The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

On Friendship.

"From friendship Angels gather half their joy."

Such is the admirable Construction of the human Mind, that it can never find sublime Pleasures, but in the Paths of Wisdom and Virtue--in the pursuit of Goodness, and in a disinterested unbounded Affection to all Mankind.--Love is the primary and most noble Passion in the human Breast, and when exercised upon proper Objects, it enlarges, refines and exalts the Mind, at once leads it on to Greatness, Goodness, and Happiness.---As Man was made for Society, his social Connexions are the principal Springs of his Happiness, and the grand Cordials to alleviate the Pains and increase the Pleasures of Life-- Consequently the more Connections of Friendship, and the higher the Affection, in Proportion will be his Happiness.--Hence we see the Wisdom of those who esteem virtuous Friendship their richest Treasure, and cultivate it as the most heavenly Flower that grows in the Field of human Nature.-- 'Tis this that gives a Flavour to every Cup of Joy, gilds every Scene, "gives Beauty to the Sun and Pleasure to the Day " ---makes Life taste sweet to the last Drop .--He who discovers no Desire to obtain the Esteem of Mankind, to form friendly Connexions, and to purchase Love, (unless it be with a View to Gain) shews a Torpidity of Mind incapable of tasting the true Sweets of Life ; and is at once an Object of Pity and Detestation.---To such a Mind Life is like a barren Desert, where there is nothing to chear the weary Traveller, his only Support is faint Hope, and this is quenched by chilling Fear, and soon expires.--Alas! to the generous Mind formed for the Delights of Friendship, Life is like a fruitful ever blooming Garden, whose Beauties, Fruits and Odours feast the Traveller through all the flowery Way.--The Sympathy of Friends admirably alleviates the Burdens and Calamities incident to human Life, lights up, animates and supports the Mind, dispels the Gloom, "and pours in the chearing Beams--" and even converts Pain into Pleasure, as it gives an Opportunity for the Exercise of this heavenly Passion. -Friendship has innumerable Charms and Graces, and is the Fountain from whence flow the purest Springs of Pleasure and most sublime Joys that gild human Days---while the Infelicities of Life die away beneath its golden Rays, it doubles every Joy, and makes each blissful Scene far more sublime.

By the mutual Interchange of kind Offices, frequent Acts of Condescension, Generosity and Beneficence, the Mind grows up into a Habit of Goodness and universal Benevolence, which is a Source of the purest most unalloyed Delight and angelic Pleasure beneath where Angels dwell ! A Mind thus refined and ennobled, travels through Time like a Native of the Skies, rising on the Wings of Pleasure and Fame, until it steps into Immortality.