''y!rHiv(ri?i'fi'iiitlyi'i\itjvi'|i#iii'Hi^ 
 
Class. 
 
 Book 
 
 Copyright Nl 
 
 CDEmiCHT DEPOSIT. 
 
FRIENDSHIP 
 
 AND OTHER WRITINGS 
 
 by 
 
 ARTHUR FRANKLIN FULLER 
 
 Author of 
 
 THE JOYOUS LIFE CALIFORNIA POEMS 
 
 A BOOK OF POEMS MUSIC LORE 
 
 THE GOLDEN CHALICE 
 
 KATHLEEN AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 and Thirty-three Other Books 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 
 
 3646 Trinity Street Los Angeles, California 
 
 Printed by The Wayside Press 
 \ 311 East Fourth Street, Los Angeles 
 
 1920 
 
•\ 
 
 
 \r 
 
 <^'^^ 
 
 COPYRIGHT DECEMBER, I920 
 
 BY 
 
 ARTHUR FRANKLIN FULLER 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 M -3 1921 
 ©CI.A608006 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 
 Essay on Friendship 5 
 
 The Practice of Friendship 30 
 
 Mercy 31 
 
 The Duty of Friendship 42 
 
 The Way Out 43 
 
 The Eclipse of Friendship 60 
 
 To Women Friends 63 
 
 To Men Friends 65 
 
 Friendly Words 71 
 
 Friendship's Harvest 74 
 
 Sentiments — Initiative, The Inevitable Trail — 
 Equilibrium 77 
 
 Harbor Salute 78 
 
 The Reward of Discretion 81 
 
 Sentiment — A True Woman 83 
 
 As From Man to Man 84 
 
 The Degree Conferred 87 
 
DEDICATION 
 
 To those who have befriended me — those 
 who have blessed me with their Friendship ; 
 
 To those who love for the sake of loving — 
 who live to do good ; 
 
 To those who have stood by me in time of 
 stress — those who love me today — those who 
 will love me in the future ; 
 
 To those who do not forget — those who un- 
 derstand — those who appreciate their friends 
 and the privileges of life and Friendship, this 
 book is affectionately dedicated. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
FRIENDSHIP 
 
 Jubilate 
 There's an oasis in the desert waste, 
 There's an island in the deep; 
 A trusty star in heaven is placed 
 That my ship its course may keep ; 
 There's a tender, lilting melody 
 A-floating all around ; 
 New cheer and hope and harmony 
 Through the love of a friend I've found! 
 
 Rest 
 
 As twilight folds the tired world in its comfort- 
 ing, restful embrace, so doth Friendship enfold kin- 
 dred spirits in its magic, mothering clasp ; filling the 
 hearts and lives of those elect who taste its worth 
 and power. It diffuses a subtle, potent charm, quick- 
 ening the flagging fires of life with a revivifying in- 
 fluence, which warms every member of one's being. 
 
 The Giver 
 
 Friendship freely gives of its best, yet is never 
 impoverished thereby. It ennobles the giver and 
 nourishes the recipient; it builds the former and 
 sustains the latter. Hence, both partake of the fare 
 sublime. It seeks no reward but the blessing of the 
 object of regard, and counts service and sacrifice 
 only privilege and pleasure. 
 
6 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 Solace 
 
 It is a great thing to be able to stand alone or 
 like a strong swimmer, to be able to breast the cur- 
 rents of life and circumstance without aid. But oh, 
 what a precious thing it is to find a friend! Gently, 
 so gently, the spell of Friendship descends upon the 
 hungering soul with solace pure and never failing — 
 a heavenly manna for those who wander in the wild- 
 erness of selfish motives, conflicting interests and 
 carking cares met with in our workaday world. 
 
 Natural Craving 
 The human heart craves appreciation and sym- 
 pathy. When the individual has reached maturity 
 there are generally many shattered ideals, wrecked 
 hopes, disappointments and frustrated ambitions to 
 wring and burden the heart. At the office or store, 
 the work-shop or usual routine, there comes a some- 
 thing which makes life bearable, duty tolerable, and 
 the path better. The preachers call it "brotherly 
 love," women call it the same minus the "brother- 
 lo," but the best term is Friendship. At all events, 
 in it are summed up the mutual understanding, the 
 fellowship, the approval of generous well-wishing, 
 which is at once a source of cheer, backbone, and 
 stimulation, and of nourishment and sustenance to 
 the soul as well. We have all noticed it, experi- 
 enced it, enjoyed it, and cherished it as being some- 
 thing far too rare, but Oh, so rich and grateful! 
 
 Real Value 
 
 If humanity could only be awakened to the worth 
 of the practice of kindness, the folly of money-get- 
 ting, the vanity of sense-tickling and pleasure seek- 
 ing there would be vastly more joy and far less woe 
 in this beautiful world of ours. We scorn the idol- 
 atrous heathen and continue to worship the idols of 
 
FRIENDSHIP 7 
 
 Wealth, Fame, Pleasure, and particularly Self. Each 
 individual sooner or later realizes the need of a 
 friend — the value that a friend could be — but oft- 
 times not before many an opportunity has escaped 
 for being- one. But we should not forget that when 
 a friend is found, a veritable mine of joy and help- 
 fulness has been discovered. Almost any friend is 
 good for something, but a worthy friend is one of 
 God's most precious gifts. 
 
 Good to be At Home 
 
 How sweet, how restful it is, to have the privilege 
 of laying- aside the mask, the sham, the armor, the 
 bluff' of the Game of Life; and just feel free to be 
 one's natural, real self — with a friend; to be loved 
 for one's ideals, aspirations and conscientious ef- 
 forts; fully appreciated, generously estimated as to 
 character and worth. 
 
 Inspiration 
 
 There is Inspiration generated by Friendship — 
 impetus to be one's nobler self. It is the adequate 
 reward for all past endeavor; the Prize possessed, 
 yet ever to be sought and kept, by faithful effort. It 
 is the bottom of the otherwise bottomless pit of fail- 
 ure, from which life can be revised on a better basis, 
 in spite of disappointments, griefs — in spite of every- 
 thing that saps one's joy and vim. 
 
 Necessity 
 
 "No man liveth unto himself, and no man dieth 
 unto himself,'" "He who would have friends, must 
 show himself friendly," are two rich quotations from 
 the Big Book. No one person is likely to have all 
 the faults, nor is anyone likely to have all the vir- 
 
8 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 tues. This is often noticeable in the marriage of two 
 honest sincere persons. However they may try to 
 live up to the highest ideals of marital success, there 
 is something lacking in the companion. In another 
 case wherein wreck has occurred to the marital ves- 
 sel, but for the sake of children, or friends, or re- 
 ligious notions, it may seem desirable for them to 
 continue to live together. In these cases. Friend- 
 ship is the legitimate, commendable, ennobling and 
 effective remedy. And this applies to frends of the 
 opposite, quite as much as to those of the same, sex. 
 
 No Limit 
 
 And how much may such friends love? Just 
 all they want to — so long as selfishness and the 
 lust of concupiscence are faithfully kept out. Only 
 the narrow, little, mean, covetous person will object 
 to it and become jealous or critical regarding a 
 wholesome, helpful, pure and lofty friendship. 
 Those who are truly generous, will be glad for 
 their legal partner to obtain elements they have 
 personally been unable to furnish, and would grieve 
 to stand in the way thereof. 
 
 Association Sweet 
 
 Friendship is the flower of harmony — the com- 
 mingling of spirit and purpose — the essence of gen- 
 erosity, good will, sympathy, understanding and 
 interests, good-will, sympathy, understanding and 
 appreciation. There is peace in friendship. As the 
 poet has it: 
 
 "And when our tongues no words have found, 
 It's just seemed good to have you 'round." 
 
FRIENDSHIP 9 
 
 The communion of friends need not be oral, chiro- 
 graphic, or physical. They do not need to be "en- 
 tertained." Everything is beautifully spontaneous. 
 The connection may be so tender as to be telepathic. 
 All that persons so blessed know, is that they feel 
 refreshed and revivified after a session with the con- 
 genial soul. 
 
 Depression's Master 
 
 When the day is dark and cold and dreary and 
 one feels blue, it is a good thing to rout low spirits 
 by sitting down quietly and realizing you have been 
 of use. New interest in life is thus engendered; a 
 desire to be of more service — to help laboring hu- 
 manity. 
 
 An active conscience is a proof of the in-dwelling 
 of the Holy Spirit ; to aspire is good, but to endeavor 
 is better. There is no peace like that which comes 
 from knowing one's duty and having done one's 
 best to fulfill it; and man has no higher duty than 
 to be a friend to man — to someone. To get out and 
 do something for someone is the very best remedy 
 for "the blues." 
 
 A Mission 
 
 Friends are real treasures. No one need feel he 
 lacks a mission in life so long as it is possible to be 
 a friend to someone ; and no one need count himself 
 poor so long as it is possible to boast one friend. Of 
 all ambitions the noblest is to excel in loving, pure- 
 ly, unselfishly— after the pattern of the Lord that 
 bought us — even the Saviour, Christ Jesus. 
 
 How to Qualify 
 
 A great many people really do not know how to 
 begin to be a friend to anyone, yet if advice were 
 
10 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 offered, it would be resented, because of selfishness. 
 There is so much difference between an acquain- 
 tance and a friend. So few there are of those whom 
 time and circumstance have caused our lives to 
 touch, who are doing other" than that which will 
 bring to them things they most desire, — amuse- 
 ment, convenience, influence, or financial gain. But 
 to qualify for Friendship one must cultivate an 
 open, hearty, sincere and forgiving spirit — a dis- 
 position to admire, appreciate and perceive the good 
 in one's associates ; a person must be accommodat- 
 ing and readily interest himself and respond to the 
 lives and needs of others. We must be of service — 
 good for something to others, as we would have 
 them be of value in some way to us. To be a real 
 friend one must be constant, faithful, ready, eager 
 to serve — sharer in weal or woe ; a backer ; an in- 
 terested spectator ; one who is as ready to sympa- 
 thize with our achievements as to mourn with us in 
 tribulation. 
 
 The Difference 
 
 The pseudo-friend is over-anxious to become 
 established as confidential sharer in our store 
 of good — over-willing to profit by our hold- 
 ings or advantage — vavail himself of ^material 
 possessions. But a real friend is one who takes a 
 genuine heart interest in another's welfare; whose 
 affection, esteem, respect and co-operation can cer- 
 tainly be looked for at all times! A trustworthy, 
 congenial fellow-traveler along the way of life — one 
 whose tastes and aspirations and fields of endeavor 
 parallel our own ; is a well-wisher indeed and in 
 truth ; an intimate and agreeable companion. 
 
 "By their fruits ye shall know them." Ready 
 
FRIENDSHIP 11 
 
 sympathy is such a solace — understanding, toler- 
 ance and forbearance are such comforts. To be a 
 friend is truest heroism. The greatest battles of 
 history are those fought in the hearts and minds 
 of individuals as they have agonized in their "garden 
 of Gethsemane." The greatest victories are those 
 won against circumstance, temptation and degen- 
 erate tendencies under fire. 
 
 Succour 
 
 The sympathy of a friend heartens a struggler as 
 can nothing else. It is hard for one to have his 
 patient, earnest, repeated efforts, his fortitude and 
 courage, go unrecognized — find no solution to prob- 
 lems in the working of which the rule has been hon- 
 estly applied without success; to have careful, 
 thoughtful building crumble and decay; and that, 
 when he has put into it his all, be it much or little, 
 of strength and intelligence — and a soul full of 
 squareness. Such an one needs the buoy of sym- 
 pathy, understanding, appreciation — that is, Friend- 
 ship — an anchor in life's troubled sea. 
 
 An Illustration 
 
 There is a pseudo-friendship which is pretty good 
 as far as it goes, but it goes not far enough to care 
 much about because it has too much justice and not 
 enough mercy in it. Let us take a case : 
 
 Two boys who live near neighbors, grow up side 
 by side, sharing as schoolmates, playmates and later 
 are sent by their parents to the same college. Here 
 also they are chums — they play and study together, 
 smoke, eat and sleep together— and ''raise the mis- 
 chief" together. When they graduate, they shake 
 hands on the threshold of a new day — a day of in- 
 
12 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 dependent entrance upon the field of industrial bat- 
 tle — vowing eternal friendship. 
 
 After four or five years of ever-lessening frequency 
 in their correspondence, one whom we will call 
 Jack, receives a telegram from his old chum whom 
 we will call Tom, which reads as follows: *'Am in 
 trouble, have been arrested; come here and go my 
 bond/' 
 
 If Jack is a pseudo-friend he will consider : "Well 
 now, that is too bad. I am certainly sorry to hear 
 that my old friend Tom is in trouble. I always did 
 say I feared he would hang for his fool pranks. 
 Wonder what he has been up to all these years 
 since we left college? W'onder what kind of com- 
 pany he has been keeping? He may be mixed up in 
 some serious business. If he is, I cannot afford to 
 takes sides and mix up in it — I, pillar of the church 
 and highly respected in my community. No doubt 
 I had better go. slow and investigate a little." 
 
 But if Jack is a real Friend, he will not hesitate 
 longer than is necessary to kiss his wife or sweet- 
 heart goodbye, and then he is ofif to do all he can 
 for his old chum, Tom. He will, if necessary, put up 
 his business, his home and his fortune without 
 weighing the matter as to whether Tom is"worthy" 
 — whether he is really "in bad," or is the victim of 
 circumstance. Yes, he would give his life blood for 
 him if need be, provided he had not a higher duty 
 elsewhere. For he knows that if Tom is a guilty 
 man, he then would need a friend more than ever 
 before in his life. 
 
 Tests Welcomed 
 
 A man should be brave enough to state his opin- 
 ion, and attach his signature -or give his affidavit, no 
 
FRIENDSHIP 13 
 
 matter what the circumstances requesting it may be. 
 Less than a grain of sand in value, is that man who 
 vaunts himself as a friend to one upon whom the 
 world is showering its favors as the passing hero, 
 with honors and applause ; but who, in a darker 
 hour, when everythng is the reverse, skulks behind 
 scruples to make sure that his own coat tails shall 
 be clear in case he "stand by." Tests should not 
 be sought — nor should they be side-stepped. But 
 when the pinch does come, it should be welcomed 
 as an opportunity to show power, stamina and 
 backbone. 
 
 No Return Demanded 
 
 With the pseudo-friendship, it is like the selfish, 
 or pseudo-love — a "give and take proposition," self- 
 ish, from both participants. Iw such cases, unless 
 there is objective return for every hand-clasp, every 
 sprig of service and self-sacrifice, every loving 
 glance, every tender vibration, every atom of pleas- 
 ure, the nestling will soon take unto itself strong 
 wings — will tear away from the tender bonds 
 and no matter what wreck it leaves behind, 
 will present its demands where they will be 
 honored at face value For such souls, we 
 should not wish to change the order of things. 
 To destroy Reciprocity would be to compel individ- 
 ual starvation. Only, the attitude is wrong. To 
 offer or try to claim such a friendship or love is 
 like trying to pick up an empty April-fool's purse 
 found in the roadway with a string attached. 
 
