In her book "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 339) Mary Baker Eddy asks, "Hast thou a friend, and forgettest to be grateful?" The word friend derives from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning to love; so it is natural that friendship should signify affection. Inherent in friendship are integrity, fidelity, trustworthiness, and unselfishness. A friend cherishes and holds in loving esteem the innate uprightness of the true being of others, no matter how perverse the human manifestation may seem to be. The kindness, courtesy, and patience of loving friendship gladden and bless human experience.
Friendship in its highest sense requires that one love his friend as himself. When we truly love our friend, we concede to him the same rights which we claim for ourselves —that is, the ability to think and to make decisions. We do not envy his achievement, covet his possessions, or put obstacles in the way of his advancement. A friend rejoices in another's progress, knowing that the riches and graces of Spirit are present to be mutually shared and expressed by all.
The meaning of the word friendship is sometimes perverted. We hear of political, social, or business friendships wherein no element of real friendship enters, but only personal advantage is sought. From such so-called friendships there may at any time arise betrayals, disappointments, losses, and heartaches. When one seeks to gain through worldly manipulation, he himself may lose through such manipulation. James writes (4:4), "Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." The right worker is loyal to Principle and to his right concept of man. He depends on demonstration, not on worldly prestige, for his advancement.
