The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-03-12
From the Fafmcls' Cabinet.
COMPLAINING.

4 well-dlsGp!ILtd mind studies 10 he content.
In ancient times, amongst various 9th
err definitions which we've given of the
word man, Plato defined him TO be Il BIZ
MD without! feathers. In more modern
times, in England, man wa defined to be
a lax-pay my animal; and in this country
some have thought that an appropriate
definition would be that of compiainiRg
animaL This thought, | suppose. took
its origin from the circumstance of The
general disposition apparent among far
mers TO complain of the current state Of
things, be they whatever they might.
Having more or less Of this complaint my
self, anA moving much among those who
are afflicted with II, have often had my
attention tuned TO the su j2cl. and on en-
animation | find it to be highly coula-
gious disease, being pr"pasated through
whole neighburhouds at almost any SEA-
son of the y al; but II appears to rage with
the greatest violence IN the summer sea-
SOD. 1t is almost always too dry or too
wet, too c. Id or too hot, for persons la
boring under this ailllcllon. Six weeks
ago it was SAID To be ST. cold and late IA
spring thai the crops were i'll great copar-
dy; thea il was too wet; next SO dry as to
excite living apprehensl"ns for the safety
of the winter gram, cora, and potatoes.
Following this was Il considerable lail,
when the grass and hay became objects Of
prime solIcIlude; and III ibis way we are
tossed about from one apprehension to
another the year round, with Il very small
portion OF time Shlch can be said to be
enjoyed i'll calm, conlidlng conposure OF
mind.
I his state of things, Mr.. Cabinet. all
testify has existed for at least hall cen
tury. and how much longer cannot tell,
for | well remember, when ii small boy,
to have heard these complaints reiterated
almost day by day, and they Eave contln-
ued to be poured out at short intervals
from that time to the present Now it is
said slhal while the earth remaineth, seed
time and harvest, and cold and hra,, and
summer and winter, ana day and night,
shall not cease, and even so 1t has been
from the days OF Moses TO the present
time; aud there is no rational ground Tor
apprehension but that tho promise will
continue to be fulfilled to all future gen
cralions OF men who may lMhabll ltlc
earth.
What NAV have been the original ca,.sr
of this querllous d'sposlIlon, know not,
but ii is very certain that the influence uI
educa ion and the force of example has
had great tendency to disseminate and
perpctuaie it among the youth OF our
country, but Tor what good purpose, ili-
not easy to see; Tor it will readily be adj
mIlted by all, that no danger was ever
avoided, OF good work ELECTED by the
operation of complaining, however plau
slble or rational the causes OF it may have
been supposed to be; but the influence "i
repeated and almost constant duIoruus
complaints Of the ways of providence i'll
his wise ordering OF the times and sea-
sons, for this is " hat it amounts 10, eXcris
very painful and prcjudlcIal influence Oh
the minds oi tender and inexperienced
youth, by exciting approximations ana
dread of what seldom or never comes to
pass; and tending to annhIatr and dcs-
troy that confidence which should al
ways be cherished and strengthened, of
the immediate experimenting power Of
the Almighty in regard 10 all The works
oil creation.
Ii, then, complaining effects no good
purpose whatever, let us abandon it our
selves and dscountenance it in others;
and il it ihAicts rai and suffering on the
young and susceptible minds of our chill
dren, let us, for their sakes, hold our
peace, and display cheerful mpnIiness
Of character betting Christian, under
the various dispcnsatlons which may he
meled ont to us in our journey through
life BY the Author Of all our mercIrs.
ABRAHAM.