 Recognition 
 
 Friends, like poets, are born and not made; they 
 are discovered, not manufactured at will, or accord- 
 ing to design and convenience. Two persons meet 
 
14 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 and instinctively know that somehow they belong 
 to each other — that there exists between them, a 
 bond nearer than that of kindred — a relationship, 
 closer than that brought about by the accident of 
 birth among those of the family. 
 
 The old story in our Christian Bible, of David 
 and Jonathan is too familiar to need any detailed 
 mention here, but has furnished the basis for many 
 a sweet reflection by those whose hearts are ready 
 to respond to the call of comradeship — to do for one 
 beloved without hope of reward — merely for the joy 
 of the privilege of doing. 
 
 Scarcely less famous and quite as sweet is the 
 Bible story of the love between two women — Ruth 
 and Naomi. Surely it is beautiful — worthy of emu- 
 lation. Also in that sacred Old Book, is the record 
 of the Master's words : "Make friends even with 
 the very mammon of unrighteousness (money)." 
 And again, "Greater love hath no man than this; 
 that a man lay down his life for his friends." And 
 He did so. 
 
 Happifying Aim 
 
 The greatest achievement of life is to love and to 
 be loved and the thing most worth while — the hap- 
 pifying aim. But to love, unrequited, calls for no- 
 bility of character which is not so easily attained. 
 But surely, "It is more blessed to give than to re- 
 ceive," and it is only selfishness that makes us desire 
 pay for that which we bestow or offer. The soul 
 of Friendship is generosity. 
 
 Scope 
 But the question arises, "Is there to be no limit 
 to the scope of friendship?" The answer is, that it 
 is right to seek and claim all one can. It is proper 
 
FRIENDSHIP 15 
 
 to cull out the false and hold fast to the genuine — 
 have an attitude of good-will to the former and of 
 gratitude toward the latter. 
 
 God's laws are operative — never failing. His rules 
 are unbroken, immutable. If it were not so, our 
 blessed, harmonious universe would go to pieces. 
 Science assures us that the atoms, ions and electrons 
 which compose even our steel structures, the walls 
 and floors of our buildings, are constantly in motion ; 
 that all of the materials which compose the human 
 body are assembled in about ten months, or in the 
 case of the foetus, in nine months. 
 
 Law of Attraction 
 
 And what is it holds these atoms, together, 
 whether in concrete structures, steel frames, build- 
 ings or the human temple ? The Law of Attraction 
 And why do they not remain together always? Be- 
 cause the Law is that they remain together only so 
 long as intelligent purpose is thereby fulfilled — so 
 long as worthy, appreciable results are gained 
 through continued association. 
 
 So with friends. It is right to gain as many as 
 possible and get from each all of the love, time and 
 attention that can be properly used, with respect to 
 the mutual welfare. If we accept a friend, we also 
 accept a degree of responsibility proportional to our 
 influence. We may use, not mis-use nor abuse. We 
 may take that which is necessary — no more. The 
 relationship may continue so long as it is for the 
 mutual good. "Defraud not thy brother." But in- 
 sofar as the association does no injustice to anyone, 
 fills out life, contributes to the joy, well-being, in- 
 spiration and helpful experience. It cannot consti- 
 
16 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 tute an infringement upon the Law of Righteous- 
 ness The mission of the friend is to do good. To 
 deny one the privilege of exercising benevolence 
 and comradeship is a sin. 
 
 Compensation 
 
 Circumstances often compel association with per- 
 sons who are not congenial, while others who are 
 helpful and enjoyable are seldom seen, as Carrie 
 Jacobs Bond sings : 
 
 "Ain't it strange that for some folks 
 
 You don't care very much, 
 And for others you just care a pile. 
 And the folks you don't care for 
 
 You see every day, 
 And the others, just once in a while?" 
 
 But even yearning, disappointment, and sorrow 
 often do a good work in developing the finer feel- 
 ings. Also, our capacity for appreciation is hereby 
 increased. Plain foods to him of the strong lusty 
 digestion and keen appetite, are more enjoyed than 
 luxurious diet to the weak, bilious or sated. 
 
 Jealousy 
 
 The habit of being grateful and cheerful cannot 
 be too highly commended. Stinginess cheats itself 
 out of much joy experienced in generosity. Jealousy 
 not only mars the happiness of the one coveted, but 
 also swindles the jealous person out of pleasure 
 which would otherwise be forthcoming. 
 
 When jealously is manifested by a friend, it shows 
 the spirit of covetousness in another rank, weedy 
 growth. Jealousy is seldom amendable to reason. If 
 we cannot kill it out of the hearts of others, we can 
 at least take proper precautions that we do not per- 
 
FRIENDSHIP 17 
 
 mit its development in our own garden. All human 
 love is but a stepping-stone to a higher, nobler love, 
 on the plane next above. The toys of childhood 
 suffice until we are ready for something better. 
 
 Always Essential 
 Marriage is a business contract which must be 
 respected by both parties to be successful. The 
 parties to such a contract who have not Friendship 
 between them apart from the physical vibrations 
 generated by special, conjugal contact have a re- 
 lationship which will hardly bear the weight of time 
 and care, and which will not always happify and en- 
 rich; for such is the proper office of Friendship — a 
 place nothing else can fill. Friendship is the chief 
 preservative — the active principle of the joy of liv- 
 ing. It eliminates selfishness and paves the way for 
 the conception of the love of all mankind — the love 
 of doing good to all men, according as we may have 
 opportunity. 
 
 Basis of Success 
 
 Of himself, a man is nothing; but that which he 
 achieves is by virtue of the blessings he has re- 
 ceived through the friends that have come into his 
 life — his success is the result of the loyalty and 
 worth, inspiration and support of his friends. The 
 chief of an army has little power of himself, but with 
 the co-operation of his soldiers, the general is able 
 to defend his highest conception of right and duty. 
 
 Incipient Cynicism 
 
 It sometimes happens that one is blind to his 
 
 own faults and failings, having his eye full of 
 
 criticism of the one who is most frequently in his 
 
 thought. In that case, he becomes so busy whining 
 
18 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 about not being appreciated that he fails to properly 
 estimate and receive that which comes unto him, 
 because the package is not wrapped in the color of 
 paper he had pictured in his imagination. 
 
 If you, kind reader, feel that you are not appre- 
 ciated, turn your searching gaze inward; (this light 
 of analysis and criticism), and see if you are fully 
 appreciating those who are earnestly striving to 
 please and who have a right to kindly considera- 
 tion. Instead of being shut off from that you long 
 for, have you not obstinately, contrarily shut your- 
 self off? 
 
 Consideration Due 
 
 Friends should not be made the receptacle for our 
 bad humor, our whims, peculiarities and troubles. 
 We should not seek in a friend a means of venting 
 our inherent smartness. We should not wish to 
 pry into the private affairs, nor learn the secrets of 
 a friend, nor should that friend exhibit such tenden- 
 cies toward us. 
 
 Guarding the Treasure 
 
 Friendship imposes no obligations but seeks and 
 claims multiudes of privileges of service, and that 
 with joy, making life delicious. It comprehends an 
 ability to overlook another's faults and weaknesses 
 — to magnify the good. It predisposes to the burial 
 of differences and aggression. It never boasts itself 
 but is evidenced by unwavering attitude and action. 
 
 He who imposes upon, or mis-uses, a friend is 
 worse than a thief. That which is stolen in material 
 effects may easily be replaced, but he who damns 
 man's faith in man, makes a murderous thrust at his 
 own race ; and fathers war, hatred, malice and mis- 
 ery. 
 
FRIENDSHIP 19 
 
 No higher compliment could be paid than to say, 
 intelligently: "This is my friend!" No line of aris- 
 tocracy can boast so noble a line of ancestors as 
 that one may indicate with just and honest pride if 
 one's people have been worthily called "friend." 
 For a Friend counts it an opportunity and not a 
 hardship, when in a time of need he can prove his 
 worthiness by his deeds — prove his interest by in- 
 sight and foresight, without having to be asked or 
 urged — without surety. 
 
 Those who are too sanguine, greedy — who try to 
 get too much out of this existence — are among the 
 "temperamental" people who often get the "blues." 
 Let him who lacks a "life-work" — a worthy object 
 for which to live and strive — just set out, at once, 
 to be steadfast, constant, sincere — a vibrant harp, a 
 reflecting violin ; alive to response both to strains of 
 joy, and sorrow; victory or defeat; sunshine and 
 shadow; striving ever to remember to be faithful 
 to this ideal; to be cheer\% loyal considerate, and 
 patient; always weighing well each thought before 
 it is uttered ; considering each deed before perform- 
 ing it ; seeing the end of the present course of con- 
 duct or work, the destination whereunto the path 
 vou are treading will ultimately lead. 
 
 Recapitulation 
 
 Friendship then, is the sacred compound of good- 
 will, concord, unity of spirit, appreciation, compas- 
 sion, sympathy, understanding; the ability and dis- 
 position to practise over-looking faults and persist- 
 ently foster virtues ; the habit of seeing the best in 
 those with whom we come in contact ; the readiness 
 to forgive a wTong; the alertness to bless, to do 
 
20 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 good unto another; a worthy result of the vanquish- 
 ment of self, the carnal mind. Friendship is evi- 
 denced by pleasure in service and sacrifice; is the 
 essence of that which is noblest in our character; 
 the fruit of religion, philosophy and refinement; the 
 flower reared of the sweetest emotions of the soul ; 
 a basis for tenderness, consideration and gentleness ; 
 the realization of the love of God. 
 
 Choice 
 
 The greatest gift of God to man is consciousness. 
 But its possession involves responsibility. One of 
 our most important obligations is to have a clear 
 and personally definite consciousness and concep- 
 tion of our class and kind — a classified realization 
 of the proper place of the objects entering our field 
 of vision ; the world we touch ; the things with 
 which we come in contact; that which we cognize 
 as exterior to ourselves. 
 
 Principle 
 
 We are exhorted to ''worship God in spirit and in 
 truth." We are also asked, "If ye love not men 
 whom ye have seen, how can ye love God whom ye 
 have not seen?" Surely we need more love in the 
 world — we need to learn whom and how to love. 
 And the proper, the legitimate, the rose-path, is the 
 way of Friendship. 
 
 The first step is to obey the Biblical injunction, 
 "Man, know thyself." This done, our next step is 
 to cognize, know, our own kind — not only of spe- 
 cies but of nature — spirit — aspiration and type. 
 
 The next step is to apply the principle, which is 
 best begun and continued in Service. Thereby we 
 
FRIENDSHIP 21 
 
 live the successful, happifying^ life — by the persis- 
 tent habit of living for others ; to live to be useful 
 to our kind. 
 
 In order to be useful we must see clearly that it 
 is for us to OURSELVES be the benediction we 
 would wish God to bestow upon our objects of spec- 
 ial responsibility and interest; upon our kind — those 
 who are close to us. It is best in our systematic 
 endeavors to be good (God) to those about us — 
 that which touches our lives — let each first bless 
 each his own kind. Let the dog bless the dog; let 
 the fish bless fish; the bird bless the bird; and man- 
 kind bless mankind. Thus will our attentions be 
 most easily understood and appreciated, and we will 
 not only get maximum results for the effort ex- 
 pended, but we will also save cheating in two ways 
 — preventing a member of the kind in question bless- 
 ing best his kind, as perhaps he cannot bless the 
 higher, different type, but we will also avoid deny- 
 ing the fellowship of our own type. And this is the 
 law. The higher type should help the lower ; but 
 the main points and general concourse must be kind 
 to kind. We belittle our type and transgress the 
 law, violate the proprieties of the Creator when we 
 play the outlaw and make our habit otherwise. 
 
 Of the higher laws, it is possible for us to be- 
 come Christlike and children of God by choosing for 
 our rule of life, the first law — the law of Love — the 
 law of kindness. Kndness should be our habit — 
 kindness to everything. Everything loves its life — 
 wants to maintain its integrity and fulfill its pur- 
 pose and destiny. Use people and things only for 
 the particular purposes for which they were in- 
 tended by nature and structure to fulfill. This is 
 being natural, wholesome. 
 
22 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 Purpose 
 
 Friendship is a blessed means of proving the 
 proposition that it really is more blessed to give 
 than to receive. Friendship is for the expression 
 of appreciation, and understanding and the sweet 
 spirit of reciprocity; yes, and for gratitude toward 
 God in our kind. It is the wholesome communion 
 of sincere souls who count it good to be alive. 
 
 But if we would be worthy of the great blessing 
 
 of Friendship, we must be ready to really be a 
 friend. We must learn to shut the door of our 
 thought to the negativeness that produces only after 
 its kind and open our hearts to receive with joy, the 
 good things we find near us — waiting for our ac- 
 ceptance. Let us not continually affront the Good 
 God by forever refusing gracious reception of His 
 beneficence, by any fancied virtue of self-denial. 
 Friendship and its fruits are necessary to our life, 
 prosperity and development. For, "No man liveth 
 unto himself and no man dieth unto himself." 
 
 Duty of Acceptance 
 
 Let us rise and clear away the shades of gloom, 
 self-pity and self-love that put us in the dungeon 
 of Misery. Throu' open the doors and let in the 
 blessed sunshine in trustful acceptance that the good 
 thing that comes to us is of God — the blessed An- 
 swer to our prayers — those earnest, unspoken and 
 unspeakable desires of the heart. Perchance that 
 for which we are sorrowfully yearning is here in 
 our lives today and we are blindly refusing it. 
 
 Since so much of life is disappointment, care and 
 sacrifice, losses and crosses, we should learn to love 
 them as the hard lessons that teach us the way of 
 life and the strenuous exercises that makes us strong 
 
FRIENDSHIP 23 
 
 enough for the next step advancing along the high 
 road of Progress toward the mountain top of Per- 
 fection. But let us not get into such a habit of 
 self-abnegation and denial that we refuse refresh- 
 ment and happiness when it is offered us. God does 
 allow that His creatures be happy and rejoice in His 
 goodness. 
 
 Avoid Exaction 
 
 But in our ideality, let us not demand too much 
 perfection of our friends. Likely every friendship 
 will result in some measure of disappointment. But 
 this is merely an opportunity to "be tender-hearted 
 one to another, forgiving one another even as God 
 hath for Christ's sake, forgiven you." Look upon 
 such an occasion as an opportunity to be charitable, 
 generous, indulgent. Friendship is certainly the 
 best thing in this life, and the finer souls will ever 
 yearn for it, cherish it, and strive to be true to their 
 noblest concepts in regard to the faithful discharge 
 of its obligations. 
 
 Dignity of Friendship 
 
 If you offer your priceless gift of Friendship and 
 it be rejected, feel no resentment. To offer a gift 
 to one who is unworthy by reason of undevelop- 
 ment, is merely to cast pearls before swine. There 
 are those who are little and mean and have their 
 failings covered by a veneer of external sweetness 
 which is only exercised when there is no excuse 
 to do otherwise. 
 
 But the selfish life, with its anger, jealousy, pride, 
 sensitiveness, envy, hatred, malice and uncharitable- 
 ness, is merely the disposition to see life and its 
 privileges through a pinhole and so limit the vision. 
 
24 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 Faith 
 
 To be broad, gentle, forgiving, is greater than 
 personal triumphs. To trust that one's friend has 
 nothing but love, good-will, good intentions and 
 blessings for one, is a great preventive of mis- 
 understandings and misinterpretation of deeds done 
 under circumstances which may throw them tem- 
 porarily into a bad light. 
 
