October 5

A Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. — Proverbs 18:24.

OF Jesus it was said, that he was the Friend of publicans and sinners, and in the true sense of that term he was really so. Not that he had any sympathy with them in their evil practises, not that he had any fellowship with their spirits, but that he truly compassionated their state and misery, and employed all his gracious influence to save them from it. In this broad and glorious sense, he is the Friend of the whole world. For he hath loved it, and given himself a ransom for its guilt, and freely invites all its wretched inhabitants to come unto him, that they may obtain everlasting life. But he is the genuine and sincere friend of his church. Here are the objects of his complacent regards; here are his true friends, whom he acknowledges, who are of one spirit with him, and with whom, a close and happy union exists. A friend feels a benevolent and solicitous interest in our well-being. A friend, is one whose best feelings are employed for our comfort and happiness, where there is a constant prevailing of good-will, and complacency towards us. All this belongs eminently to Jesus. His love to us is immeasurable, his benevolent regards pass all human understanding; he hath displayed unspeakable interest in all that relates to our welfare, both in this world, and in that which is to come. The outgoings of his love towards us, have flowed in a thousand channels, and have been exhibited in an indescribable variety of forms. We are surrounded by the tokens of his goodness, by the manifest proofs of his affectionate regards. His friendship characterises all the movements of his providence—is engraven on the whole volume of revelation—is the source of all our gracious communications—and will form the essence of our future eternal felicity,