The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-09-13
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21e Goodness V Coz manyeNed 20 Alan,
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Il is very usual Tor men to wish ,hat
they were not exposed to any esns; n
they had the power of choosing, AID
could regulate AZ pleasure Their condition
in lie, they would cndeavour to uoslln
one that would be exempt from all niafi-
ner OF trouble and atfilcion. hui, itisa
question, whether We should Ue really
happy, if nothing ever h.pptneo to ols-
,urb DOR rcpose and well L.'og; q II 'iie
course of our hives was 10 .ontilMc IN
one uniform, calm, ,inroihed by The VI
cissitudes of dlsags gs,ebbie occurrences
This question, upon tn decision OF
which, much Of o0r tranquility m ,his
state Of existence depends, is highly oe-
serving our a.lcptio,L taking Gaze al the
same time to avoid the dtluslurs OF SELF
love.
Should we really tc happy il we were
in this world TO enjoy uninterrupted plos-
perity9 cannot think We should. Con.
slant prosperity would soon reccne in
sipid, and disgust would convert our ie-
iiciiy in,o.abso!ute misery. On the con-
,rary, the evils we something's exptrience,
enhance The value OF our blessings, IS
colours IRE relieved by the contrast Of
shades. II no winter prcsdsd, should
we be SO sel,sitly ;Hrcled by the pIeas-
urcs of spring? Without illness. c,,uld
We Justly appreciate the value Of heahhs
or taste the sweets OF fcpose without toli
and labour And could we know To
their full extent the pcsce and consola--
tion Of good conscience, Il we never
had experienced thc~trials oi temptation,
or the paogs OF remmse The mc's Db-
siac!cs there are to oppose our hsPpslssss
the greater is cur jpy when we hast sur
mouu,ed them. The more sensibly we
feel the weight Of misery and oppression,
the greater IS our happiness when We are
delivered from our buaden. Besides, II
the misfortuncs of which we so many
complain did not sometimes befall usS
We should be ckroscdL 10 tyih of much
greater importance. If we lived in on9
continued rouud Of prosperity, We shc,ll4
abandon ourselves to pride, luxury and
ambition. 1--we never knew the niasrkE
OF dependence, and the Wrctchcdncss 81
want, we should have 10 stimulus to cx..-
er,ion, nothing to rouse US 10 action, no
one would exercise bis taents, or cult.
vate his faculties, no one would be snir
patcd with zeal for the public good y
we were never exposed to danger. how
could we learn prudence, or experience
the sentiments Of compassion tor those
whose life is in danger} If we had nd
misfortunes to fesr, how liable shodtl
we be to forget, IN the intoxication ct
our prosperity, our gratitude to COP,
charity FOR our neighbs ur, nnd all Tie
great duties Of life. And are not these
virtues and noble qualities Of the soul:
infinitely. preferable to continued sue.
cession Of sensual pleasures, which, wheil
they are no longer stimulated by their
novelty, produce safety and disgust!
:. He, who continually reposcs on Tic
bosom Of prosperity, soon becomes
weary Of excrting himself for the benefit
of others, and incapable Of any great &C.
ton; but when adversely opens his eyes
| to his real state, he will return to wisdom,
activity and virtue"
How foolish ard unjnst are the de.
sires of men They wish to live quiet,
content and happy, and they are dissatis-
iird with the means which will conduct
them to the haven Of their desires. Dur
| ing the heat Of summer we sigh for cool
brcezes, and yet are ,roubled when VIC
sec the storm that will procure them. be.
gin TO threaten. Thunder puri6es the
air, and fcrtilizes the garth: and yet when
It awfully rolls among the clouds, We
| <,~~.,.l..,v s.c the fear that mcgee Sses our