nd gives
tone and quality to the diligent services of months and years? It is his
friend. Who is it, when one ends his life in the midst of an unfinished
book, or with loose ends of continued research in philosophy or science
all about him; who is it that gathers up these loose ends and puts in
order the unfinished work? It is his friend. Who is it that stands by
the open tomb of that fallen saint or hero and relates to the world his
deeds of sacrifice and courage which spurn others on to nobler living
and thereby perpetuates his goodness and valor? Who does this, if it is
done? It is his friend. A friend thus becomes not only a completion of
one's soul as he is by virtue of being a friend, but also he becomes
a completion of one's life. Then, one's relation to his fellowmen is
a limited relationship. He may speak, but upon certain subjects, on
certain occasions, and to certain persons. As Francis Bacon says, "A man
can not speak to his son but as a father; to his wife but as a husband;
to his enemy but upon terms; whereas a friend may speak as the case
requires, and not as it sorteth with the person....I have given the
rule," says he, "where a man can not fitly play his own part, if he have
not a friend, he may quit the stage."

HOW TO GET AND KEEP A FRIEND.

A real friend is discovered, or made. First, discovered. Two persons
notice an attraction for one another. They see that their desires are
similar, they have the same sentiments, they agree in tastes. A feeling
of attachment becomes conscious with each of them, slight association
fosters this feeling, it increases. New associations but reveal a
broader agreement, a closer union, a perfecter harmony. The signs of
friendship appear. Heart and mind of each respond to the other, they are
friends. This is the noblest friendship. It has its origin in nature.
It is, as H. Clay Trumbull says: "Love without compact or condition;
it never pivots on an equivalent return of service or of affection. Its
whole sweep is away from self and toward the loved one. Its desire is
for the friend's welfare; its joy is in the friend's prosperity; its
sorrows and trials are in the friend's misfortunes and griefs; its pride
is in the friend's attainments and successes; its constant purpose is in
doing and enduring for the friend."

Then, friends are made. Two persons do not especially attract one
another. But, through growth of character, modification of nature, or
change in desires,