 Sharing 
 
 Covetousness says : "I want all." Good Sense 
 says : "I want only what I need." A dog eats and 
 leaves what he cannot use for his fellows. But 
 humans so often want to grasp everything, both 
 what they need for themselves and all else they can 
 seize and hold, preferring to retain the surplus for 
 their heirs rather than to permit the less fortunate 
 to prosper — rather than to bless the present gen- 
 eration. 
 
 Avoidance of Ready Condemnation 
 
 Be not over-ready to find a friend guilty of mis- 
 demeanor or disloyalty or selfishness, but always be 
 ready to give the friend the benefit of a possible 
 doubt. Do not be disposed to jump at conclusions 
 which would do damage to the best thing you have 
 found in the world — Friendship — and your estimate 
 of a member of your own kind. Doubtless this 
 tableau is but a picture of yourself in another cir- 
 cumstance with your beloved friend as the villian 
 this time instead of yourself. 
 
 Study Laws of Harmony 
 
 Learn to harmonize — be in accord. Cultivate the 
 disposition to agree instead of antagonize and differ. 
 
FRIENDSHIP 25 
 
 Do not be overfond of your own opinion or think too 
 highly of your own judgment. Humility is one of 
 the greatest of virtues. Always admit the possi- 
 bility of your being in error. It certainly does, take 
 two to make a quarrel. If you refuse to contend, 
 anger must die. 
 
 Spirit Benign 
 
 Love is surely the greatest thing in this world or 
 anywhere else. There are many brands and all are 
 good except one — self-love. But this kind which 
 we term kindness, benevolence, etc., seems to me 
 the greatest of all, being the type found in mother- 
 love, and which we call Friendship, for it gives all 
 and asks nothing in return ; whereas every other 
 form seems to say : "I will do so-and-so for you — 
 what do I get back? If you do not appreciate me 
 and what I sacrifice for you and do for you, I will 
 be done with you and will regret having done any- 
 thing for you and wasted my regard on an unworthy 
 person !" 
 
 But Friendship says : "Don't bother to thank me 
 or try to be grateful for anything I can do for you. 
 The privilege of service, of benefiting, and the 
 effort of trying to do good, is most salutary exercise. 
 It is the giver who is most blest — not the recipient 
 I have my reward from the impulse to express the 
 love that wells up within me'.' 
 
 Evening 
 
 It need not depress those who trust in God to real- 
 ize that even our sun — source of life, power growth, 
 the center of our solar system — has but his day — 
 dawn, zenith, evening. So with artists, actors, pugi- 
 lists, wrestlers, poets, authors, pianists, singers. By 
 
26 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 one means or another — a phenomen over which 
 they have little control — the conditions are right for 
 one out of the many aspirants, to make good and 
 rise as a sun over his fellows and shine forth in 
 strength. Yet there is a zenith and point of wan- 
 ing. It is so in physical experience. We find 
 youth, prime, and old age. And perhaps also in love 
 and in the ability to attract and hold friends. Noth- 
 ing seems steadfast or permanent or dependable. 
 As the proverb goes, "Even this shall pass away." 
 
 A Friendship Outgrown 
 
 Eflforts may not always result in success, in fame 
 or riches. Sometimes friends change or lose interest 
 — our sunship on the wane. But the love we have 
 for them has made us richer — life has been sweeter 
 because of them. The love we put into our work, 
 loving the common task, no matter how homely and 
 unattractive — loving it for the occupation it gives 
 us — the assurance that we are doing something 
 which makes our lives useful — a blessing to some- 
 one. That pays. The love we have for our work, 
 our studies, our progress and unfoldment — it never 
 comes back in bitterness. 
 
 Individual needs differ. Goals differ. Some learn 
 their lessons more quickly than others. We may 
 wait a little while for a tardy friend to catch up, 
 but when the condition of mutual benefit has 
 ceased, it is useless to try to drag a slothful, dila- 
 tory, backward friend along. When the rate of 
 development is so slow that the grown man is still 
 dawdling along with the toys of childhood — the 
 things of the world and personal pleasure — the 
 things of flesh — then the friendship has been out- 
 grown and we pack a mummy around with us, when 
 
FRIENDSHIP 27 
 
 we try to cling to the dead thing that once had 
 life and power to bless. Furthermore, there is com- 
 pensation for giving up the old and worn-out, in 
 acquiring the new. Such pleasure is like that ex- 
 perienced in laying aside tattered or threadbare 
 garments for new. 
 
 Keeping Friends 
 
 It is vain to fancy that a friendship once formed 
 means the development of perpetual motion — that 
 it will go by itself. Friendship must be renewed to 
 continue to live. As the musician or artist or ath* 
 lete must be made fit by proper preparation and 
 training so to keep fit, he must continue these salu- 
 tary practices Like a garden, Friendship must be 
 cultivated, nurtured, fostered. 
 
 We may acquire a facility for making friends— 
 but it takes character, thought, and effort 
 to retain them. Even then, in spite of our best 
 efforts, we will likely find that estrangements will 
 occur or circumstances develop which dim the 
 brightness of this crown of life. The remedy is not 
 in bitterness of spirit, but in constantly maintaining 
 a genial, accommodating, helpful, cheerful, friendly 
 mien and thereby attracting new friends which will 
 enrich your life as you enrich theirs, more than mak- 
 ing up for the thing lost. Thereby we can dem- 
 onstrate that it really does pay to "keep sweet." 
 
 Practising Charity 
 
 Toward prolonging the life of friendship and mul- 
 tiplying its joys, we should avoid condemnation; 
 should seldom criticize, unless the friend will be 
 benefitted by the adverse opinion and open analysis. 
 
28 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 It is safe to presume that the other fellow is doing 
 the best he can under his circumstances, predisposi- 
 tion, weaknesses and temptations. Truly, "A friend 
 is one who knows all about you and loves you just 
 the same !" 
 
 We can "befriend" anyone, above or below us; 
 but in voluntarily choosing- our companions, 
 it is well to select those who are of the 
 same type as ourselves. Then avoid arguments, 
 contentions, and all seeds of antagonism, disagree- 
 ment, discord. Be fair, genial, kind and congenial, 
 and the harvest will surely be harmony and felicity. 
 It is not yet safe to put a lamb and a lion in a den 
 together. It is not always easy in these days of 
 pretense, egotism and hypnotism, to tell who's who. 
 Wherefore, herd with your own kind, get together; 
 keep sweet. Spread the noble doctrine of peace, 
 good-will, kindness, charity, compassion, sympa- 
 thy, gratitude, appreciation and self-abnegation. 
 Make friends — love them. Success in the world is of 
 less value than they. Therefore, leave them not, 
 neither forsake them. 
 
 Constancy 
 
 Never discard an old for a new friend, impulsive- 
 ly and without proper consideration. Constancy is 
 a virtue and inconstancy a deplorable fault. It is 
 bad to be fickle, disloyal — easily carried away by 
 the glamour of a new adventure To indulge such 
 tendencies is to foster shallowness of nature and a 
 vacillating mind, incapable of definite course or of 
 sound action or concentration. And if, by any 
 chance, you be loved by but few, know that at least 
 it is your privilege to love many. 
 
FRIENDSHIP 29 
 
 Reward 
 Thus you will be surprised some day, to find how 
 many you are benefitting, influencing for good, of 
 those who enter your aura — your life's horizon. 
 You will cause little pain or grief, and many weary, 
 needy, hungry souls, will find sweet refreshment in 
 your stability, strength and nobility of character. 
 Thus will you become a fountain of pure waters, 
 purged of ignoble impulses. Thus will you become 
 worthy of being made a member of the noblest 
 order ever known to mankind and be given a new 
 name — the greatest honor that mankind can give 
 you — the title of "Friend." 
 
 Hail to the glorious, beautiful, beneficient, 
 
 SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP! 
 
The Practice of Friendship 
 
 Doubtless we are now agreed that in order to 
 have friends we must "show ourselves friendly," 
 — we must begin and continue the practice of 
 friendship — of friendliness to those to whom we 
 feel drawn, to those who give us pleasure — who 
 benefit us ; and also, emulating the gentle Nazarine, 
 loving the unlovely and those who need us, as well. 
 
 Knowing where we should go, we need to know 
 by what route we should travel. The answer is, 
 by way of nobility of character and amiability of 
 disposition ; by capacity for service and a love of 
 doing good. 
 
 Of all the existing assets that help toward the 
 making of friends, perhaps the most valuable is 
 the possession of a pleasing personality. And by 
 the way, this is not necessarily a matter of natural 
 gift but is a thing that can be cultivated — the evo- 
 lution of a sweet disposition. It is largely a mat- 
 ter of being gracious, accommodating, cheerful, 
 patient. Likewise, to be of neat appearance and 
 gentle of manner are items which aid in making 
 up a charming personality and in creating the 
 magnetism which draws others to us. 
 
 In every line of business, and in every walk of 
 life, one may observe that the person possessing 
 such a personality receives attention, advancement 
 and favor, while rivals who are deficient in this 
 respect are permitted to stagnate. The value of a 
 smiling countenance can hardly be over-estimated. 
 An optimistic — that is to say, a cheerful spirit— 
 
MERCY 31 
 
 is indeed magnetic. It radiates beauteous beams 
 as a dewdrop mirrors the rainbow hues of the life- 
 giving' sun. 
 
 As was shown in the book, "The Joyous Life," 
 happiness is synthetic while scientific character- 
 building is one of the prime purposes of life. With 
 a compound object in view, that of attaining happi- 
 ness and making daily progress in building char- 
 acter, let us consider one element of soul-great- 
 ness, namely, the quality of Mercy. 
 
 MERCY 
 
 A little boy was once asked: "When you know 
 a thing, how do you know it?" To which he prompt- 
 ly replied, 'T don't know it at all — I forget it." In 
 his frank answer is food for thought. We are not 
 benefitted by what we learn and then forget; but by 
 what we learn and then incorporate and use. Most 
 of us talk— prattle, babble— too much, and think 
 too little. We have our minds filled with rubbish 
 and that which is of no value. 
 
 When the soul wakens, there is aspiration to bet- 
 ter things. When one realizes that he is no longer 
 satisfied to be kept a peaceful prisoner of ignorance, 
 we may expect progress. Knowledge of vain things 
 has nothing to do with the possession of wisdom. 
 Meditation, contemplation, is a helpful practice. 
 We know so many things in a superficial sort of 
 way, but to be fully conscious to all that is repre- 
 sented by a germ-idea calls for genuine mental ca- 
 pacity. In order to keep our ideals from decline, it 
 is well to pause and consider a definite subject and 
 
32 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 compel the mind to cease from aimless rambling — 
 a bad habit fostered by our present careless living 
 and the economic conditions of our time. 
 
 If you feel in the mood, suppose you and I take 
 a train of thought and travel a while on the Progress 
 road, journeying toward a definite destination — the 
 celestial cities of Unfoldment, Development, and 
 Growth. For today's trip, let us stop at the Com- 
 missary of Character Construction and equip with 
 the idea of *'Mercy," and a few other things, for 
 word-study 
 
 We may know a thing by the evidences of our 
 senses; that is, by perception, or apprehension ; also 
 we may know by the processes of reason. We may 
 know or recognize from experience or by gaining a 
 conception of a thing by reckoning, imagining that 
 which we have not undergone, from that which we 
 have cognized. 
 
 "Blessed are the merciful." And who is there 
 among us who does not aspire to be blessed? Then 
 let us not forget to be merciful. We can begin by 
 taking time to look outside the bowl in the bottom 
 of which we live, seeing life only as it sweeps over 
 the edges and rim of the enclosure which we have 
 elected to hem us in. 
 
 Let us burst the shell of our selfish barricade and 
 look into the lives of those about us. Without ap- 
 preciation for the cares, burdens, heart-aches and 
 disappointments, sorrows and unfulfilled yearnings 
 of our fellow beings, we cannot be constrained to 
 feel any emotion of compassion — of mercy. He who 
 has no feeling has no soul. We should not be hys- 
 terical, but we should not be dead — unable to thrill 
 in understanding of deeds of heroism, courage, forti- 
 
MERCY 33 
 
 tude, love, mercy and all that goes to comprise our 
 human experiences. 
 
 Let us lay low the tall walls of our selfish 
 thoughts, and behold the most marvelous moving 
 picture ever conceived — the world about us — per- 
 ceiving that all that is done, may contribute to our 
 entertainment, edification and evoluion. Thus will 
 we enrich our experience and perhaps spare our- 
 selves he necessity of having bitter experiences in 
 order to round out our own characters. Because 
 the building of character, gaining of experience, is 
 the purpose of our having come into the world. 
 
 If perchance sometime in your life you should see 
 a long season of drought and withering, and some 
 peculiar circumstance compelled you to go a great 
 distance in the heat of a scorching day, over burn- 
 ing city walks, dusty country roads, out and away 
 from the supports and comforts which have hereto- 
 fore surrounded you ; 
 
 Out into the desert of Misery Harvest, where the 
 sand is deep and the cactus spines are sharp ; where 
 the coyote skulks and the sage brush ekes out but 
 enough existence to tell of discouragement and fail- 
 ure, the arid blight of selfish desires of men which 
 burn and sere ; 
 
 But go on, you must ; alone — unfit, unequipped — 
 caught by ''circumstance." Plod on — you must! 
 Ere long the straining body gives its cry for cessa- 
 tion of this forcing; your temples throb painfully, 
 things persist in getting more and more black be- 
 fore your eyes ; an unconquerable weakness begins 
 to steal over you. 
 
 Struggling on, hour after hour, you know not 
 how long, till your lips are cracked, and your tongue 
 
34 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 protrudes, swollen and fissured, between your teeth, 
 till all that you know is to strive on and agonize 
 for water. 
 
 If it should be your lot to go to India and there 
 you were stricken with fever — unremitting and in- 
 tolerable ; and you were alone with energies sapped, 
 vitality spent; till you could think of nothing but 
 water, WATER, W A T E R ! ! 
 
 If these experiences came to you, you would un- 
 derstand what "THIRST" meant. 
 
 And then, when you had suffered beyond the 
 power of description, a blessed cup of cold water* 
 found its way to your parched lips, and rough tis- 
 sues became smooth again; their burning ceased, 
 and the loving care bestowed slowly won you back 
 to vigor and comfort ; 
 
 Then you would know what "Relief," and "Re- 
 freshment" mean — that they are sweet to the needy 
 soul. 
 
 Then you would have a better idea of what 
 'Mercy" is. 
 
 If it fell to your lot to be a sailor — many souls 
 have been called to the sea — and while far out from 
 port an evil bully conspired to cause the men to 
 mutiny, seize the ship and cargo and divide the 
 spoils. The captain resisted and was killed. The 
 
MERCY 35 
 
 mutinous ones did not include so good a navigator 
 as the captain or first mate who had gone down 
 with his superior officer. A storm arose and the 
 good ship sprung a leak. The heavy gale at last 
 snapped the mam mast, which in fallmg wrecked 
 machinery and steam pumps. The weary men 
 were forced to operate the hand pumps. But all m 
 vain. The ship would sink. 
 
