POETS in all ages have sung the praises of friendship, and prose writers have never e tired of extolling the virtues thereof, but it has remained for a public entertainer of our day to depict his "friends" upon his bank cheques.
We are told that “his specially designed cheques bore the words ' The Great Lafayette' in large letters.
‘Beauty'—his dog—was depicted on them sitting beside bags of gold, with the inscription ' My Two Best Friends.' His amazing affection for his dog is said to date—with what truth cannot be known, for he never revealed his secrets—from a bitter experience in courtship in his early days. At all events, he affected to consider men and women as of infinitely less value than his animal pets.”
It is not the province of the writer to sit in judgment upon "Lafayette," but it is open to the writer to warn all, who may read his words, that if they have no better "friends" than those illustrated on "Lafayette's" check they are in a very sad and dangerous condition.
One of "Lafayette's" "friends"—his dog "Beauty"—died a few days before the accident, which ended the entertainer's life, occurred, and the other "friend" was hidden away in the vaults of his banker, and could render him no assistance at the critical moment. A friend needs to be at hand when one is in distress and difficulty, and there is such an One. "There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Prov. 18:24.) "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him." (Psa. 145:18.)
The dog "Beauty" could not help its master at the fatal fire, for the poor thing was dead, but the Friend of whom we speak and know liveth forever, and whosoever believeth in Him shall not see death, for such have passed from death unto life. The bags of gold stored away in the bank could not rescue "Lafayette from the devouring flames, nor can they deliver any. God says" neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land."(Zeph. 1:18) These are solemn words, but they are true." The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10)
This day is approaching, and there is but one means of escape from the fire of God's wrath. Be warned "to flee from the wrath to come." (Matt. 3:7.) Flee for your life to the Lord Jesus. He is the true and the tried Friend. If you turn to Him, and seek Him with all your heart, you shall find Him, (See Jer. 29:13.) This is God's command, and it is at your peril, if you refuse to obey Him.
P. I. B.