An over-anxious affection becomes tiresome, and a multiplicity of beautiful sentiments makes them almost insupportable. Devotion to a friend does not consist in doing _everything_ for him, but simply that which is agreeable and of service to him, and let it only be revealed to him by accident. We all love freedom, and cling tenaciously to our little fancies; we do not like others to arrange what we have purposely left in disorder; we even resent their over-anxiety and care for us. 3. _Be much occupied with my own affairs, and little, very little, with those of my friend._ This infallibly leads to a favorable result. To begin with, in occupying myself with my own affairs, I shall the more speedily accomplish them, while my friend is doing the same. If he appeals to me for help, I will go through fire and water to serve him, but if _not_, then I do both myself and him the greater service by abstaining. If, however, I can serve him without his knowledge of it, and I can see his need, then I must be always ready to do it. 4. _Leave my friend always at liberty to think and act for himself in matters of little importance._ Why compel him to think and act with me? Am _I_ the type of all that is beautiful and right? Is it not absurd to think that because another acts and thinks differently to myself, he must needs be wrong? No doubt I may not always say, "_You are right_," but I can at any rate let him _think_ it. Try this recipe of mine, and I can answer for it your friendship will be lasting. XI. BENEATH THE EYE OF GOD, GOD ONLY As you read these words, are you not conscious of an inward feeling of peace and quietness? _Beneath God's Eye!_ there is something in the thought like a sheltering rock, a refreshing dew, a gleam of light. Ah! why always such seeking for some one to _see_ me, to _understand_, _appreciate_, _praise_ me? The human eye I seek is like the scorching ray that destroys all the delicate colors in the most costly material. Every action that is done, only to be seen of others, loses its freshness in the sight of GOD, like the flower that passing through many hands is at last hardly presentable. Oh, my soul! be as the desert flower that grows, blooms, and flourishes unseen, in obedience to GOD'S Will, and cares not whether the passing bird perceives it, or the wind scatters the petals, scarcely formed. * * * * * On no account neglect the duty you owe to friendship, relatives, society, but remember each day to reserve some portion of it for yourself and GOD only. Remember always to do some actions that can be known to none but GOD. Ah! how sweet to have GOD as our only Witness. It is the high degree of holiness. The most exquisite happiness. The assurance of an entry into heaven hereafter.