 A few sailors who had refused to mutiny had been 
 cast into irons. You were one of them. The mut- 
 ineers took the life boats and put to sea, but not 
 before one of them who had in his heart a bit of 
 mercy, came and partly set you free. You did the 
 rest. But gaining the deck you found there was no 
 boat. 
 
 A lurch of the ship threw you overboard in the 
 wash of a giant wave ; you found a piece of wreck- 
 age and clung to it, and on this homely saviour, 
 were washed up on the beach of a desert island. 
 
 The one boat which had survived the storm had 
 been driven on the opposite end of this island. You 
 were weak from the battle— too weak even to shout. 
 There you lay, half drowned, with a broken leg. 
 The storm subsided. You could see the men saving 
 useful material from the wrecked ship; you had 
 neither food nor drink. 
 
 One of the mutineers had been picked up by a 
 passing vessel. He had induced the captain to 
 search for the crew. Rocks and shoals made it un- 
 safe to come in very close, so the crew from the 
 wreck began to prepare to put out to where the 
 big ship stood off, waiting their coming. 
 
 They are too far off to see you— you have not 
 the power to rise, or signal them. It seems— Oh, 
 
36 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 God of heaven ! inevitable that you be missed and 
 forsaken, to die alone in utter misery. You see the 
 rescuers from the big ship quit the search and pre- 
 pare to depart. 
 
 In such a case you would know what "Despair" 
 and "Anguish" mean. 
 
 But wait — there's that same soft-hearted chap 
 again — he does not seem willing to go just yet. 
 Seems as if he senses that all are not aboard — some- 
 times tender-hearted people do have peculiar feel- 
 ings which are called Intuitions! Bless God, he 
 realizes what a terrible thing it would be to leave a 
 man marooned on such a barren isle. While the 
 others are impatiently urging him to desist search- 
 ing — to hurry and come on, he is still not satis- 
 fied — looks for some trace of life. 
 
 See — he's looking your way. Angels, tell him ! 
 He does see, or suspect — he's coming to see what 
 that object is, lying on the sand! And then, as your 
 strained consciousness leaves you, you know he is 
 there beside you. His mighty shout thrills you from 
 head to foot, and seems to reverberate through the 
 universe, and other men hasten to lend assistance. 
 
 After a while, you open your eyes again, wonder- 
 ing which side of the grave you are on, eager for 
 agonies to be over. A kind voice tells you not to try 
 to speak. Your helpless, weary head is gently 
 raised just a little, and something is given you to 
 take in the process of winning you back to life and 
 vigor again. 
 
 Soon you are mending. How ravenous you are. 
 How good is Food and Drink — nourishment — sus- 
 tenance. 
 
MERCY 37 
 
 If you had suffered shipwreck, (how precious is 
 reputation!) and friends, neighbors, kindred— all 
 had forsaken you, save one— but through his consid- 
 eration you had had one fighting chance tor your 
 life— to suffer your way back to standing again^: 
 Then you would understand the value of Mercy. 
 
 If sometime in your life the fell hand of torment 
 falls upon vou and strikes you down to your bed 
 in utter helplessness ; and pain comes to you as it 
 never came before ; till each succeeding hour seems 
 but another interminable hell ; 
 
 Then likely you w^ould pray as one is wont to 
 pray when suffering beyond tears or moans or 
 screams: a prayer that you might die— Oh, God! 
 that you might die. 
 
 But when it seemed in a cruel climax of unspeak- 
 able agonizing torture, as the pangs of labored 
 motherhood— peace suddenly comes— like the still- 
 ing of the fierce tempest when the gentle Nazarene 
 commanded, 'Teace, be still!" Thank God for De- 
 liverance." 
 
 Then you would better comprehend what 'Teace" 
 and "Comfortable," mean— then you would know a 
 little of what Mercy is. 
 
 If some time in your life you should come to 
 possess many things, which were everyone dear— so 
 dear! 
 
 But one by one they were torn away from you by 
 
38 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 a relentless hand — a hand stronger than yours ; the 
 hand of Circumstance. (Misfortune, Fire, Wind, 
 Disease. Senility or the dark angel Death), so that 
 all was gone — wife, children, property — everything 
 that heart holds dear. Gone — gone ! ! 
 
 All that remained was memory and shreds — dregs 
 in the cup of life — all else was "LOST." 
 
 But wait. Yonder comes one who drives like 
 Jehu. Is he friend or foe? Friend it is — and cham- 
 pion. Hot pursuit he gives the fleeing, mocking 
 viper, Fell Circumstance. 'Tis plain to see the spirit 
 of Jehu is such that his coming, though alone, is no 
 laughing matter. The loud guffaws of Circumstance 
 die in his throat — are turned to snarls at this un- 
 expected interruption of his gloating triumph. 
 
 The chariot of the intrepid Jehu slowly gains on 
 the unscrupulous foe. Though but one against a 
 legion, Jehu dares approach the assassins of Wel- 
 fare, Joy and Peace — this gang of arch-conspirators ; 
 these allies of Circumstance ; these enemies of man ; 
 who, sooner or later, lay low, the poor, the rich ; 
 the noble, the mean ; the wise, the fool ; and carry 
 their victims captive into the Unknown. 
 
 But fearless Jehu comes abreast of the very leader 
 Fell Circumstance, and snatches from him, (this 
 captain of Death, Hate, Malice, Jealousy, Lust and 
 the rest of the shades and ghouls of Carnal Mind), 
 the mutilated remnant of one of your treasures. 
 
 With tears of compassion and regret that he could 
 not do more, Jehu returns all that could be saved, 
 to your hungry arms again. 
 
 Were it your lot, beloved, to pass through such 
 an ordeal — then you would know what Anguish 
 
MERCY 39 
 
 means — and Courage, too; even the spirit of Jehu. 
 And too, you would understand better what is 
 meant by "Mercy." It is good to be spared even a 
 little of all that which had been so dear when you 
 had possessed much. 
 
 If perchance it should come to you to be a solitary 
 watcher by the bedside of one you love better than 
 your own soul, and you should see the pain-dis- 
 torted face grow paler and more pale each day : and 
 you should rack your brain to find one atom of 
 sorry comfort — one more futile something you 
 could do to make that cross a wee bit easier: 
 
 Until the long, lonely hours of the day are only 
 months in comparison to the years of the long, 
 dreary, dark and gruesomely still nights; 
 
 And if this should continue till your flesh quivered 
 with the anguish of it all, and your sturdy body is 
 worn and stooped with weariness, and your tired 
 eyes are almost hidden behind swollen lids ; till your 
 relaxed fingers let their lighter burdens slip through 
 them ; till, in spite of every effort of will, and every 
 device of ingenuity fails, and your brain sleeps a 
 stolen second, till, conscience stricken, you start up 
 again, trembling, in the responsibility of_ another's 
 life hanging on your faithfulness and vigil. 
 
 And the sufferer? Oh, those hands — those hands 
 of yours. How tenderly you direct them to do 
 that which the hands of hirelings cannot do. 
 
 O, what a stay are the time-tried bonds to that 
 suffering loved one and the patient watcher. Some- 
 bodv's fidelitv now repays for the others constancy 
 through the years that went before, woos life back 
 to the stricken one and keeps life in the body of 
 the wearv watcher. 
 
40 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 But finally, praise God, it is all over, and Darling 
 is safe, and the battle won. Life again has promise 
 of the brightness of old which you two could not 
 bear to lose. The old-time comfort steals into your 
 soul. Again the sun is bright. The sparkling dew 
 glistens on the fragrant flowers that mark the paths 
 you two have trod together — the path of life with 
 the flowers of service, love, comradeship and sym- 
 pathy a-bloom on every side. 
 
 How sweet it is to rest — to the struggler and the 
 watcher. But again, all is well. Somebody needed 
 "Constancy," and another Somebody was glad to 
 give it. So, Somebody glows warm and happy that 
 the need on both sides was met. Ah, rest is indeed 
 sweet — sweeter because of the labor which went 
 before it. How precious is "Loyalty" and "Con- 
 stancy." Life is "Delicious." 
 
 If it were your lot to go through all of this, you 
 would know the full meaning of these few words — 
 you would feel with the heart as well as understand 
 with the head. It would make you tender. Hence, 
 a little progress would be made — progress in 
 strength — in sweetness of the Flower of Character. 
 
 You then would know better than I know how 
 to tell, what Mercy means — if you experienced all 
 of these sorts of schooling. Then you would be 
 ready to APPRECIATE. 
 
 The dear people whose nearness was marked by 
 a soul waiting to come hither, christened you with 
 a name which to someone, is sweet because of you 
 — of what you have grown to be. Think little of 
 
MERCY 41 
 
 woe and strife. Think much of good, for you will 
 surely become like that which you contemplate. 
 
 But think much of "Mercy." Be kind to those 
 about you. It may be that beneath a smiling face, 
 is a hungry, sick heart. Be a benediction to many a 
 soul whose struggle, unseen, unsuspected, may yet 
 be quite as bitter in another way, as these regard- 
 ing which you have so kindly permittexi me to give 
 a little illustration. 
 
DUTY OF FRIENDSHIP 
 
 The Way Out 
 
 The solution of life's problems — the Way Out 
 of trouble, sorrow, need, or any form of adversity — 
 that is a seeming necessity at some time in the life 
 of every member of the race of man. Life seems a 
 constant struggle from the cradle to the grave. As 
 we look about us it oftimes seems that those who do 
 attain an approximation of happiness and success 
 accomplish it through their being specially skillful 
 and powerful fighters or else merely fortunate in the 
 changes and chances of mortal life. 
 
 There are some kinds of struggle — supreme en- 
 deavor — that are good for us. They furnish needed 
 exercise of faculties and hence are constructive in 
 their effects. But there are other forms of intense 
 application which are pernicious for they constitute 
 action with poor judgment and virtue-sapping ex- 
 cess. At times it almost appears that humanity 
 still lacks the real humanitarian spirit and that hu- 
 man life is scarcely more secure than that of the 
 beast — a matter of the survival of the fittest. 
 
 Greed — a despicable form of selfishness — is at the 
 bottom of much of the existing w^oes of humanity. 
 Concentration in population is responsible for some 
 more. One of the many deplorable results is the 
 development of a hard, belligerent spirit, which is 
 apparent in individuals, classes and nations, particu- 
 larly in thickly populated districts, in cities and 
 small countries. People seem determined upon suc- 
 cess at any cost. Out of this spirit and the com- 
 
DUTY OF FRIENDSHIP 43 
 
 petitive system, grows a rank and poisonous weed, 
 the fumes of which generate an intoxication that 
 comprehends a willingness to kill! 
 
 Friendship — the fairest flower in the garden of 
 human virtues— is the great antidote. It is an ef- 
 fective preventative as well. Those who need it 
 most are the people who discover in their consci- 
 ousness the baneful kill-germ— a willingness to 
 entertain thoughts of homicide or suicide, on the 
 part of individuals, or war on the part of a nation. 
 
 With regard to the individual it may be men- 
 tioned that anyone who has ever gazed upon the face 
 of a killer will never forget the look he wears. The 
 apparent causes for such a frame of mind are va- 
 rious : disappointment in love, jealousy, change of 
 heart or transfer of affections on the part of another, 
 ill-health, financial troubles, and loneliness^ conse- 
 quent upon advancing years and an inability to 
 make and hold friends. 
 
 Murder — surely it is the most gruesome, awful, 
 ugly word in our language. To deliberately plan 
 and execute the taking of the life of a fellow being, 
 seems too shocking, too terrible to think or speak 
 about. And yet, every age since the world began 
 has had its share of blots upon the pages of his- 
 tory, for this despicable sin. 
 
 From a physiological standpoint, a person who 
 contemplates homicide has lost the ability to 
 think, except in ever-narrowing circles. The 
 murder-thought sears and paralyzes wherever it 
 goes, for it is against nature and every sparky of 
 life and principle. When a man cannot _ think 
 rationally, or will not listen to reason, he is in a 
 terrible condition. 
 
44 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 Truly "The wrath of man worketh not the ris^ht- 
 eousness of God." To one obsessed with such 
 brutish thoughts, "Thou shalt not kill" means 
 nothing, for he has forgotten everything but the 
 hope of satiating his lust. "Vengeance is mine, 
 saith the Lord." Hence a man who plans murder 
 is a profound egotist, flattering himself that he can 
 usurp the prerogative of Deity and right a wrong; 
 or at least gain some personal satisfaction by kill- 
 ing the victim of his hateful thoughts. 
 
 Surely it is absurd to think of changing a man's 
 mind by taking his life. Murder does not change 
 anything. It does not restore anything nor alter 
 conditions. The facts remain as they were before. 
 The killer frequently takes his own life. If not, 
 the authorities dispose of him in due time. His 
 thought of satisfaction dies with him. There can 
 be no satisfaction except in consciousness. Retri- 
 bution or punishment for any crime is dependent 
 upon the knowledge of the guilty one. The en- 
 trance of both victim and killer into the next phase 
 of existence must be on the same basis as their 
 departure from this life. Two wrongs never yet 
 made a right. Death to the body is the sentence 
 men impose for capital crimes but human mind 
 is the criminal and not the body. 
 
 A man who persistently entertains murder 
 thoughts will destroy himself. The saying, "re- 
 venge is sweet" is a lie. Revenge brings un- 
 speakable misery. When the perpetrator wakes up 
 and finds he has been meddling with divine law, 
 purpose and justice, he realizes that his act has 
 only made matters immeasurably worse. 
 
 Tricksters and criminals should, of course, be 
 apprehended. But snap judgments are usually 
 
DUTY OF FRIENDSHIP 45 
 
 wrong, and lynchings, mob violence and such 
 things place their participants upon the same level 
 as the offenders they seek to punish. 
 
 A murderer has lost pride, for, in seeking to kill, 
 by the means and circumstances which have entered 
 into the matter, and in the game of wits and power, 
 he is beaten. Yea, he is so thoroughly whipped 
 that he dares not allow the subject of his wrath to 
 live, lest he who now is worsted, be bested in sub- 
 sequent contests of power or influence. 
 
 The majority of murder cases appear to be a 
 result of matters involving sex relationship, or of 
 the love of money. Much of human grief comes 
 about from wrong teaching. Mankind is hypno- 
 tized by first one thing and then another. Reason 
 and the Truth alone can remedy this condition. 
 For one thing, a transfer of affection does not result 
 unless there has been existing previously a state of 
 greater or less dissatisfaction. A well-balanced 
 soul will say: "If the one I love best can be truly 
 better and nobler with someone else, I will be big 
 enough to step out of the way. If m}^ beloved can 
 progress more rapidly without me, then I know 
 that this one is idealized by my own fancy and is 
 not my true mate. The things we have in this 
 life are not ours to own but to use as the means 
 to an end. If I am not necessary to the welfare of 
 my beloved then I must teach my heart to love 
 elsewhere or not at all, as shall hereafter be revealed 
 to me as my proper portion." 
 
 Murder grows out of lust. A man who can say, 
 *T want only that which belongs to me," will never 
 be attacked by the killgerm. To destroy a life to 
 gain possession of money, property or person, is an 
 
46 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 act which will never bring- about happiness. The 
 bauble that glittered will prove empty of satisfac- 
 tion. 
 
