The Friendly Handclasp

THE FRIENDLY HANDCLASP* BY A. WOOTTON.

If the good that has been done in the world by the fervent handclasp of sincere friendship could be written, its study would be profitable to the world as a reformatory agent, and its power would be made to do service in the cause of human happiness more than it is at present. It is one of the cheapest forms of friendly expression, and always seems more sincere than mere words. When the heart is too full for words, the warm clasp of the hand will speak volumes, and its memory will linger to give joy to the weary wanderer from home and friends; and will draw the heart irresistibly back to the loved ones far away. When the heart is crushed with sorrow for departed loved ones, and words of comfort would have but empty sound, a warm, sincere grasp of the hand, prompted by heartfelt sympathy, will do much to ease the pain of a wound which only time with divine aid can heal. The cold handshake will often reveal the shallowness of the fawning, flattering words of the hypocrite, while a fervent handshake may reveal a warmth of friendship that, but for this method of communication, must remain unexpressed in the heart of one whose uncultured language is incapable of such expression, or whose stammering tongue is unable to express the warmth of a sympathetic, loving heart hidden under a rough exterior. Language may serve as a medium between intellect and intellect, but there is no avenue of communication like the warm pressure of the hand to bring heart in close and loving communication with heart, and to arouse a joy that bounds and rebounds with increasing

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intensity. Like mercy, "it is twice blessed, it blesses him that gives and him that receives." Words of kindness, love, sympathy or compassion may be given for the effect they may have on others in favor of the speaker, but the warm clasp of the hand can have no such ulterior purpose, being realized only by those immediately interested; besides, it

approaches closely to the injunction of the Savior — "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." The more universal practice of friendly and brotherly handshaking among the Latter-day Saints would, no doubt, tend greatly to bring about that union of feeling and purpose referred to by the Savior when he prayed that the disciples might be one with him as he was one with the Father, for hard, indeed, is the heart that is not favorably affected by a hearty shake of the hand. There are often filmy clouds of estrangement that arise between friends, which, if unchecked, will develop into a density of distrust, when a warm, friendly grasp of the hand, accompanied by a friendly gleam of the eye, might disperse those threatening clouds and let sunshine again into the doubting heart. In the family, in the social circle and in every department of human association, this potent factor should be made to do its part in bringing about that condition of "peace on earth and good will to men" so much talked of, so much to be desired, and to which every true Christian is looking forward as the final outcome and result of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.