tself." [1]
In His life we see the blessings of companionship in good. "He loved
Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." He had intimate friends in His
group of disciples. Peter and James and John stood to Him in this
relation. They were taken by Him into scenes which the rest of the
disciples did not behold. They knew a friendship with Him unenjoyed by
the others. And of that inner circle there was one to whom the soul of
Jesus clung with peculiar tenderness--the beloved disciple. Human
friendship has been consecrated for us all by this example of Christ.
He offers himself to every one of us as a _friend_: "Ye are my friends
if ye do whatsoever I command you."

There are two things which specially show the importance of friendship:

(_a_) It is regarded by others _as a test of our character_. The worth
of a man will always be rated by his companions. The proverbs of all
nations show this. "A man is known by the company he keeps." "Like
draws to like." "Birds of a feather flock together." If our
companions are worthless, the verdict of society regarding us will be
that we are worthless ourselves. This verdict may not in all cases be
true, but the probability is that it will be true. If we are admitted
to the friendship of men of honor, integrity and principle, people will
come to believe in us. We would not, they will feel, be admitted into
that society unless we were in sympathy with those who compose it. If
we wish, therefore, that a good opinion should be formed regarding us
by others, we need to be especially careful as to those with whom we
associate closely and whom we admit to intimate friendship.

(_b_) Friends have a special power in _moulding our character_. George
Herbert's saying is true, "Keep good company, and you shall be of their
number." It is difficult, on the other hand, to be much with the silly
and foolish without being silly and foolish also. It is the common
explanation of a young man's ruin that he got among bad companions. We
may go into a certain society confident that we will hold our own, and
that we can come out of it as we go in; but, as a general rule, we will
find ourselves mistaken. The man of the strongest individuality comes
sooner or later to be affected by those with whom he is intimate.
There is a subtle influence from them telling upon him that he cannot
resist. He will inevitably be moulded by it. Here also the proverbs
of the world point the lesson. "He w