by Buford B. Lich, 32°
Once an associate of Abraham Lincoln took him to task for his attitude toward his enemies saying, “Why do you try to make friends of them? You should try to destroy them.” Lincoln replied gently, “Am I not destroying my enemies when I make them my friends?”
As Freemasonry demonstrates, the best of all life’s treasures is friendship. Our friends, if many and true, can add more to our happiness than all the riches in the world. Friendship comforts and has a balm for a thousand ills. It dispels the dark clouds of despair while transforming all the relationships of life. No relationship is complete until it has grown into friendship. Friendship is tested by adversity, but true friendships are strengthened by a struggle.
A broad nature is capable of many friendships. One friend appeals to you for one reason, another for some other reason. Friendship is the heart’s library. The wise friend is your book of philosophy. The courageous friend is your book of heroism. The industrious friend is your book of achievement. The merry friend is your book of humor. As no book crowds another on your bookshelves, so no friend crowds another in the library of your heart.
There is no such thing as a one-sided friendship. If you profess to be a friend, then be to your friend what you want him to be to you. Devotion to the cause of fellowship is the truth which makes love possible and mankind happy.
Buford B. Lich – Valley of Louisville, Kentucky, retired as a sales manager for General Electric Supply Company after 28 years of service. A member of Harry R. Kendall Lodge #750 in Louisville, Bro. Lich has served as a Sunday School teacher and the Chaplain of a senior citizens group. We regret to report that Brother Lich died on May 17, 2004.
