| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 6 |
Page 6 |
This lesson has its bearing also upon friendship. When a man takes a new friend into his life, he has received a new deposit from Christ. A good thing has been committed unto him, and he is bidden to guard it. Many people believe in guardian angels – that one of these heavenly ministers is appointed to attend each life from infancy to the grave. The thought is very beautiful, and there is no reason to doubt that such guardianship is assigned to each soul in its passage through this world of danger. But there are also human angels set to guard our steps on the earth. When a new friend comes into our life, with confidence, we are ordained to a guardianship which is very sacred.
Perhaps we are not apt to think of the responsibility of being a friend. We find pleasure in friendship; and we are apt to welcome eagerly those who come to us with trust and regard, not thinking what we owe to them, or must do for them, if we accept their confidence. We find cheer, inspiration, stimulation, and help in congenial companionship. Our friends meet our needs, satisfy our cravings, do us good; and we do not think always of the other side – what we are to them. The essential thing is not to have friends, but to be a friend; not to receive, but to give; not what we get, but what we give.
Page 6