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Companionship

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 23, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 17.

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Companionship

By Leora Warren

LEORA WARREN
COMPANIONS! What a volume of memories present themselves to us as we consider for a moment those with whom we have associated! Yes, there have been some especially near to us because they seemed to catch the ideas, the sentiments, the spirit of our life.
But what has been our guide in the choosing of companions? Have we sought the company of those who could lift us to a higher plane by their Christ-like example, by their refinement of speech and manner? or have we been content to go with the careless, unrefined world lover, whose thought and conversation are of matters of but little value? "Like the body, the mind derives its strength from the food it receives. It is broadened and elevated by pure, strengthening thoughts; it is narrowed and debased by thoughts that are of the earth earthly."
God places great stress upon the influence of association, even upon men and women. How much greater is its power on the developing mind and character of children and youth! The company they keep, to a great extent, will decide the question of their usefulness here and of their future destiny. Through contact with the irreligious, the pleasure-loving, we may lose the simplicity, the faith in God, the spirit of self-sacrifice, which Christian parents have cherished and guarded by careful instruction and earnest prayer.
Wherever we go we shall always find two classes,—those who seek to please God, and those whose influence will be cast on the side of the adversary. It has been truly said, "Show me your company and I will show you your character." We as young people often fail to realize how sensibly both our character and our reputation are affected by our choice of associates. As a stream partakes of the property of the soil through which it runs, so the principles and habits of youth invariably become tinctured with the character of the company in which they mingle.
By association with those who practice right doing, there will be created in the heart a distaste for that which is cheap and common and at variance with the principles of God's Word. But should we never associate with those we consider uncultured and unchristian? We may; but we must be sure that we are the molding power, and not being molded to their likeness. We have only to look to our Pattern to find what the result of right influences may be on another. There was Peter, ever ready to speak for himself and others, uneducated, but one who could be taught. After three years and a half with the meek and lowly Jesus, he learned the lesson of humility, and was ready to follow his Master, to die for the sake of Christ.
There, also, were James and John, whom we think of as possessing those lovely traits of character, but who Christ said were "the sons of thunder." Yet John's heart was susceptible to the love of Jesus. He was eager to have a place close to his Saviour. By listening to his gentle words, his heart became softened, and how often we hear him admonishing us to love one another! O, the power of companionship!
In the life of Elisha we have another example of right company. He followed Elijah, doing faithfully the menial tasks assigned him, but ever breathing in the words that fell from the lips of his master. A higher position awaited him, because he chose to follow the man of God, rather than spend his time in gaining this world's pleasures and riches.
Do we desire to form correct habits? Then let us seek the company of those who are sound in morals, and whose aim tends to that which is good. "A good character is a capital of more value than gold or silver." "The youth who are in harmony with Christ, will choose companions who will help them in right doing, and will shun society that gives no aid in the development of right principles and noble purposes.
But a still higher companionship may be ours. "With the Word of God in his hands, every human being, wherever his lot in life may be cast, may have such companionship as he shall choose. In its pages he may hold converse with the noblest and best of the human race, and may listen to the voice of the Eternal, as he speaks with men. As he studies and meditates upon the themes into which 'the angels desire to look,' he may have their companionship. He may follow the steps of the heavenly Teacher, and listen to his words as when he taught on mountain and plain and sea. He may dwell in this world in the atmosphere of heaven, imparting to earth's sorrowing and tempted ones thoughts of hope and longings for holiness, himself coming closer and still closer into fellowship with the Unseen,—like him of old who walked with God,—drawing nearer and nearer to the threshold of the eternal world, until the portals shall open, and he shall enter there. He will find himself no stranger. The voices that will greet him are the voices of the holy ones, who, unseen, were on earth his companions,—voices that here he learned to distinguish and to love. He who through the Word of God has lived in fellowship with heaven, will find himself at home in heaven's companionship."