Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-18

II has been we'll said that mother"
Is the hottest word In the English Ian
guaGe. Next to mother, the term
friend" should carry with 1t like hal
lowed Significance. And 1t does where
the obligations OF friendship are right
ly appreciated. But as intliscriminately
used the term conveys no definite
meaning. as most OF us. rich and poor
alike, sooner or later find out AS
ordinarily used, the term friend" is
synonymous with recognized acquain-
lance" and recognized" is used ad-
viscdly. for when fortune proves tickle
and one la forced into the ''down-and-
out club" even that faint semblance Of
once valued friendship" ceases in
most Instances to operate to the main
tenance OF the familiar relationships OF
the past. Hence II is no wonder that
the disguised poet defined friendship
as but a name, charm that lulls
to sleep, shade that follows wealth
or fame. but leaves the wretch to
weep
But. happily. we may turn aside from
this dIscouraging picture and find writ
In immortal history many examples of
where men have measured up 10 the
true and fun meaning OF the term
friend" These have come TO those
whom they professed to love when
misfortune's heavy hand fell upon them
and lifting them from the dust of their
humiliation. have flied their lives
again with hope and cheer. Nor are
these examples OF true friendship con-
hned to the pages OF history-they arc
occurring every day in our own midst
They are the deeds that the angel IL
inrcriblnE in the Book OF Life. In the
mad rush after the things which per-
isheth with the using these instances
which prove that ii touch Of the Divine
nature still exists In humantys breast,
fire. MI
bly, because they occur oftcnest in the
humber walks Of life. but they are
the deeds which tend TO cement hu-
manity together In hope and faith.
MAGNIFIEs RELATIONSHIP
OF THE TERM "FRIEND"
Throughout the Scriptures the ra-
cred relationship of the term friend
Is maEnifed. "A friend loveth at all
times." and There is "a friend that
stickcth closer than II brother" wrote
the Wise Man. So when Christ Him
self affirmed that He was called "A
friend OF publicans and sinners" lie
revealed to the world depth OF love
that must grow NOR and more into
the hearts of the people as the ages
that the Father has said shall bring
all the nations of the earth into recon
element with His will we all know
who the 'publicans ard sinuers'' were
Iney were the dcSpiSCd classes of the
age and country in which Christ per-
formed His mission on earth They
may have vcntnred into the temple oc-
casionally, hut we may rest assured
they did not sit in the pews. They
perhaps found standing room near the
door. where they could max" a nasty
ext when some naughty Pharisct sit
ing in the amen corner CHANGED IN
glance in that direction. No. they had
no standing In religious or social cir
cies, Yet Christ Jesus walked famiI-
iariy among them and was called their
friend.
What precious thought. then. is
contained in the text. He was called
"A friend OF publicans and sinners"
mink what il means to possess tn"
friendship Of one. Of whom St paul
wrote Wherefore God also hath high
~ exalted Him. and given Him a name
which Is above every name: that a,
The name Ct Jesus every knee should
bow. OF things in Heaven. and things
IN earth and things under the "arth:
and that every tongue should confess
that jesus Christ is Lord. TO the glory
OF Coo the Father"