SOCIAL LIFE. FRIENDSHIP. T is an old rule, and as authoritative as it is ok that he tan hath friends must show himself friendly." This is the spring IT of social life. When people become distant and evil innan ve in the interchange of little attentions and kinds o cative and indifferent, social life dies out, and many of the retet pleasures of existence have no being. It is within the power of every person to show a friendly qur This does not depend upon learning, wealth, p character. The humblest, highest, worst and best, may na ba good disposition in relation to their fellow-beings. We are well aware that true friendship has its stropet besla tion in nobility of nature and purity of heart. As Cowper writKI "Whoever undertakes a friend's good part, Should be renewed in nature, pure in heart, "When enemies gather around, when sickness falls on the heart, when the world is dark and cheerless, is the time to try true friendship. They who turn from the scene of distress betray their hypocrisy, and prove that interest only moves them. If you have a friend who loves you-who has studied your interest and happiness-be sure to sustain him in adversity. Let him feel that his former kindness is appreciated, and that his love was not thrown away. Real fidelity may be rare, but it exists-in the heart. They only deny its worth and power who have never loved a friend, or labored to make one happy. The good and kind, the affectionate and the virtuous, see and feel the heavenly influence." They only deny new a power win or labored to ISE- OG ALLgg. Ty cui and kind the att and the virtuous, see and feel the heavenly inthems SOCIAL LIFE. FRIENDSHIP. is an old rule, and as authoritative as it is old, that "he that hath friends must show himself friendly." This is the spring of social life. When people become distant and cold, inactive in the interchange of little attentions and kindnesses, uncommunicative and indifferent, social life dies out, and many of the sweetest pleasures of existence have no being. It is within the power of every person to show a friendly spirit. This does not depend upon learning, wealth, position, or even character. The humblest, highest, worst and best, may manifest a good disposition in relation to their fellow-beings. We are well aware that true friendship has its strongest foundation in nobility of nature and purity of heart. As Cowper wrote: "Whoever undertakes a friend's good part, "When enemies gather around, when sickness falls on the heart, when the world is dark and cheerless, is the time to try true friendship. They who turn from the scene of distress betray their hypocrisy, and prove that interest only moves them. If you have a friend who loves you-who has studied your interest and happiness-be sure to sustain him in adversity. Let him feel that his former kindness is appreciated, and that his love was not thrown away. Real fidelity may be rare, but it exists-in the heart. They only deny its worth and power who have never loved a friend, or labored to make one happy. The good and kind, the affectionate and the virtuous, see and feel the heavenly influence." |