Friendship

A. LINCOLN ROTHBLUM

There is possibly nothing finer in our human relations than true and loyal friendships. Oftentimes they are established in childhood and while we are attending school, ripening and broadening into enduring and beautiful associations. Later years, too, may bring added opportunities to express genuine friendliness to many others.

It may be helpful here to note that the word "friend" comes from an Anglo-Saxon root meaning "to love"; and a dictionary defines a friend as "one who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem, respect, and affection that he seeks his society and welfare." Thus, it will be observed, permanent friendships involve mutual obligations. If we would be just to ourselves and others, these mutual obligations should be considered in the light of Christian Science.

The Bible contains wondrous examples of lofty friendships which are in spiritual accord with the above-quoted definition. Notable is the friendship of Ruth and Naomi. By returning with her mother-in-law to Bethlehem, voicing that memorable declaration of fidelity, "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God," Ruth proved her steadfastness as a friend; and "friend" is the root meaning of that name in the original Hebrew. Jonathan and David will ever be remembered as loyal friends, it being written of them in the first book of Samuel that "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David."

Jesus, the supreme Friend of mankind, must have placed high value upon the friendship of Lazarus of Bethany, and that of his two sisters, Mary and Martha, as it is recorded that he referred to Lazarus as "our friend." In true friendliness the Master permitted the disciple whom he loved, John, to lean on his breast, and at the crucifixion granted him the privileged opportunity to care for his mother.

Since friendship constitutes so important a part in our human experience, it is necessary that discretion and wisdom be exercised in the formation of such associations during our educational years. Here the practical value of what we are learning in Christian Science may be utilized by detecting any tendencies which would operate to retard our spiritual growth. Loving Christian Scientists need to be discerning in their friendships, for fine outward appearances and manners are not necessarily indicative of nobility of character.

The query may be raised, How can one discern between the right and the wrong association, when there may be no clear indication of the absence of that which is right? The answer may be found in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. A pertinent passage occurs on page 449, lines 19–28, which merits frequent study. Of especial significance to this subject is the sentence in that reference reading, "The first impression, made on a mind which is attracted or repelled according to personal merit or demerit, is a good detective of individual character."

Such spiritual intuition or perception, termed in the Bible the "still small voice," is an angelic message from divine Love, bidding us set aside personal sense testimony and cultivate in its stead that alone which permanently satisfies the affections and contributes to our progress. The ability to exercise spiritual discernment should be consciously cultivated even in childhood, and the extent of such ability is proportionable to our spirituality, as our Leader indicates in Science and Health 94:24–18.

If through circumstances, or in school or college, we find ourselves drawn into associations which are not in accord with our understanding of good, we can at once turn from them and start anew without a backward glance. No anguish of the heart need accompany this step in the direction of God, good, nor need any painful sense of aloneness harass the thought; for divine Love fills all space with His right ideas. As we obediently loose ourselves from aught that is a departure from divine Principle, we shall find the seeming void filled to overflowing by that which is spiritually right and genuinely satisfying. Mutually uplifting expressions of friendship will then be made manifest in our lives.

As a Christian Scientist, one need never fear the consequences of taking a stand on the side of God. Such a position may incite envy or ridicule, but in the long run it will command respect. God's allness, His presence equally everywhere, is the protecting panoply of each one who reflects good. As we seek the good of our fellow man, we find we are establishing friendships which contribute to mutual growth and happiness.

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