 The man or woman who thinks by taking his or 
 her own life to be out of the way and enable the 
 fruition of purposes and desires on the part of 
 others, is placing too little value upon his or her 
 own life. Also such an one is forgetting that the 
 purposes of the Creator are not necessarily the ful- 
 fillment of human desires and carnal appetites. It 
 is not necessary for one to die in order to make 
 others happy. If they cannot be happy while the 
 self-sacrificing one lives, they would find no happi- 
 ness afterwards. Similarly, a man who thinks to 
 take the life of another to forward his own plans 
 can rest assured that no peace or happiness can 
 ever come to one who chooses such a way out of 
 nis problems. 
 
 The person who contemplates taking his own 
 life because of the death of a beloved companion 
 is utterly selfish. He thinks too much of himself 
 and needs to invest his thoughts and energies in be- 
 ing of use to others. He should be reminded that 
 life at best is but a short span so that it will not be 
 long till death can find him united to his beloved 
 one if he proves worthy to be on the same plane. 
 Furthermore he was put here to make progress — 
 not to reproach his Maker by insubordinately sev- 
 ering his golden thread of life. 
 
 Hidden amidst the haste and bustle about us are 
 some individuals who seem to find themselves 
 practically friendless — some who are discouraged 
 and forlorn. Then there are others who are 
 broken in health and finances, with no home and 
 no one to care for them or what becomes of them. 
 
DUTY OF FRIENDSHIP 47 
 
 Still others seem to have failed in all of life's enter- 
 prises. 
 
 Upon consulting statistics it is found that amon^ 
 the hosts of discouraged and unhappy ones are 
 many who choose to take the dark path in seeking 
 a way out of their troubles. It is stated that the 
 number of suicides is increasing, also the number 
 of people who lose mental balance. Of the suicides 
 it is found that twice as many men as women 
 choose to take their own lives, and that the age 
 of these people is from 25 to 50 years — while they 
 are in youth and the prime of life. 
 
 A considerable portion of those whose minds 
 break are victims of disease. But the disease of- 
 times itself is the result of pernicious habits — of 
 letting go, or indulging in, evil passions and wrong 
 mental tendences. Self-control and the recognition 
 from early childhod of proper authority — obedience 
 to parents and law, would preclude much of it. The 
 fast life is often chosen as a way out of mental tor- 
 ture. This is a confession of cowardice, self-pity 
 and moral weakness. To break the chain of action 
 and re-action and escape the maelstrom of^ nerve- 
 rack in life is not always easy. Determination and 
 grit are often very necessary. But it can be done, 
 by those who can muster the stamina to make the 
 effort. It is a great thing to be able to take all 
 things cooly and, as Elbert Hubbard puts it, ''not 
 take one's self too damned seriously!" But this 
 ability can be cultivated and philosophy is a helper 
 of inestimable value. 
 
 With regard to the larger portion — those people 
 who are merely discouraged, soured upon life, more 
 needs to be said. A civilization, a system of edu- 
 
48 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 cation, which does not increase the value, the joy, 
 of life is not only a failure but a horrible imposition 
 upon humanity. Character should be builded so 
 strong that the vicissitudes, the trials, imposed by 
 time and chance could not change the soul of cour- 
 age to a soul of cowardice or allow the substance 
 of the person's nature to so crumble or shrivel as 
 to make the cells incapable of responding to vibra- 
 tions of joy. 
 
 People who are unhappy and those who con- 
 template suicide, are appalled, disheartened, by 
 recollections of past failures and defeats. They are 
 hypnotized by chronic or acute pessimism. They 
 are overwhelmed by fear through warped, distorted, 
 hopeless, faithless vision of the future as based 
 upon the misfortune of past experiences. They 
 seek an easier way out than the path which lies be- 
 fore them with its rugged mountains, jagged rocks, 
 pitfalls and precipices. 
 
 Admittedly, something is wrong with our present 
 system of political economy and methods of con- 
 ducting the affairs of humanity. It is easy to 
 recognize the fact that the problems of mankind 
 are increasing and the world filled with turmoil 
 and perplexity. But the correction of these con- 
 ditions is not in decrease of population by war nor 
 in the destruction of life by individuals — by murder 
 or sucide. Co-operation and toleration are infinite- 
 ly better than mortal combat or selfish escape by 
 self-destruction. 
 
 One great need of the world — one great work 
 of each individual — is the cultivation of benevo- 
 lence and the elimination of the colossal selfishness 
 which is cursing, marring, our beautiful world and 
 
DUTY OF FRIENDSHIP 49 
 
 taking the joy out of our associations with our 
 fellow beings, disgracing mankind. 
 
 Suicide is utterly selfish. It docs not save. 
 Even though it did accomplish deliverance it would 
 still be unjustifiable. Every individual is right 
 where he belongs just now. If it were not so he 
 would be somewhere else. Providence does see 
 to that. Wherefore, everyone, who chooses that way 
 out sins most grievously and is rebelliously choos- 
 ing to interfere with Divine Purpose. 
 
 Those who are advanced in spiritual develop- 
 ment — the Elder Brothers of the race — those whose 
 sympathy is divine — not the maudlin hysteria that 
 attempts to counterfeit it — those masters behold the 
 slaves and the fellow beings who are weakening in 
 the struggle, with utmost compassion. If one feels 
 stirring in his own bosom a desire to help laboring 
 humanity he may know he has attained the second 
 birth — that he is born again — of the Spirit — and is 
 a child in the spiritual Kingdom. 
 
 Such a new being finds that he perceives the 
 needs of humanity, is moved to search out the 
 damaged vessels and derelicts upon life's troubled 
 sea; and that he longs to aid and comfort them. 
 He further discovers that he is craving to be pos- 
 sessed of the wisdom and opportunity to speak the 
 Word that will rekindle the smouldering fires of 
 faith, hope, courage, ambition and energy — find a 
 means of bringing these laboring vessels safely to 
 haven, (heaven.) 
 
 Beholding a prodigal son, a discouraged strug- 
 gler or a bewildered traveller — or one who is soul- 
 sick, to him also the growing God-child longs to 
 speak the Word of the loving father, the renewing 
 
50 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 message of the Christ, the comforting- guidance of 
 the Spirit — the Word of Healing. He who finds 
 within himself such vision, such impulse, such ex- 
 perience, may know of a certainty that he is grow- 
 ing — progressing toward the Kingdom — oneness 
 with the Divine. "My Father and I are one," is 
 the blessed goal! There is but one Way to the 
 Father. This is the Way Out! But we cannot 
 enter heaven until we are fit : We may not break in 
 at the windows or burrow under the walls. We 
 must use the entrance provided. Furthermore, we 
 could not be happy and at home there with worldly 
 longings troubling the breast and the heart lusting 
 for that which does not satisfy. 
 
 There are numerous examples of the fact that it 
 is easier to heal a sick body than a sick soul. But 
 it is most assuredly true that if the vital spark — 
 the right words — the light of right ideas — can be 
 placed within that breast, then will the happy 
 transformation and transfiguration occur ! 
 
 Moreover, we do know for a certainty that this 
 very thing can be done because it has been done — 
 and that full many times ! When it is done — Oh, 
 how the eye that once was dull lights up with vital 
 gleams ; the stoop falls away from the erstwhile 
 drooping shoulders ; the slouching gait is replaced 
 by the firm, elastic tread of self-assurance and 
 power — poise in right-ness — when this miracle is 
 done! 
 
 In all probability anyone who seems to lack 
 friends needs to get busy and be a friend! Those 
 whose thought has not been opened to the light 
 of divine illumination may not dream what a joy 
 it is to be of service. Such know not what a trans- 
 port of delight occurs when one is privileged to 
 
DUTY OF FRIENDSHIP 51 
 
 whisper the inspiring Word or perform the needed 
 Act that convinces a doubting Thomas, saves a 
 sinking Peter, or Samson-Hke, fells the temples of 
 the Philistines! But he who feels the Divine Urge 
 to do so, need awake and bestir himself that he may 
 acquire the equipment that will enable him to thus 
 show or help some one to the right way out! 
 
 When one feels himself inspired to be-friend — 
 be a friend to— some fellow-being whom he may 
 find, who is desperately in need of this sort of 
 friendly aid, then he should strive to learn how 
 best to do this thing. It is not work for the babes, 
 the uninformed, untutored and unpracticed. On 
 the contrary, effort and rehearsal, model, formula 
 and repeated endeavor are all necessary to acquire 
 ability and facility in spiritual matters. But the 
 student may take comfort in the reflection that there 
 is need of such work because everybody requires 
 building up— needs spiritual food and drmk and 
 spiritual exercise— and will gladly accept of it if it 
 come in the right way and at the right time T act 
 and judgment figure in this world also. Where is 
 our treasure? Where does our interest lie? ihis 
 is the index as to what manner of being we are! 
 
 The only medicine that will aid the soul that is 
 sick is THE TRUTH— the Truth of God. It en- 
 livens like dew upon wilting flowers. The truth 
 an individual can declare which he himself has 
 proven is of most value both to himself and any- 
 one he would help. But it is true and we can con- 
 fidently declare to any one, that, 'There ^mameth 
 therefore a rest of the people of God. i he W ay 
 Out— to peace and happiness— is not by worldly 
 pleasures, but by Knowledge. The Way Out oi 
 
52 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 problems and involved affairs is by Divine Guid- 
 ance which can be obtained only by paying the 
 price of consecration ! 
 
 When a man has suffered enough he will be will- 
 ing to listen to that which rings true to the ear of 
 his soul as Truth. "Whoso loveth instruction 
 loveth knowledge ; but he that hateth reproof is 
 brutish." 
 
 Love is the great healer, the unfailing magnet — 
 the core of friendship. By love is even the cross 
 sanctified. The law is impartial, too. Therefore 
 you can assure the forsaken one, (the failure, the 
 figure that is trying to make his One into a 
 Naught) — that the trouble is in himself and is 
 therefore mechanical, — obstructive — hence, curable. 
 Either his methods or his direction of effort have 
 been wrong. Only cowards quit! It is most ab- 
 surd to lie down on the path because one finds the 
 journey has been partly in the wrong direction. 
 Turn around, man, and keep on travelling! 
 
 Tell him to be one of the sturdy souls who have 
 the stamina to accept the situation — the impersonal 
 signpost which declares that he must turn about and 
 retrace his steps until the distance travelled in the 
 wrong direction is fully re-traced before he can 
 expect a change in the landscape and surroundings 
 and experiences ; before he can see the proof that 
 he is nearing the worthy goal of Heart's Desire. 
 
 By study, thought and practice we can equip 
 ourselves for meeting every problem, any case of 
 a person who contemplates suicide. For one thing 
 we can tell him that to put out his own light does 
 not bring the change he hopes for, because he has 
 not affected a change in his own heart and mind, 
 
DUTY OF FRIENDSHIP 53 
 
 but merely produced a disturbance which will only- 
 result in the distintegration of particles of matter 
 known as the physical temple and he will have the 
 equivalent for his present problems on the other 
 side. The Universe would be unjust otherwise. 
 
 It is for us who are interested in building up our 
 consciousness, our spiritual temples, to demonstrate 
 that the right Way Out is by self-abnegation — the 
 forgetting of self — the lifting up of the thought till 
 the entire life is lived for and to God. This is begun 
 by doing one's every action as unto Him and not as 
 unto persons, nor for gain, nor fame, self-advance- 
 ment or any other selfish motive. When this is 
 done, then is effort and even suffering glorified 
 and happiness attained — the meat that the world 
 knows not of! As it is written; "Whatsoever ye 
 do, work it heartily as unto the Lord and not as 
 unto men ; knowing that of the Lord ye shall re- 
 ceive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve 
 the Lord Christ." 
 
 Moreover, we can say to the despondent one 
 with assurance : "Your despondency devitalizes you, 
 kills your magnetism ; renders you incapable of 
 drawing to yourself that which you desire ; it 
 makes you altogether negative; causes you to warp 
 your ONE into a NAUGHT so far as the attain- 
 ment of your proper desires is concerned. It is 
 proper to desire Good." 
 
 Furthermore we can assure the dejected one 
 that the very thing which caused all this train of 
 losses which so distresses him now, is just the con- 
 tinuation and progeny of that negative condition 
 of mind that excuses quitting and allows 'him 
 flinching and cowardice. Furthermore the weari- 
 
54 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 ness he seems to feel is of the mortal, physical, 
 earthy man and has nothing to do it with his better 
 self, which is being poisoned by fear and doubt. 
 Tell him that the proper antidote and his only 
 hope here or anywhere else is to do right and that 
 the first step in doing right is to take hold again 
 of life with new resolution, courage and faith ; to 
 live for God and not for self, and to await the call, 
 the will, of the Almighty as to when this mortal 
 existence shall be surrendered or released. This 
 is the noble, the positive, the proper, yea, the only 
 RIGHT Way Out! 
 
 The Way-shower said : "Take my yoke upon you 
 and learn of me and ye shall find rest unto your 
 souls." Mark you, we must learn before we can 
 rest. Hence, there is work to be done. And after 
 work, comes rest — and peace of mind meanwhile. 
 
 In order to befriend one who needs befriending, 
 we must needs familiarize ourselves with the view- 
 point of him who is down in the depths. There is 
 need for sympathetic understanding and compas- 
 sionate thought to earn the confidence and search 
 out the secret need of such a soul. For when 
 one is found who wants to quit life's school room — 
 existence on this mundane sphere — he has such a 
 desire because of having lost patience, just as he 
 has lost faith. He knows not how to "Rest in the 
 Lord; wait patiently for Him." 
 
 In our preparation we should make ready to tell 
 the groping one that this much is sure : When a 
 man wants to quit, wants to find a quick and easy 
 Way Out ; acknowledges himself beaten in the 
 game of life, then he needs to stick — hang on to life 
 — more than most of the others, because he has so 
 
DUTY OF FRIENDSHIP 55 
 
 much to learn here! He is most unfit to go on. If 
 he can find no other incentive to live, let him take 
 this one: "Stay with the game. Find the RIGHT 
 Way Out and then stick around and help some 
 other poor, deluded, despondent fellow who is as 
 bewildered and broken down as you were, to do 
 the like. When you wake up and get to the top of 
 the hill, pull yourself out of the night of despair, 
 you will wonder that you could have had such ab- 
 surd notions. If you do not feel inspired to continue 
 living as a privilege, then live as a duty you owe to 
 God and man." If he will do that then he will see 
 that all he needed was practice in doing good to 
 — in conquering — mastering the problems before 
 him. He surely did not need to be baby-ed by be- 
 ing excused from the class-room and the call to 
 Progress ! 
 
 The fires of love for our fellowman burn all to^ 
 feebly. To know God's love we need to be more 
 like Him. By Love alone can we learn how the 
 great Heart of Love reaches out to touch these 
 weak, weary, stumbling sons and daughters, heal- 
 ing, soothing, strengthening with its wondrous 
 warmth and ineffable radiance, making bright the 
 darkened recesses of the mind and heart and life — 
 bright as the brightness of noonday, revealing the 
 fact that shadows are naught! 
 
