-
Articles/Ads
Article ON FRIENDSHIP. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Friendship.
ON FRIENDSHIP .
AIMCITIA SCAM NOMEN EST . AMIDST allthe vicissitudes of life , FRIENDSHIP is a healing balm , the harbinger of peace , the messenger of joy . Societyone end of our existenceis promoted by this communicative
, , blessing . Here hostilities cease , and the dove alone presides . Animosities vanish , unanimity reigns . Where this angelic virtue is wanting , what are all our joys ? What constitutes our social happiness and our civil peace , but Friendship ? What ties will subject where this princip le is not our guide ? What can more powerfully constrain and restrain , than the bonds of Friendship ? All the powers of
argument or reason will nought avail without this principle , either to restrain from injuring , or excite to benefit . Where this beatific virtue reigns o ' er the mental shore , the lion may lie down with the lamb securely . Contention is no longer heard ; divisions are healed , and union established . Though various are the ways in which this princile manifests itselfyet all centre in regard to the object ,
p , and an exact uniformity in procedure . What renders it far above all description is , that it is a secret motive , produced by a secret cause , and actuated by secret regard , known only by the parties . Numerous are the passions of the human breast , and as variously drawn forth as different in their nature . This is an inward conception of the heart , in which the will and affections are consulted , and which
increases with our years . Friendship ( that which is real ) is an ingrafted principle that takes deep root in the heart , and branches forth in the actions ; which , although often by adverse Providence the boughs are lopped off , yet the root remains , which is still a living principle , daily springing up into action . Thus , althoug'h the scorching heat of persecution seems to exhaust its virtues , yet the gentle dew of reflection restores and invigorates the subject .
Where the will is not brought into complete and full acquiescence in the cause , the work is drudgery , and is no more than slavish fear , which leads rne to observe , that the ties of nature or consanguinity do not create this principle , as then it would be the necessary consequence of affinity . On the contrary , as it is produced by a cause which appears deserving of it , it is never placed without this
seeming appearance , however the issue may prove it groundless . Thus , in proportion as the goodness of the cause increases orlessens , so the Friendship flourishes or declines . Having shown the source and spring of action , I now proceed to consider its effects : —the principle being noble , it is natural to suppose the effects are the same . It isfrst proper to observe , that disinterested motives' are a necessary evidence of real Friendship , which lead the participant not
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Friendship.
ON FRIENDSHIP .
AIMCITIA SCAM NOMEN EST . AMIDST allthe vicissitudes of life , FRIENDSHIP is a healing balm , the harbinger of peace , the messenger of joy . Societyone end of our existenceis promoted by this communicative
, , blessing . Here hostilities cease , and the dove alone presides . Animosities vanish , unanimity reigns . Where this angelic virtue is wanting , what are all our joys ? What constitutes our social happiness and our civil peace , but Friendship ? What ties will subject where this princip le is not our guide ? What can more powerfully constrain and restrain , than the bonds of Friendship ? All the powers of
argument or reason will nought avail without this principle , either to restrain from injuring , or excite to benefit . Where this beatific virtue reigns o ' er the mental shore , the lion may lie down with the lamb securely . Contention is no longer heard ; divisions are healed , and union established . Though various are the ways in which this princile manifests itselfyet all centre in regard to the object ,
p , and an exact uniformity in procedure . What renders it far above all description is , that it is a secret motive , produced by a secret cause , and actuated by secret regard , known only by the parties . Numerous are the passions of the human breast , and as variously drawn forth as different in their nature . This is an inward conception of the heart , in which the will and affections are consulted , and which
increases with our years . Friendship ( that which is real ) is an ingrafted principle that takes deep root in the heart , and branches forth in the actions ; which , although often by adverse Providence the boughs are lopped off , yet the root remains , which is still a living principle , daily springing up into action . Thus , althoug'h the scorching heat of persecution seems to exhaust its virtues , yet the gentle dew of reflection restores and invigorates the subject .
Where the will is not brought into complete and full acquiescence in the cause , the work is drudgery , and is no more than slavish fear , which leads rne to observe , that the ties of nature or consanguinity do not create this principle , as then it would be the necessary consequence of affinity . On the contrary , as it is produced by a cause which appears deserving of it , it is never placed without this
seeming appearance , however the issue may prove it groundless . Thus , in proportion as the goodness of the cause increases orlessens , so the Friendship flourishes or declines . Having shown the source and spring of action , I now proceed to consider its effects : —the principle being noble , it is natural to suppose the effects are the same . It isfrst proper to observe , that disinterested motives' are a necessary evidence of real Friendship , which lead the participant not