Reader, seek then this knowledge; this is superior to all other. This impresses the heart, engages the affections, ornaments the character, regulates the passions, enlarges the mind, conquers the world, supports in death, and leads to heaven. This is "the one thing needful, the good part, which cannot be taken from us."*

FRIENDSHIP.

How ready are we to conclude ourselves happy in the enjoyment of friendship. And who will say this is not a blessing? Is it not pleasant to indulge in kind and mutual intercourse; to find one into whose bosom we can pour all our cares; to whom we can communicate all joys and sorrows, and who is ready to sympathise with us under all the vicissitudes of life! This certainly is no inferior privilege. But, after all, what is it? Does it always afford relief to us? Can

Luke x. 42.

our friends always meet the exigency of our case; remove our difficulties, assuage our grief, preserve us from danger? Are there not moments when the exertions of humanity are useless, and nothing but a divine hand can give relief? Have we not also too many instances of the fickleness of human nature, and the uncertainty of friendship? Did Abraham feel nothing in the departure of Lot, who had been his companion, and came with him up out of Egypt? Did not David mourn over the treachery of Ahithophel? "It was not (says he) an enemy that reproached me, then I could have borne it; neither was it he that hated me, that did magnify himself against me, then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man, mine equal, my guide, my acquaintance: we took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Yea (he says) mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me."+ Must it not have been, also, a sore trial to him, that Joab, after all the battles he fought, should

* Psa. lv. 12, 13, 14.

+ Ibid. xli. 9,

be guilty of treachery. While Ahab lived, he was honoured as a king, and many seemed happy in having an opportunity of shewing their love to him by being permitted to keep one of his children. But no sooner was Ahab overthrown, and Jehu proclaimed king, than they adored this rising sun; and, at his command, instead of guardians, became butchers to their master's children, and sent their heads to Jehu as a present.*

Job's-three friends professed indeed that they were come to comfort him; but did they not add to his grief by charging him with hypocrisy ? so that he was obligated to say, "miserable comforters are ye all, and physicians of no value!"+ Paul had to complain, that though, at one time, his friends were so much attached as to be ready almost to lay down their lives for him; yet, when their presence would have most cheered him, he says, "no man stood by me; but all forsook me!" When he was first brought to the knowledge of the truth, and made his escape to Jerusalem, the disciples

* 2 Kings x.

† Rom. xvi. 4.

+ Job xvi. 2. Ibid. xii. 4. Acts xxviii, 15. 2 Tim. iv. 16.

*

were afraid of him; not believing him to be a disciple: but it is said, that Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles; then, after commending him to them, he became his companion, both in his labours and persecutions : yet, afterwards, a dispute arose between these two eminent men, relative to the selection of Mark; and the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder, one from the other. Such examples as these should teach us the mutability of human friendship; and that, valuable as it is, too great confidence must not be placed on it. While it may be cherished and indulged, yet it must be in subordination to a superior good. The creature must not be a substitute for the Creator; "He will not give his glory to another;" and it is his command, "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils, for wherein is he to be accounted of?"+ Indeed, it has been no uncommon thing, that they who have shewn the greatest friendship for a while, have, from some circumstance or other, suddenly changed, and

* Acts xv. 36. + Isa. xlii. 8.

Ibid. ii. 22.

disappointed the hopes of those who confided in them. Their conduct has proved so strange, their behaviour so distant, that it has been pronounced unaccountable. Let it be remembered too, that they who thus violate friendship are capable of doing us more harm than others! They have seen our weakness; they know our views and dispositions; we lie at their mercy. It is easy too for them to magnify, when they have a cause to serve, or a base purpose to answer. But suppose friendship be real; it must be interrupted at last. Death, the conqueror of all, will tear our friends from us, or us from them. O how many have been snatched away in the very moment when basking in the rays of friendship. How many have gone to the grave weeping over the last remains of their departed friends! Ah, how melancholy the remembrance of those hours which have passed away in delightful converse! How painful to view the spot; to visit the dwelling; to tread the path where formerly we enjoyed the pleasures of sincere friendship! "How has the tribute we owed to their memory been paid downin tears!" But they are gone the way whence