 Beloved — we of the Fellowship — we of the army 
 of Friends of Mankind — let us keep our wits pol- 
 ished — our spiritual armament bright with constant 
 use. Then we can offer the weak and weary, hun- 
 gering unfortunates that which will rest and nour- 
 ish. Then we can give the cup of cold water to the 
 thirsty one who knows not as yet that his condi- 
 
56 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 tion is due to the fact that he has not drunk of the 
 waters of life and had his being purified therewith ; 
 that he has eaten of that which is not bread and 
 scorned the manna from heaven. Hence he has 
 drooped and lost resemblance to his own ideals, or 
 his Maker's for him. 
 
 Everyone who seems forsaken and weary, sick 
 or in the bondage of error or passion, may be as- 
 sured that he has missed the right Way Out by 
 hiding his own light — his own better nature — under 
 a bushel instead of letting it shine on his own and 
 his neighbor's way. Everyone who gets down may 
 know that he has been opposing the divine will or 
 living for self. He that is true to his higher self 
 and lives to the best of his ability, is NOT A 
 FAILURE! He who meets the conditions laid 
 down by the All-Father is never lost ! 
 
 If one is found who has a chronic sense of 
 lack of welcome and amiability, one who seems 
 miserable with friendlessness, tell him to try smil- 
 ing — practicing hearty good cheer upon all with 
 whom he comes in contact. Or, let him but speak 
 kindly to a stray dog in the street — saving a bit of 
 meat from his plate to feed some four-footed mon- 
 grel tramp. He will find welcome there and thus 
 recive assurance through the accepted caress and 
 attention, that there remains within the man, that 
 which will blossom and prove, he has as much to 
 live for and enjoy as he is developed to do. 
 
 Though this one who calls himself lonely and 
 friendless, claim that he is forsaken of kindred, for- 
 tune, business associates, club men, friends of the 
 years that are gone, old contemporaries who now 
 look upon him as a back number and a crank — an 
 
DUTY OF FRIENDSHIP 57 
 
 old fogey with musty ideas — nevertheless there will 
 be found within him that which will enable a work- 
 ing out of his life's problems and the acquirement 
 of happiness and peace, if he will but stick and go 
 after these things with the right spirit and wide- 
 awake, humble, willing, intelligent mind. Tell h-m 
 to begin by getting a better opinion of himself — 
 by adjusting himself to the world, the needs of the 
 hour, since they refuse to adjust to him; then 
 simply keep sweet and give of the best that is in 
 him today. 
 
 By the governing of his own thoughts he can 
 learn to simply let joy and peace reign in his own 
 heart. It is all a matter of habit. Looking for the 
 friendly acknowledgments of goodwill and good 
 words — his own sincere efforts to serve humanity 
 —he will find that they are blooming only he has 
 not been seeing them because he was too much 
 taken up with looking for something to justify his 
 continuing on the downward path and then seek- 
 ing an easier Way Out. 
 
 If not more interesting means of upbuilding 
 come to mind, let the downcast one take a walk in 
 the park, taking some bread along to feed the spar- 
 rows or pigeons. They will appreciate his friendly 
 attentions and furnish a good example of content 
 and cheerfulness. Never again should he say that 
 he is useless— an incumbrance upon society. Even 
 though he be a helpless invalid he yet may do good. 
 For behold, he can give example of good cheer 
 under difficulties and also furnish opportunity for 
 someone to obtain exercise of benevolent faculties 
 ^patience and fortitude— through caring for him. 
 And such lessons are needed. All suffering has a 
 
58 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 tendency to drive men home to God and make them 
 look to a Higher Power for aid and to redeem 
 them from sensuality and worldliness. 
 
 It therefore follows that we stand on proper 
 ground in attempting to be-friend the weakest of 
 men and may tell him that he can yet attain a bet- 
 ter grade before his Maker than if he seek a 
 WRONG Way Out. Wherefore he should take 
 heart. He alone is beaten and lonely who takes 
 such a position in his own thought and shuts him- 
 self away from love — from mingling with his own 
 kind and that which could cheer him. Sometimes 
 the greatest need is that he learn to make himself 
 attractive and present his sheaves in an acceptable 
 manner. But it is sure that even for him, there is 
 a RIGHT Way Out and sticking here and thinking 
 will enable him to find it. 
 
 Everyone of us should know and never lose track 
 of the point, that no matter what one's situation 
 may be, he has a field of usefulness — a field of in- 
 fluence. Moreover no one is able to say how ex- 
 tended it may be. But by precept and example, by 
 counsel and endeavor, he is affecting those he con- 
 tacts as he walks on in his life's pilgrimage. We 
 should all then strive to order our lives in such a 
 way as will cause them to be an inspiration to 
 others. We should know that the Father may be 
 using us in ways we know not for doing good to 
 others. Sometimes that which appears to us as 
 old, worn-out, feeble and useless, is being employed 
 for distant purposes and ends of the Creator's de- 
 sign for the race. 
 
 Everyone should often reflect that he really 
 does not know what eyes are beholding him. Above 
 
DUTY OF FRIENDSHIP 59 
 
 all, God himself is watching. And with the Al- 
 mighty the commendation, the glory, the reward, 
 is for the man who makes the effort. Hence, no 
 one is ever justified in being a quitter! The manly, 
 decent, sensible, thing to do is to choose the 
 RIGHT Way Out! Let the discouraged one take 
 hold of himself— rise, "gird up his loins like a 
 man" and say : 
 
 "The hope within my heart — it shall not die! 
 My faith in God and self through Him shall 
 
 stand ! 
 Though mists obscure I know my God is nigh- 
 Good shall prevail dealt by His loving hand !" 
 
THE ECLIPSE OF FRIENDSHIP 
 
 Blessed is the man who feels within him the 
 call, the impulse, the urge, to do something worth 
 while — to be somebody ; to be a progressive soul, 
 bent on self-improvement for the fulfilling of the 
 law of fruition in perfection of species; Blessed is 
 the man who realizes his present state and feels 
 the sublime inspiration to catch and hold the 
 glimpses of better things beyond the present stage 
 of development; blessed is the man who has the 
 vision of things as they ought to be — as they yet 
 may be — himself, as God has predestinated him. 
 
 In entertaining notions of higher ideals, the wise 
 soul takes heed to establish the virtue of Stead- 
 fastness. To be firmly fixed, clear in apprehen- 
 sion of correct standing, firmly grounded as to 
 premise, resolute in purpose, steady, unwavering 
 in attitude and direction of energies ; this is the 
 great achievement; this is the base from which 
 constructive efforts in character building and mind 
 enrichment, can operate. 
 
 The steadfast soul is he who can obey the in- 
 junction: *'Be strong; fear not." And thus, in spite 
 of adverse influences, the mal-practice of misguided 
 or vindictive (or uninformed) people, with their 
 baneful outlining relating to his probable conduct 
 in this test; despite cynical deductions regarding 
 the mental processes in which the soul under fire 
 is about to indulge, he must resist these onslaughts 
 of Carnal Mind thoughts. The soul of the wise — 
 will not jangle with the vibrations of baseness, per- 
 
ECLIPSE OF FRIENDSHIP 61 
 
 fidy, commonness or lack of principle! Such things 
 should find no lodgment in his purified conscious- 
 ness. He should remain leal and true and steady — 
 unwavering — in his thoughts, his course, his atti- 
 tude. Like a gallant ship at sea, he should hold 
 to his compass despite ill winds and raging storms. 
 
 For comfort, approval and admonition to con- 
 tinue in this manner, he should recall the words 
 of Paul, "Be ye steadfast — unmovable, always 
 abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as 
 ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 
 And he should bear in mind, moreover, that it is in- 
 deed a creditable thing to be a man — to be able to 
 stand alone — staunch and true — faithful — steadfast 
 — in spite of every adverse thing; to stand by 
 one's principles and intelligent choices when cher- 
 ished props and stays are stricken away and be- 
 loved ties are sundered; when one's hopes of ful- 
 fillment seem utterly, hopelessly wrecked. But it is 
 even a greater thing to be able to stand alone when 
 one is denied the consolation of the trust and con- 
 fidence of the people one has chosen to serve — 
 those whom one has elected to bless by the conse- 
 cration, yea the sacrifice of his own sacred person 
 — his time, talents and capacities. And yet that 
 thing has been done. If need be let each one of us 
 firmly stand and do as well. Let us also be game 
 and manifest Steadfastness! Yea, let every soul 
 who is teachable and wise — everyone who aspires to 
 the Heights of Sonship — be ready at all times to 
 prove his apprehension of the idea of Steadfastness 
 — even when forsaken by those whose co-operation 
 would be most gratifying — when there is nothing 
 in sight but his own consciousness of his own acts 
 and principles! 
 
WOMAN 
 
 To each individual certain words are in repute 
 or disgrace according to the ideas associated with 
 them. For instance, the word woman, as applied 
 to a certain member of the fair and gentler sex, 
 might seem to that one, to be disrespectful. Where- 
 as, could she but know just what that word pic- 
 tured to the one using it — just what it meant to 
 him — she would not feel hurt, but honored ; and 
 the rising repugnance and resentment would melt 
 away as snow before the summer sun. 
 
 If the reader will kindly give me audience I 
 should like to try to tell something of what I feel 
 in using the word. Would I could describe what 
 a feeling of reverence comes over me when I medi- 
 ate upon it. Comes a mental picture of the spirit 
 of beauty, comfort, joy and service embodied and 
 sweetly manifested. 
 
 Seeking a better or more comprehensible word, 
 we meet the word lady. The foreign associations 
 of this word have made it so generally coveted, 
 that now it has been appropriated by every class. 
 Hence we have salesladies, scrub-ladies, etc. Nev- 
 ertheless, all who affect the term do not conduct 
 themselves in a manner to render it additionally 
 valuable in the impression that will hereafter ac- 
 company the expression. 
 
 The word lady, of course, meant more in those 
 countries and times, where peerage was in high 
 esteem — where the rich are ''noble" and the poor 
 are merely "the peasantry" who serve the rich for 
 the privilege of keeping alive, eating and sleeping, 
 
WOMAN 63 
 
 having a family and otherwise spending their days 
 as a *'kind Providence" appears to order. 
 
 But just for this casual glance, let us take the 
 premise that the word lady implies that the indi- 
 vidual referred to is possessed of hereditary or con- 
 ferred rank. And this may or may not be due to 
 nobility of character or for services to humanity. 
 Let it be granted that the word comprehends social 
 standing. But in so doing, let it not be overlooked 
 that this standing may result more from the wealth 
 of the husband than to acknowledged personal 
 worth. Moreover, the husband himself may be 
 merely another beneficiary (or perhaps we should 
 victim) of the accident of birth. But in our country, 
 the expression, lady, indicates social prestige, 
 wealth, and in too many instances, uselessness. 
 
 To be a lady, is largely fortuitous. To be a true 
 woman, is a matter of voluntary choice and the 
 demonstration of the power to acquire and attain 
 mental and moral riches— a matter, then, of char- 
 acter with the individual. Therefore, the word 
 woman should carry with it a much deeper signi- 
 ficance than the word lady. The former should sug- 
 gest the greatest institution of human life— home! 
 And also, compassion, tenderness, mercy, inspira- 
 tion, appreciation, and— greatest of all— love. 
 
 Therefore the word woman should awaken wor- 
 shipful impulses bringing a picture of brightness 
 and hope— a picture of human life as it ought to 
 be— normal and satisfying. For woman induces 
 man to look upward. She has so lived that man 
 may expect to behold in her the very embodiment 
 of Good— of kindness and peaceableness. History 
 
64 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 has proven that she will certainly manifest sym- 
 pathy, understanding and co-operation. 
 
 By what she has been, through the ages, woman 
 has proven that with her is a perfume of serenity — 
 a fragrance that brings rest and pleasure — and well- 
 nigh guarantees a wonderful, sweet and satisfying 
 companionship — the completion of the unit, man; 
 the complement of evolved masculine qualities. 
 
 Woman means a presence as of an angel of 
 light — an entity which banishes dirt, vulgarity and 
 baseness as well as loneliness and which thrills man 
 with inspiration and noble purpose. Woman is the 
 supreme benediction as shown by the history of the 
 race, whereby the thinking man says with bated 
 breath, the holy word, mother, or whispers in happy 
 appreciation, wife. It beams its beneficence in the 
 helpfulness of sister, and the charm, joy and com- 
 fort of an intelligent, interested and interesting 
 friend — one who understands. 
 
 To be a lady, then, might or might not mean the 
 possession of the attributes of woman. But to be 
 worthy to be called woman one must realize the 
 nobility of the title and live up to that concept. 
 To be called a woman means that one is classified 
 with that vast army of sweet souls whose capacity 
 to do and suffer and sacrifice — to uplift, inspire and 
 comfort — to live unselfishly and serve, without hope 
 of reward other than the knowledge of having done 
 her privileged part in the welfare of those she loved. 
 Such have been the fulcrum from which GOOD has 
 operated in the experience of humanity through the 
 ages. These things have made the word woman 
 to be the sweetest, holiest title that can be ad- 
 dressed to a member of the gentler sex. 
 
MAN 
 
 Man is the generic term for humankind. The 
 entirety cannot rightly be divided into two sex 
 divisions since neither part could exist without the 
 other. Hence, to speak of a "superior sex" or an 
 ''inferior sex," is absurd. The only time we could 
 consistently refer to either part of the entirety, 
 would be in view of a specific use, whether one or 
 the other part would be preferable to fill the exist- 
 ing need. But for the purpose of book-making or 
 the elucidation of certain points — or, as it were, for 
 the presentation of a bone (of contention) to a pair 
 of puppies in order to give them something to growl 
 and fuss about — it is a common practice to consider 
 the two halves separately. 
 
 For home-making, comfort and exercise of the 
 gentler qualities, the feminine element would be in 
 her glory ; for building a sky-scraper, send for the 
 masculine. Notwithstanding, a woman may repre- 
 sent the masculine qualities, just as a man may 
 sometimes represent the feminine qualities. How- 
 beit in the ultimate, each soul shall be complete in 
 itself. Meantime, each part may exchange places 
 with the other on occasion, although best results 
 obtain when each remains in his and her natural 
 and normal sphere. 
 
 What then, is meant by the expression : "That 
 fellow is a man!"? 
 
 In one aspect a man is simply a male human, 
 come to full stature, strong in body, fully matured 
 and able to take a normal adult's part in the world's 
 afifairs. To be a man in this regard, would mean 
 
66 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 for the subject to be fit, capable and willing to serve 
 humanity and be of use ; one who had reached the 
 full development of his capacities — the ideal ful- 
 fillment of the seed from which he sprang — the 
 maximum of power and capability for the species 
 he represents; a normal specimen of the genera, 
 man. 
 
 In another aspect, the expression, a man, could 
 refer to the character as reflected in conduct — as 
 in benevolence, generosity and the like. For in- 
 stance, in the case of the ancient gladiator days, 
 two men would be matched to fight. They meas- 
 ured skill, physical endurance, speed, courage and 
 similar masculine qualities. When one had been 
 worsted — out-done, and acknowledged himself 
 beaten, being disarmed, the winner might spare his 
 life. That would be playing the part of a man. 
 
 Or in more modern days, if two men engaged in 
 a boxing bout, and one in time were bested, it would 
 not be the part of a man to continue beating him 
 after he had cried, "enough !" 
 
 Or in the game of war : if in a skirmish one side 
 were worsted and hoisted the white flag, it would 
 be mean and unmanly of the commanding officer to 
 fail to heed the appeal for mercy, and give the 
 signal to ''cease firing." 
 
