Proverbs 18:24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. The carriage of equals to one another should be friendly and equal on both sides. Almost every relation gives love and benevolence a new cast and form, and calls for a new set of officers, new either for kind, measure, or manner. I. DUTIES TO THOSE WHO ARE NEIGHBOURS IN SITUATION TO ONE ANOTHER. So far as consists with the care of our own spiritual preservation and with all our engagements elsewhere, the sum of what we owe to our neighbours is to be as kind, useful, and beneficent among them as possible, strictly avoiding what may be to the hurt of any. To be courteous on all occasions of converse, and to be ready to do and return those good offices which tend to mutual protection and accommodation. We should strive to promote virtue and goodness in the places of our respective residence. II. THE DUTIES OF FRIENDSHIP. Friendship arises from a voluntary agreement or choice of persons, in other respects independent, to cultivate a familiar correspondence together. Contracting alliances is not properly a moral obligation, but rather a matter of private convenience and pleasure. Let the first rule be, to be agreed on the terms, and neither to raise nor take up expectations beyond the just intention and import of them. The second is for a person to use his utmost endeavours to answer the confidence he has suffered another to repose in him. Fidelity must be strictly maintained. A third duty is to observe a decency and respectfulness in our own language and behaviour to them, together with a candid interpretation of their words and actions. A fourth rule is that all flattery must be banished from friendship. III. THE DUTIES OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS. This relation is formed by nature itself. Nature, reason, and Scripture dictate that there should be a peculiar affection, with very kind effects of it, passing between those that are thus related together. Brethren should be specially careful to cultivate peace among themselves. IV. THE DUTIES OF THE CONJUGAL RELATION. A relation which comprehends all the sweets and endearments of the strictest friendship. The duties are — 1. Love to each other's persons. 2. A strict care about maintaining peace. 3. The inviolable preservation of conjugal fidelity; a bond of equal obligation on the husband and on the wife. 4. Constant effort to promote each other's interest as one common interest. The husband's authority should be full of tenderness, condescension, and forbearance. (J. Hubbard.) Parallel Verses KJV: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.WEB: A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
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