of the saints, and from that of the Holiest of the holy, Jesus Christ Himself. Hew deep and tender was His affection for St. John, His favorite apostle, and how He loved Lazarus and Mary and Martha of Bethania!
Moreover, history tells us that St. Peter loved St. Mark with deep affection, and that not less did St. Paul love St. Timothy. St Gregory of Nazianzen was united to St Basil in the closest bonds of friendship, also St. Augustine with St. Ambrose, and so on.
But never, in all the records of friendship, can history point to one which equals in faithfulness and unselfish devotion that of Jonathan, the son of Saul. Jonathan knew that David had been chosen by God to inherit the scepter of Saul, and yet he remained absolutely free from jealousy, and even defended his friend with heroic zeal against the hatred of his own father. Beautiful, truly sublime are the vows which they exchanged; tender and true, beyond death and the grave, was the love which they showed to one another.
5. Therefore, do you also seek to find a friend, but seek him among your equals, among young men of your own age, and only one who is likely to encourage, and not to hinder you in the practice of virtue. And if you have found such a friend, give thanks o God, and remain faithful to this friend, alike in prosperity and in adversity.
Remain faithful to him as did a certain young artist who wrote to his friend, a famous