 To be a man then, is to play the part of upright- 
 ness, fairness and nobility, and exercise considera- 
 tion for a beaten foe. 
 
 Thus in civil life, when one takes oath of office 
 and agrees to discharge certain public duties, and 
 finds secret opportunity for graft — the betrayal of 
 trust — the chance of self-advancement by neglect of 
 
MAN 67 
 
 duty ; by the acceptance of bribes, or of allowing 
 crooks to operate, or prisoners to escape ; and in 
 the face of disapproval of his fellow politicians, loss 
 of reputation owing to their machinations wrought 
 in self-protection, if this tested one keep the path 
 of honor and fidelity, it should be said of him, ''That 
 fellow is a man !" 
 
 When one loves a woman, marries her and does 
 his best for her, yet finds that she is allowing her- 
 self to indulge in weaknesses, and her husband 
 learns of it, accepts her penitence, loves her still, 
 and tries to help her overcome her evil tendencies, 
 ministers to her as before, this fellow is in the man 
 class. 
 
 When one loves a woman so much that her hap- 
 piness is his happiness no matter whether or not 
 he be included in her scheme of things — if he has 
 taken her into his bosom and then learned that he 
 could not fill the place in her heart and life that he 
 had hoped to fill ; that another man meant happi- 
 ness to her, and he is willing to let her go her way, 
 willing to step aside, this fellow is also in the man 
 class. 
 
 Or, take it in the business world : Should one 
 find that his partner has played him false and he 
 gather indisputable, convincing, incriminating evi- 
 dence and make his partner come face to face with 
 it, thereby obtaining a full confession; then, should 
 he forgive his erring comrade, nor push the case, 
 nor seek revenge, nor nurture bitterness in his own 
 heart. Surely such a pilgrim deserves to be called 
 a man. 
 
 If all the hopes of a life seem fair fulfilled and 
 
68 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 then the fell hand of Disaster sweep them all away; 
 if the disciple find himself shorn of youth, with 
 health impaired as well ; should that unfortunate 
 or tested one have the heart to start again, make 
 the best of the existing conditions, pick up his 
 worn-out tools and begin life all over again, then 
 this representative of humankind deserves to have 
 said of him, "That fellow is a man." 
 
 If one have the courage of his convictions and 
 stand alone, firm, unshaken by assaults of eloquence 
 or taunts of the hateful — stand pat and unflinching 
 against the whole wide world : 
 
 If one seem guilty and yet refuse to squeal, faces 
 incarceration in prison, consignment to an alms- 
 house, or the gallows, to protect a woman : 
 
 If one equip himself with education and a dis- 
 ciplined body to serve humanity, not for wealth, 
 fame or favor of a lovely woman — solely to do 
 good, serve God by serving man, without selfish 
 reservation or selfish ambition : 
 
 If one forego the normal rights and privileges 
 as a duty in order to provide for aged or infirm 
 parents : 
 
 If one can patiently bear imposition ; unreason- 
 able demands ; false accusations ; suspicion ; the 
 withholding of due reward ; the deferring of hopes, 
 without reviling — without losing faith in God or 
 his fellowmen; without blaming anyone, realizing 
 that the wrong the other fellow does is usually done 
 because the doer cannot help it : 
 
 If one can stand on his own feet, not be a leaner 
 — can be a kite and not merely a tail-piece for 
 somebodv else's ; if he can bravely contend for 
 
MAN 69 
 
 right when it is time to fight, or patiently endure 
 when it is time to wait ; if one can live an unselfish 
 life, unattached, demanding nothing but the priv- 
 ilege of being of use; if one persist faithfully, in- 
 telligently, in adhering to principle, is calm in 
 danger, strong in affliction, patient in tribulation, 
 good-natured in the face of vexing trials, honest in 
 the face of temptation, truthful even though it 
 would be more popular to lie : 
 
 If one avoids taking advantage of the weakness or 
 ignorance of others ; is also conscientious about the 
 discharge of self-assumed obligations, then this 
 candidate is attaining a high grade — is rising to 
 such a standard of character-excellence as would 
 match in nobility the attributes of the other half of 
 mankind — Woman. Of such a worthy specimen 
 might it well be said, "That fellow is a man!'* 
 
 \/ 
 
 ^ 
 
WORDS 
 
 To me there is an unspeakable charm about 
 Words. It is a source of delight to string them 
 together as a strand of pearls. Their infinite va- 
 riety of combination is always cause for wonder. 
 And it is the writer's happy privilege and natural 
 province, to assemble ideas and clothe them in 
 suitable Words for the stimulation of mental pro- 
 cesses in other people, serving as in the capacity 
 of mouth-piece for persons possessed of less facil- 
 ity of expression. 
 
 The present scribe feels no hesitancy in plac- 
 ing before his readers in a public print the Senti- 
 ments herein given, because of his conviction that 
 it is the spirit, the principle, that we love in any- 
 one, and that ths spirit is common to many. This 
 does away with excessive egotism and also shows 
 us that that which we felt, on the old basis of think- 
 ing, was distinctively individual, is only that eter- 
 nal trait or quality of goodness, manifested by the 
 particular person whom we have in mind. These 
 utterances then, are not only for the special friend 
 to whom they were originally written, but apply 
 equally to all persons who are worthy of such esti- 
 mation. There are many to whom such praise and 
 appreciation is due, who find precious little of it 
 along the pathway of life. To those I offer a 
 message — that their worth is not unavailing and 
 that their deeds of goodness are irrevocably rec- 
 orded by Him who marks the sparrow's fall ; and 
 that by such deeds are they building mansions 
 where rust and moth doth not corrupt, nor thieves 
 break in and steal. 
 
WORDS 71 
 
 In other words, the present writer feels that all 
 which the individual may cognize as possible of 
 classification and identificaton, has been manifested, 
 reflected by countless millions before he came into 
 the present sense of being. Wherefore it seems 
 proper to take the premise that everything which 
 to the individual has been helpful and happifying, 
 in any relationship, is something which may be 
 enjoyed without measure — something which is 
 enduring. For behold, it is fabricated out of that 
 stuff which is as indestructible as the universe. 
 
 The present writer has been blessed with many 
 sweet friends. One who was a little selfish in her 
 thinking — somewhat exclusive — replied to one of his 
 pretty speeches, "That is very fine but how many 
 have you told that to?" The correct answer was, 
 "As many as I have met who seemed to deserve 
 it." And that is why I publish these personal sal- 
 utations. 
 
 We may rest then, in the assurance that every 
 fine quality that has endeared any friend to us is 
 permanent because it is good — spiritual and eter- 
 nal. For evil andi decay are consuming them- 
 selves into nothingness. But these beloved traits, 
 these virtues existed in the mind of the Original 
 Builder before time was. They existed in real 
 world before the particular human whom one has 
 loved, was born into mundane existence. There- 
 fore they will continue after the friend who mani- 
 fested them has passed on — -either to other earthly 
 environment or into the Great Beyond. A source 
 of joy exists for the people who are fortunate 
 enough to cognize them. 
 
 Because of these reflections the present writer 
 
72 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 experiences no sense of indelicacy in allowing 
 anyone to read these humble lines. For only those 
 who share sufficiently the love of beauty and good- 
 ness — all that is capable of awakening- lofty as- 
 pirations — will care to peruse these pages. 
 
 They and he are kindred spirits and there exists 
 between us such bonds as guarantee mutual 
 trust. The reader knows it is a joy to write — to 
 have read, shared, what one has given out of his 
 inmost heart. And he who, writes dares hope that 
 there will also be joy to the reader in entering into 
 these realms of thought with the writer. This is 
 one form of companionship. Let us enjoy these 
 thoughts together. We are friends. I would not 
 write did I not expect to find you. You would not 
 read were you not able to respond to these vibra- 
 tions, for you could not approve thereof and would 
 turn away. 
 
 Words seem to me much like the colored threads 
 employed by a skilled artisan in the weaving of a 
 wonderful, multi-colored tapestry; or as the paints 
 in the hands of a skilled and consecrated artist ; or 
 as the tones employed by the musician in fashion- 
 ing beautiful melodies and rhythms and chords. 
 Yet all of these may be vividly described in words. 
 Hence in many ways man is gifted with tools and 
 materials whereby to mimic the power of Nature 
 to group, assemble, blend, solidify or disperse pri- 
 mary elements, or lights and shades as seen at 
 dawn in the Arctic sky or at sunset in the tropics. 
 
 The Words hereinafter set forth under the gen- 
 eral caption of Sentiments were originally as- 
 sembled for the purpose of accompanying gifts to 
 
WORDS 73 
 
 beloved friends. But the Words were greater than 
 the material offering because they came from the 
 treasure-vaults of the heart. Holding thoughts of 
 Beauty and Goodness cultivates the spiritual na- 
 ture. Such words are too sacred to be humanly 
 personal or limited. 
 
 ^^x 
 
FRIENDSHIP'S HARVEST 
 
 In the life of the writer hereof the Fruits of 
 Friendship are reflected by the following: 
 
 Sentiments 
 
 On a Useful Article 
 
 Permit me, please, dear sweet lady (or man), 
 precious friend, to attempt by the means of this 
 humble gift, to express a little of the joy and grati- 
 tude I have to God for the privilege of knowing you 
 and holding for such a time as it may be my lot to 
 enjoy, the position I hold toward you and you to- 
 ward me. For I know that, whatever may or may 
 not come to pass in your life or mine, Memory will 
 ever hold the happy hours of peace and holy pleas- 
 ure I have been privileged to enjoy through the 
 mercy of having found the solace of that you have 
 given me in being yourself and in caring a little for 
 me. 
 
 God bless you then, and bring you everything that 
 your heart desires, which may be good for you to 
 have. May you unfold in beauty, beauty of person 
 and soul alike, in understanding, riches of mind, 
 friends — find your right place in God's great uni- 
 verse and fulfill it and your divine mission, with 
 joy. 
 
 H: ■^ -^ 
 
 On a Gift of Music 
 
 Gravestones are seldom seen on other than Mem- 
 orial Day. 
 
 The best tablet then, is that which we write in the 
 minds and hearts of those with whom we come in 
 
FRIENDSHIP'S HARVEST 75 
 
 contact — those nearest and dearest to us. 
 
 May the memory of the writer soothe, cheer and 
 stir to nobility of life and character, like meaningful 
 music. 
 
 Be g-entle, kind and just; 
 
 Fear not, but hope and trust. 
 
 On a Somewhat Pretentious Gift 
 
 It is not well to be suspicious. Neither is it good 
 to be too saguinely trustful. Remember the prayer 
 of the man who had suffered betrayal : "God of 
 Justice, save me I beseech Thee, from my friends, 
 and I myself will take care of my enemies." 
 
 False friends and designing persons who feign 
 friendship, by oily words, sometimes slip within 
 the camp and poison our entire army of loyal de- 
 fenders. 
 
 To a New Friend 
 
 It has been but a short time since I first made 
 your acquaintance. You wear well. The longer I 
 know you the better I like you. I, count as happy, 
 those who have the privilege of more extended as- 
 sociation ; for, if you are half as sweet as you appear 
 to be, the world is richer for your being in it. 
 
INITIATIVE 
 
 Initiative would seem to comprehend the ability 
 to elect for one's self a definite course in life and 
 follow it unswervingly — according to one's highest 
 light, ability, apprehension of the Divine Will and 
 the abnegation of self, the carnal mind, or material 
 personality. 
 
 The successful life is that in which the individual 
 looks upon the experiences which come as being 
 necessary for the learning of lessons prescribed by 
 the Higher Power; where the individual perceives 
 that suffering is the most salutary means of growth ; 
 and therefore counts it joy to be reckoned worthy 
 to take his stripes and share of woe, saying, "My 
 God — my life, consecrated to Thee, is wholly in thy 
 hands. Do unto me what seemeth to Thee good." 
 
 The successful life is that in which initiative plays 
 no uncertain part, but directs the steps whereby the 
 soul is inspired to look upward with steady gaze, 
 single-eyed, high-purposed, choosing rightly the 
 things of real value and appreciating them. 
 
 I am proud to know a good woman who, looking 
 for the real treasuresf, has not despised to look in a 
 lowly place for a grain of Truth, nor the humble 
 efforts of one child of God who is striving to find 
 the way to worthily give utterance to helpful 
 thoughts and express himself becomingly. 
 
THE INEVITABLE TRAIL 
 
 Everyone in passing through this human experi- 
 ence, leaves behind a trail, where his life has touched 
 those of his fellow sojourners. We are remembered, 
 missed, because of what we have been to our little 
 circle of friends — for the good we have done ; the 
 service rendered ; the use we have been to other 
 strugglers. 
 
 I aspire to leave behind a trail of gentle, helpful 
 deeds, so that when I have passed on, at least a 
 few will realize that I have been of some little value 
 to them — some inspiration to live their best, their 
 noblest for God and those who love them. 
 
 If the little remembrances it has been my privi- 
 lege to give you, can help to establish and maintain 
 a place in your memory for me, I am happy and am 
 in your debt. 
 
 EQUILIBRIUM 
 
 There is a lesson which you and I need to learn — 
 a lesson of equilibrium — that we shall not lose our 
 poise, our peace of mind, when the gift we offer in 
 pride and confidence, is lightly esteemed. We must 
 learn not to be sad or bitter when that to which 
 one has given much thought and effort to prepare, 
 and such satisfaction in offering, in love, is received 
 with scorn — is not wanted by the one we may wish 
 to honor and bless. 
 
 But we must become big enough to eliminate 
 self-pity to such an extent that we can advance our 
 products without feelings — and forget them. For 
 
78 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 the object is to produce that which will by its own 
 merit, choice and fitness, win acceptance and favor 
 at once. 
 
 Yet we must must not forget that there are many- 
 slaves in this world — slaves to grudge, jealousy — to 
 appetites, passions, vice, selfishness, greed, avarice, 
 lust and fame ; slaves to wrath, malice and covetous- 
 ness. Notwithstanding, those who do hunger for 
 love, kindness, righteousness and peace, may be 
 fed and blessed by what you and I can offer — of the 
 fruits of heart or head — or by some little act of 
 gentle courtesy — or by just avoiding depression — 
 being downed by the disappointments, crosses, 
 losses or hardships of the day; by not permitting 
 ourselves to become taciturn, morose and bitter. 
 
 Cheer up. Maybe we can give someone who hun- 
 gers even as you and I, the very thing he needs 
 and seeks, just by a bit of pleasantness, a smile, a 
 gentle pat, smoothing back his hair, or taking his 
 arm — a kind word, a look or a hand-clasp — anything 
 that carries a message of appreciation, understand- 
 ing, sympathy or approval. There is indeed, a science 
 in giving — not only of our gifts, but ourselves — our 
 influence; a science in letting our light shine, that 
 men may see Good — good-works — and glorify the 
 Father which is in heaven. 
 
 HARBOR SALUTE 
 
 The experience of most of us in life has been such 
 as makes us able to appreciate and understand, how 
 the men must have felt who, having risked all and 
 braved much, yet FAILED and could only come to 
 and view the promised land — a land flowing with 
 
HARBOR SALUTE 79 
 
 milk and honey — a land of beauty, prosperity, com- 
 fort, rest and peace. But they were not permitted 
 to possess the Prize. 
 
