Bisbee daily review., 1918-03-24

he frIendShlp between U a V u uiC psalrnist, and Jonathan the gentle son of the fierce king, Saul, is one of the most beautiful classics of the Bible No charac- ter in all the world of history, song and letters approaches that of Jonathan in gentleness, courage and lovable qualities, unless it be Joan of Arc. the heroine Of old France In fact, when enc considers them, the brave young prince of the old times, and the brave young peasant girl of some twenty centuries later, they ale found to be much alike Both were delicate and beau tiful in person; both were modest, lovable and kind Both lived gallantly and died grandly for their county cause.
 David, the shepherd, singer and king, was probably the greatest hero of the He brew race. In fact, he stands out as one of the greatest and most gifted of all the sons of men, And the passion of David's life was his love for Jonathan, the first born son of Saul, first king of the Jews. David had been chosen by God to succeed Saul as king. That meant he was ordained from on high to reign over Israel instead of Jonathan, lawful heir to the crown. Yet these two young men, heirs to. enc throne, counted a single hair of either ones head as a greater thing than any throne. They loved each other with love passing the love of women" They were friends, com rades, brothers. The glitter of power could not divert their unchanging affection, nor the poison of ambition kill their love. Con- sider, when David, known as the usurper soon to be of his throne, was hunted by Saul s slayers, Jonathan warned and saved him. Consider, when Jonathan, heir to the throne, was dead, David, king by that death, wept over him and was moved to the greatest sorrow of his life.
 Many men use their friends Pride, ann bition, love of money, these are enemies of friendship If friend stands in the way of fortune, we push him aside. If a friend can help us we cultivate him. It friend is far distant we forget him. Alas, that ii Is so.
 Thank God for the friendship of David and Jonathan as light and an ideal for the ages Thank God that remnant of that spirit and love and unselfishness and nobii- ity remains to this day.
 The friend of the old daysl When you meet him, after long years how the heart is moved by warm and fine emotions. You KNOW he does not love you for your place and power and influence, but for yourself. And you love him simply and solely be- cause he is your friend. Would do and dare things for him you would not venture for yourself.
 Fame is fleeting and gold is dross But friendship brings glow to the heart and a happiness to the soul that nothing else on earth can bring. It makes us better and stronger and more unselfish than we really are.
 q am distressed for thee, Jonathan, mourned the hero who had killed Goliath of Gath Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. What was mere throne to David's great and loyal and broken heart as he bent in sorrow over the body of his friend, Jonathan, slain in battle? This shepherd boy, chosen by God to be king because of his simple and modest worth, showed here the very quality that had won for him this Heavenly favor His love for his friend outweighcd eve.y other earthly thing and overflowed his scul in this immortal lament.
 An, Jonathan, thou gentle one; thou kings son with kings heart Brave as lion, gentle as child and true to thy friend. The greatest warrior, poet and king of all the ages was stricken to the heart by thy untimely end. What greater epitaph than thisl A temple of friendship foi thy monu- ment, so high so bright, that it can be seen from the uttermost corners of the earth forever and forever!