THE REAL FRIEND MUST BE A CHRISTIAN. бог

You cannot see all in a single interview, and an acquaintance whom you thought at first objectionable, may, in the end, prove a most kind and valuable friend.

There is good in more than we think,-of this we may be assured; and, apart from religious duty, you must see the advantage of a courteous and genial disposition in the feeling it immediately begets in others towards yourself.

None are so poor but that they may some day have it in their power to do you a service, and the very habit of receiving and returning a kindly and cheerful greeting is a pleasure in itself.

The habit of politeness, in the usual salutations on meeting an acquaintance, should therefore be attended to, though it does not compel, in any way, further advances, if you have no desire to pursue the acquaintance; for in all that has been said it must be understood that there are limits beyond which neither politeness nor the dictates of religion require you to go. However pleasing a Companion may be in other respects-however real may be his attachment to yourself—yet if you observe in him a total want of Moral feeling, an absence of that which makes a True and Noble Character, an entire want of all Piety and Religious principle, and the doubtful morality in his conversation and practice which generally attends such want, you should resolve to go no further than an acquaintance. He can never form a true and real friendship with you; he has not in his Character the elements of a firm and lasting friendship; there will ever be at the bottom a want of heart and feeling-the want which nothing but God's grace can supply!

A REAL FRIEND MUST BE A CHRISTIAN.

Do you ask, "Whom, then, shall I choose as a friend? cannot but feel kindly sympathy towards one who cares for me, although he may not be everything I could wish; neither can I compel the liking of one who, though a better and nobler character, appears to care nothing about me. In reply, are you sure that having many friends is, after all, so very needful? I would not have you hastily repulse the affection of any; but I would still say that if you want a real friend, you must choose the Youth who appears actuated by pious, and reverent, and loving feelings towards his God. Let what will be his defects, he possesses, after all, the one thing needful for a true friendship. By constant intercourse with such a one, aided by a little attention and

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USING YOUR INFLUENCE.

pains on your part, he will, as he becomes intimate with you, repay richly the trouble you have taken. He will impart to you what probably he would confide to no one else, for there is naturally a truthfulness between the young, which is seldom, if ever, broken or violated,-the youthful, warm, and beautiful thoughts and ideas of a pious mind. He will confirm in you all that is good and right, and be infinitely helpful to you; and he, in turn, if you are inferior in some acquirements, will gain something from you. But, having once given your heart to such a youth as this, listen to nothing,-allow nothing,-to create a coldness or separation between you, or to throw anything but a passing cloud over your friendly feeling; go to him at once, and ask kindly for an explanation of any conduct or speech, which may have hurt you, expressing your sorrow if the first fault proves to be on your side. Instead of attempting to vindicate your unimpeachable correctness, &c., in conduct, let him clearly see that the thought of losing his friendship is, at the bottom, your deepest concern.

A kindly glance, an affectionate word, or regret expressed for any thoughtless word, will be sufficient; and you will both smile, an hour after, at the thought of allowing a moment's coldness to destroy the kindly feeling you have entertained for each other so long.

Never allow pride or apathy to weaken your attachment. Without neglecting your other acquaintances let him be ever able to depend upon you, and feel that his society has the first place in your liking.

Share your best things with your friend, and he, in turn, will be unable to enjoy thoroughly a pleasure unless you are with him; and in sorrow or punishment, if possible, lighten it to him by your thoughtful kindness.

It is a delightful picture such a friendship as this; but it is not an ideal one, it rests very much with yourself; only do your part.

With friends of tried and worthy characters, you are never dependent upon doubtful, and chance acquaintances, with whom to share your favourite amusements.

I have spoken of your influence over those of your own age, in supporting what is good and right, as opposed to what is bad and wrong; speak as you feel on such points, naturally and boldly,-what have you to be afraid of? Those who are worthy of your friendship will honour you only the more, and those who are not will feel a kind of respect for you. A bold, free speech from you will have

A TRULY CHRISTIAN YOUTH.

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more effect than Volumes of Sermons from older men! If you can but avoid Self-conceit,-that bane of otherwise dear and noble characters, and retain a friendly feeling at the same time as you reprove evil in another, you are indeed doing God's work early, for the influence boys and young men have over each other is very great. Very beautifully this is exhibited in the Memoir of that lovely character, Whitmore Winslow, whose life was cut short by a bathing fatality, never very clearly explained.

