most short-sighted in this regard, and most
hurtful to those we fervently desire to aid. We should never indulge
or encourage weakness in others when we can in any way stimulate it
into strength. We should never do anything for another which we can
inspire him to do for himself. Much parental affection errs at this
point. Life is made too easy for children. They are sheltered when it
were better if they faced the storm. They are saved from toil and
exertion, when toil and exertion are God's ordained means of grace for
them, of which the parents rob them in their over-tenderness. There
are children who are wronged by the cruelty and inhumanity of parents,
and whose cries to heaven make the throne of the Eternal rock and sway;
but there are children, also, who are wronged of much that is noblest
and best in their inheritance by the over-kindness of parents.

In every warm friendship, too, there is strong temptation to make the
same mistake. We have to be ever on our guard against over-helping.
Our aim should always be to inspire in our friend new energy, to
develop in him the noblest strength, to bring out his best manhood.
Over-helping defeats these offices of friendship.

There is one particular point at which a special word of caution may
well be spoken. We need to guard our sympathies when we would comfort
and help those who are suffering or are in trouble of any kind. It may
seem a severe thing to say, but illness is ofttimes made worse by the
pity of friends. There is in weak natures a tendency to indulge
sickness, to exaggerate its symptoms, to imagine that it is more
serious than it really is, and easily to succumb to its influence. You
find your friend indisposed, and you are profuse in your expressions of
sympathy, encouraging or suggesting fears, urging prompt medical help.
You think you have shown kindness, but very likely you have done sore
injury. You have left a depressing influence behind you. Your friend
is disheartened and alarmed. You have left him weaker, not stronger.

It may seem hard-hearted to appear to be unsympathetic with invalids,
and those who are slightly or even seriously sick; not to take interest
in their complaints; not to say commiserating things to them; but
really it is the part of true friendship to help sick people fight the
battle with their ills. We ought, therefore, to guard against speaking
any word which will discourage them, increase their fear, exaggerate
the