A good companion is better than a fortune, for a fortune cannot purchase those elements of character which make companionship a blessing. The best companion is one who is wiser and better than ourselves, for we are inspired by his wisdom and virtue to nobler deeds. Greater wisdom and goodness than we possess lifts us higher mentally and morally.

It is true that we cannot always choose all of our companions. Some are thrust upon us by business and the social relations of life. We do not choose the, we do not enjoy them, and yet we have to associate with them more or less. The experience is not altogether without compensation. If there be principle enough in us to bear the strain. Still, in the man, choice of companions can be made, and must be made. It is not best or necessary for a young person to associate with “Tom, Dick and Henry” without forethought or purpose. Some fixed rules about the company he or she keeps should be observed. The subject should be uppermost in the thoughts, and canvassed often.

Companionship is education, good or bad; it develops manhood or womanhood, high or low, it lifts the soul upward or drags it downward; it ministers to virtue or vice. There is no half way work about its influence. If it ennobles, it does it grandly. If it demoralizes, it does it devilishly, it saves or destroys lustily. Nothing it the world is surer than this. Sow virtue, and the harvest will be virtue. Sow vice, and the harvest will be vice. Good companions help us to sow virtue; evil companions help us to sow vice.