"How sad one feels," writes this pious Youth, in his journal," and how unhappy when in the society of the wicked. How low and humbled do we feel when obliged to listen to unholy conversation, or to witness some act of sin. We may show by our conduct and example how painful it is to our spirits, and I have often found how powerful is the effect of a marked silence."

While a boy of fourteen, or fifteen, at Leamington College, he experienced much opposition, and probably much unkindness from the others, and how sweetly he alludes to them. "Wednesday, the 8th. How gracious has the Lord been to me to-day! His promises never fail! They have indeed been my chief support. Jesus has been better than all my fears, and has carried me through that which I most dreaded. Oh! to have simple trust in our Saviour! He will not betray your trust! He is a faithful and just God, merciful and gracious! Open all your hearts to Jesus, and He will open the fountain of His mercy and love to you!" "Sweet and precious counsel," adds the Writer of his Memoir, "flowing from the lips of youth! It may be a word in season to more advanced believers. Dear boy! He, too, had his trials; and who can doubt,-knowing how hard it is to oppose evil at a large School,-what his gentle and loving spirit may have suffered in doing so!"

Whitmore's young heart, warm, unsuspicious, and confiding, had been beguiled into friendships only to be chilled by their fickleness, and wounded by their treachery, but it only drove him the closer to the Fountain of all Love.

Has not this some end," he writes, "I think I see it! May it serve to wean me more from being dependent upon worldly friendships and pleasures, finding the centre of my happiness in leaning in repose upon His bosom who never changes nor forsakes those who put their trust in Him."

And as it will ever happen, if you are true and faithful, there came a time when Whitmore had won the kindly feeling of all. English boys may thoughtlessly give much

pain to such a one, but in their hearts they honour him,it is in our National character,-in our education. Winslow alluded to this, in his Diary :-"God makes us to taste the bitter only to prepare us for the sweet. I have experienced this sweetly, lately. At School He has remarkably stood by me. The prejudice against my Religion has worn away, and those who seemed my bitter enemies are now my best friends." How he was drowned was never very clearly explained. A Bathing fatality,-when alone,-spasm, perhaps, of the heart, or cramp.

Be sure that the experience of this Christian Youth will no less be your own.

"They that honour Me,-I will honour: but they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed."

Perhaps one of the most remarkable Escapes of an Atlantic Steamer upon record was that of the "Arizona." She struck, by Night, at full speed,-an Iceberg with a terrific crash! Most providentially it was the weakest, and extreme end of the Berg, and the huge Steamer cut right through it! Fancy, -dear Reader, the momentum of an immense Steamer,-many thousands of tons burden, -driven by Engines of Thousands of horse power,-dashing against an Iceberg, on a dark night!-The latter, frequently as high as Cliffs! They might have been shattered to pieces!

Many years ago a Monster Iceberg, or, rather Continent of Ice,-took a Week to pass Newfoundland,-a splendid Spectacle, with Towers and Pinacles! One of the "Cunards" of that day, always noted for their admirable "Lookout,"-very nearly struck this Berg! There was little doubt, at the time, that the American Company's ill-fated "Arctic,"-(never again heard of,)-struck this same Berg, which was believed to be from 50 to 100 miles long! The "City of Boston," which disappeared in the Atlantic, in 1866 (?)-probably struck a Berg, and foundered!

CHAPTER II.

THE CHARACTER OF YOUTHS. NOBLENESS. FORGIVENESS. IMMORALITY. THE OLD SYSTEM OF FLOGGING, &c.

AVING, in Chapter VII., given a few hints on the acquisition of mental power by reading and easy study, we have now to meet the difficulty you may encounter from the want of those genial qualities which never fail to make the possessor welcome in the Society of his Companions.

Whilst there may be no want-as far as intelligence and quickness of mind are concerned-to make you the welcome acquaintance of others, there may be defects in your disposition which lie very much in your own power to improve, and finally remedy. Have you not yourself noticed the qualities which secure the goodwill and kindly feeling of all? Who amongst your young companions is the favourite with most? Is it not he who is least selfish, who finds a pleasure in doing a pleasant and kind action for another, apparently as real, as if he were seeking to secure his own gratification alone? He who is too noble to retain revengeful and vindictive feelings long, and is ever willing to forgive an offence? Is it not he, who is true and loving in friendship, who, having once entertained a fondness for