 In reading the Biblical record, while we sympa- 
 thize with those disappointed men, yet we can also 
 see the justice of the sentence. But in our own 
 case, oftimes we have not been able to see why we 
 have had to accept the fate that has come to us. 
 
 But it is proper to try to awaken humanity to a 
 more lively appreciation of their blessings and urge 
 those who do find a way to possess the fulfillment 
 of the desires of their hearts, to do so with the joy 
 of understanding and appreciation — gratitude — for 
 the rare privilege which it has been their good for- 
 tune to experience. 
 
 I am proud to acknowledge you as a friend and 
 will always hold in grateful remembrance, the sus- 
 tenance of mercy — the milk of human kindness, 
 which I have received at your hands. 
 
 May time deal gently with you and the Good 
 Father lead you and bless you with the fulfillment 
 of the desires of your heart, insofar as the same may 
 be to your ultimate good. I salute you, a worthy 
 friend. I pray you stand — steadfast, immovable — 
 in your attitude toward life, the will of God and 
 progress — the course you have elected to take. 
 
 May the influences and help you require, come to 
 you speedily. And however soon my acquaintance 
 — the accident of our salutations in passing on the 
 ocean of life — however soon I may be forgotten, I 
 hope the worthy words — the bits of Truth it has 
 been my privilege to speak or write to you may 
 live in your thought, to bless and comfort you at 
 the moments of trial and testing, along life's rough, 
 
80 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 rocky, wreck-bestrewn way. May your disappoint- 
 ments be as rare as rain in the desert, and your 
 hours of gratified expectation be as common as 
 shells on the seashore. 
 
 May the tender light of the full moon — the star- 
 shine of the peaceful night, never open your soul to 
 list to the sigh of the whispering zephyrs which 
 waft through the miles and the years, the sobs of 
 human hearts that yearn for the unattainable and 
 grow sick in the pain of deferred hopes and bitter 
 disappointments ; may you ever be dead to the 
 cry of the souls that have ploughed in the desert, 
 and the moan of the lonely voyager who floats on a 
 raft of wreckage in a troubled sea. 
 
 And yet I would not have you become cold and 
 hard, hidden in the lap of luxury and ease. While I 
 fain would protect you from unavailing tears and 
 sympathies, would shield you from the coarse or 
 vulgar; would spare you from being burdened or 
 concerned with woes and ills you could not miti- 
 gate, yet I would have you strong and brave, — ever 
 ready to bless and help. I would have you able to 
 recognize the calls that properly belong to you — 
 would have you answer them with divine prompt- 
 nes and sincerity as did that blessed One Avho trod 
 the shores of Galilee. Also, I would have you able 
 to reject that which is outside your borders and be- 
 yond your capacities. 
 
 richness your friendship has been to me. Haying 
 known you, I feel better acquainted with God and 
 His work. 
 
THE REWARD OF DISCRETION 81 
 
 THE REWARD OF DISCRETION 
 
 I am glad to know you — namely, a gentle-woman 
 — one who is a credit to her sex, having kept her 
 charm and grown more sw^eet as the mile-stones of 
 life have been passed. 
 
 The term gentlevv^oman, seems quite satisfactory 
 and I am pleased to reflect that you are the em- 
 bodiment of that word — that you have attained and 
 maintained womanly charms and virtue. And this 
 has come about not as a natural result of your hav- 
 ing had a sharp tongue — and irascible temper so as 
 to cause men to evade your society ! Nor is your 
 unsullied state due to unsavoriness as of a hussy — 
 whereby a lover of wholesomeness would despise 
 your proximity. Nor again, is your estate the re- 
 sult of repulsiveness personally, as of one afflicted 
 with the curse of ugliness, or of the impossible-ness 
 of ignorance, not yet the bigotry of self-conceit. 
 
 No — your present state is not due to aught of 
 this, but rather, by the sheer power of principle, 
 preference, the innate and self-approved love of 
 that which is refined, noble and beautiful — yea, the 
 very love of righteousness — the development of 
 Discretion. 
 
 With your equipment of body, mind and soul, 
 you will have friends wherever you go. I wish you 
 everything good and am glad it has been my priv- 
 ilege to salute so trim and staunch a ship as your- 
 self on the ocean of life. It is good that the salu- 
 tation has not been in the night, but in the day, 
 where I could the better see what manner of barque 
 you are. For, in these days, there be many pirates, 
 (vampires), and tramp-ships (adventuresses) afloat 
 
82 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 upon the sea of life. Indeed the insight of man- 
 kind is sorely taxed and no one is immune from 
 the deceptive practices and impositions of these. 
 Indeed, it is very difficult in the fact of present-day 
 artfulness along these lines, to really know who 
 is who among the attractive and illusive fair sex. 
 But in your case, I have seen and known you — ■ 
 come to realize that you are one representative of 
 your kind who is leal and true, genuine, and free 
 of guile. Therefore with respect and appreciation, 
 I salute you — as a Ship from the Harbor of God, 
 the Captain of which is Christ It is therefore a 
 cause for rejoicing that I have been privileged to 
 meet and know you — to have had the benediction 
 of a little association with you. 
 
 Permit me to remark that, should it by any mis- 
 chance, seem to you that you have missed any good 
 thing in this life, you should take comfort in this as- 
 surance that the things you have obtained have 
 been more valuable. Trials, difficulties, suffering 
 are like the refiner's fire, removing the dross and 
 purifying the gold. 
 
 Well, then, whatever your life has been — 
 smooth or rough, — characterized by abundance or 
 scarcity — we find you as you are, whereby you may 
 say with Paul, "I thank God that I am that I am." 
 For, Selah — you are individual, wholesome, blessed. 
 To me it seems that this must be the harvest of 
 habitually choosing wisely — the reward of Discre- 
 tion — of sticking to principle and the Better Way. 
 
A TRUE WOMAN 
 
 Of any true woman it may be said that the extent 
 of her influence can hardly be measured. She can- 
 not know what a blessing it has been to the needy 
 world that SHE has been. Nor is it probable that 
 she has any idea how much good she can yet do for 
 humanity by simply continuing to be herself; by 
 remaining in the midst of those among whom her 
 lot may be cast. 
 
 As for you personally I have something to say : 
 namely that you have evolved a womanhood, a 
 sweetness, a presence — a soul and its garment — 
 that makes your nearness a benediction to many 
 who are privileged to meet you. I have observed 
 that both sexes, all ages of people offer the same 
 testimony. Your presence convinces not only of 
 your own chaste, well-ordered life, but also en- 
 courages the larger thought that virtue, true wom- 
 anhood, are not dead with the dead past, but live, 
 even in our day. And proceeding, our thought 
 rises higher and we know by your sweet presence 
 that the Main-stay still supports his universe — 
 that God is! We are happily reminded thereby 
 of His existence as guaranteed by the fact that vir- 
 tue is — goodness is — evidenced by womankind. 
 
 Wherefore I am happy to know you and to have 
 this opportunity of testifying that I feel you have 
 bestowed a blessing upon many whom you have 
 never met, because those who have beheld you 
 have felt that you are indeed, just what you appear 
 to be — that you are the genuine article — and there- 
 fore proof of the reasonableness of faith in humanity. 
 
 In being yourself, you are exhibiting a bit of the 
 handiwork of the Divine Father-Mother. You are 
 
84 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 calling attention to the fact that purity, refinement, 
 decency, self-respect, love, kindness, mercy and un- 
 selfishness can really be attained even in this day 
 and age, by the soul who is made of the right mettle 
 and dares attempt purging herself of the dross of 
 carnality and frivilousness. 
 
 The writer hereof is glad to have met you and 
 would commend your constancy — your fidelity to 
 your own high ideals. Likewise your genial spirit 
 which beams a blessing on all around without undue 
 familiarity. Furthermore, that your many woman- 
 ly attributes make you a "dulce Companera" as our 
 Spanish friends say — a sweet companion. 
 
 AS FROM MAN TO MAN 
 
 I am glad to have this opportunity of telling you 
 what I think of you and only hope you can endure 
 the shock. There are people in the world, who if 
 they had as much brains as they have temper, 
 would be great folks. But this does not include 
 you and that's one thing I sort of like you for — you 
 don't fly off the handle too easy ; and when you do 
 get mad, you are still amenable to reason and fair 
 treatment. 
 
 Come to think of it, don't know as you are such 
 a bad sort of cuss after all. In fact, I don't know 
 but w^hat if more fellows were made after your 
 pattern, this would be a better world and more 
 comfortable to live in. 
 
 Don't know as anyone would ever vamp you for 
 your good looks any more than they would for the 
 limitless wealth that you haven't got — but even at 
 
AS FROM MAN TO MAN 85 
 
 that you look plenty good to me. Those streaks of 
 gray in your hair are rather becoming in a way, 
 and the crow's-feet about your eyes seem to match 
 their merry twinkle. Your familiar face kinda 
 beams so that a fellow feels a good sensation of 
 bein' to home when he's around you, and that havin' 
 a friend is pretty nice. You grin pretty easy too— 
 and some way, I have a notion that any homely old 
 mug looks good with a smile on it — not castin' any 
 reflections on your map 
 
 Looks don't amount to much anyway. But char- 
 acter counts a heap. I sure do appreciate your 
 spirit of usefulness, whereby you are always trying 
 to find something practical and good to do to help 
 a guy along. You've always been, "Johnny on the 
 Spot," when I have been in a pinch and needing 
 help pronto. And you are a knowin' sort of a gink 
 and seem to get ideas right off the reel. And I like 
 the way you keep it up — make out to be reliable as 
 well as capable— and don't get tired bein' that same 
 easy-goin' cuss that you are. 
 
 I like you because you are a man's man — with a 
 fair share of human faults and frailties so as not to 
 be so perfect as to make the rest of us feel uncom- 
 fortable. And then I've found you trustworthy so 
 that I could tell you the worst I know of myself 
 and not lose you nor any part of the warmth of 
 fellowship that has so long existed between us. It's 
 sure been a blessing too. 
 
 Another thing I like you is that you're hearty 
 and outspoken, strong and positive, yet big enough 
 to allow a pal to differ with you in some conclu- 
 sions and you not get disgusted with him on that 
 account. I have found you to be honest and sm- 
 
86 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 cere — also a harmonious sort of a cuss — inclined 
 to be agreeable ; ready to be serious when occasion 
 requires, and at other times, ready to make or take 
 a joke. 
 
 I like you because you are square and have tried 
 to do your part in life as a man should. I don't 
 like fellows who dodge their apparent duty. I like 
 the way you have braced up to your life's problems 
 and not grumbled nor whined when the way you 
 had to travel was rough and steep and the burdens 
 you had to bear were numerous and heavy till they 
 made you sweat. 
 
 In short, I'll say that if more people were as fine 
 folks as you, heaven would not have much better 
 to offer so far as society goes and the world so much 
 better a place in which to live that everybody would 
 know the millineum was ushered in. 
 
 Darn you — I like you just on general principles 
 but mostly, bless your warm heart, I'm bound to 
 say, I love you because you haven't any better 
 sense than to love me. I know that doggone well. 
 Wherefore, all said and done, I'm plumb proud to 
 have you for a friend and here's a hand on it! 
 
 ^ 
 
THE DEGREE CONFERRED 
 
 The goal of the college student is a Degree — as 
 Bachelor of Arts, Doctor of Literature, Doctor of 
 Medicine, Doctor of Law or what-not. But the 
 supreme goal of the student in the University of 
 Life — the College of Character-building — is the 
 commendation of President and Faculty — the Di- 
 vine *'Us" who said in the beginning, ''Come, let us 
 make man in our image and likeness." 
 
 We are in the world, though should not be of the 
 world, worldly — given to fevellings and self-grati- 
 fication. And it is good for us to know we are al- 
 Icwed the wholesome association and communion 
 with our fellows, the household of faith or even 
 the little flock. And so the earnest student is glad 
 for the approval also of his associates, the Student 
 Body — his class-mates — and companion-pilgrims 
 along Ife's pathway. 
 
 For happiness is the rightful heritage of every 
 erdeavorer; every student in the University of 
 Knowledge of God — students of Divine Science — 
 the Truth of the Universe and of the sublime 
 Architect. Yet, the veil of mortal thought is often 
 permitted to prevent the freshman from claiming 
 his own, hiding from him by its mist, the better 
 portion. 
 
 In the process of finding the way to possess one's 
 self of sufficient good to make life really worth 
 the living, TODAY, it is usually found that these 
 same companions, boosters, fellow-pilgrims, play 
 no small part — particularly those elect whom we 
 find most congenial and helpful and whom we call 
 friends. 
 
88 FRIENDSHIP 
 
 In your own particular case, may I be permitted 
 to say that you have been valuable to me. You 
 are as one of the jewels on the tapestry of the Altar 
 of Life. You are to me that which might be lik- 
 ened to a quiet inland nook near the Great Sea of 
 Infinity ; or as a Friendly Ship in mid-ocean which 
 offers refuge to a wing-weary dove ; or as a Pleas- 
 ant Valley hedged by sheltering mountains — a 
 Place where no rough winds may blow nor rude 
 storms mar the peace thereof; where no boisterous 
 gales nor devouring fires can disturb the sweet 
 calm and satisfaction of that heaven-given retreat, 
 w'here one may go and rest and replenish needful 
 things that have been spent thus far on the jour- 
 ney. 
 
 We are all travelling somewhat different direc- 
 tions — or, as it were, to the same goal by different 
 routes. Our work is different — our needs are dif- 
 ferent; our stages of development are different; we 
 are growing at different rates of speed. Therefore 
 it is not strange that we cannot find many with 
 whom we rhyme, match in rhythm and harmonize. 
 
 You have been valuable to me because you have 
 made me feel that you were one person who really 
 appreciated my society — really liked to be where I 
 was — a person who approved of my aspirations, my 
 work, my thoughts ; one who was sincerely inter- 
 ested in me and my various phases of endeavor ; 
 one who fully appreciated that degree of good to 
 which it has been my lot thus far to attain, that 
 degree of good of which I have up to this time, be- 
 come conscious. 
 
 Thinking of your unselfish love, graces of char- 
 acter, sound mind, gentleness, honesty, wealth of 
 
THE DEGREE CONFERRED 89 
 
 humanity, godly aspirations, I am proud to salute 
 you and call you by the royal title hereby bestowed, 
 *Triend." Wherefore I ask you to accept this 
 written evidence of the manner in which I hold 
 you in my thought, and hereafter reckon this humble 
 document as tangible evidence of your possession 
 hereof. 
 
 God does not learn virtue, mercy and justice, 
 from man, but man from God. Hence, since you 
 have been examined and tested by the Student 
 Body which I have the honor to represent and 
 given high rating, surely you are safe with Him. 
 And Oh, the harmony, the music — the peace and 
 bliss that shall be as we gather with those we love 
 — kindred spirits at home in their Father's man- 
 sions; in tune with each other and the Infinite — 
 when we all mutually understand; when the Truth 
 is clear and sin and suffering, stumbling, perplexity, 
 weakness and loneliness are no more! 
 
 In view of the commendation of the Student 
 Body I dare offer to you these presents, and confer 
 upon you the Degree of '"Friend of God and Man" 
 — and — mine! 
 
 FINIS 
 
iiiinSi