Any attempt to reconcile Saul to Da.
vid ". 34) was a useless exposure to
danger and for Jonathan to be seen
with his friend would imperil his own
life. This explains the expedient of
shooting arrows in the field. Jonathan
shot his arrows beyond" l.. e.. David
must 60 beyond" and out of the reach
of Saul. David trusted Jonathan's tidel.
ity ". 23) when the test came, though
Jonathan might have good reason for
playing him false in order to promote
his W interests.
Diminishing the boy, Jonathan drew
near to David's hiding place, to the
south OF the stone Eel ". Al r. W,
where a most touching parting took
place between these two friends. First
Of all David bowed tremendously
three times. touching his head to the
ground, perhaps to show his mistaken
loyalty to Jonathan as the kings son.
This was but for a moment; as men of
the East and friends, they rushed to
each others arms and wept for a long
time. These were the manly tears of
their love and emotions. 1t has been
suggested that Jonathan should have
accompanied David as Gods elect
Heb. 1919, but we feel that duty
babe him to remain by the side of his
sin-stricken father.
The Lessons Of the Lesson. True
friendship costs. Gods love gave to
the world his Son. Jonathan's friend
ship for David was costly, but was
given gladly, not grudgingly. True
friendship neither forgets duty nor
neglects its desire towards the object
of its love. 1t Is not governed emotion.
ally, yet 1t disregards all other ties, II
they are wrong. Not even a father or
mother should lead us to wrong a
friend. When David came into power
he remembered the everlasting COW.
nant made with Jonathan 0I Sam.
$3.50. Our Son of David has made a
similar covenant with US (Acts 1921;
2:39). True friendship is OF slow
growth, but is not easily killed,
chilled by reverses. nor frozen by ad.
versity prov. 1920. True friendship
Is unseIfish. 1t gives and does not
seek.
True friendship 10 founded upon re.
Ilglon and the best friend. the ideal
friend, Is Jesus Christ.
That friendship which Is based D o
oaths, ritual and dues, Is not abiding,
nor true friendship, for it excludes all
who fail to possess the same pass
word or a sufficient amount of money.
That friendship which is based p o
e%xpediency, or a quid pro quo. is by
no means true friendship; it is as
ephemeral as the morning mist and as
frail as a chain Of sand.
The friendship which has as its COM.
mon center Gods best boon, the friend.
ship Of his Son. will, II 1t is true and
genuine, abide forever.
Today will be observed by mani
schools as Mothers day"