Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-05-14
CHARITIES THAT swEETEN LIFE.

pleasant WORDS! Do you know reader, how
potent spell lies in pleasant word Have you
not often thought of its power TO soothe-to charm
TO delight, when all things else fail? As you
have passed on through the journey Of life. have
you not seen it smoothing many a rufed brow, and
calming many an aching bosom? Have YOU not
noticed it in the house and by the way-at the fire
side and in the place of business? And have YOU
not felt that pleasant words among the ''chari-
ties that sweeten life ?'-Ah! yes, and their influ-
ence has come over your own soul.
When you come from the countngroom or work
shop care-worn and weary-when your brow has
been furrowed and your thoughts perplexed-when
troubles Of the present and anxeties for the future
have crowded every peaceful feeling from your
heart, and when you almost dreaded to return to
your own iresde, lest the sight Of dear ones there
should increase your distress-tell us what has
been the influence of pleasant word at such
timel Tell us how that, ere you opened your
door, the sound OF glad voices reached your ear and
as you entered, how the troubles of your soul were
laid at rest, and cares for the present and for the f-
ture, fled before the pleasant words of your smiling
children and the gentle greeting of your wife?
Or, when the ire of your spirit has been reused,
and indignant feelings have reigned supreme in your
brcast-when the angry threat was Just rising to
your lips, or the malignant wish about to burst from
your heart-what mighty spell caused the storm so
suddenly to subsde, and spoke the turbulent waves
50 quietly to rest!-Was it the whisper of pleas
ant word that restored calmness to your TEMPEST
| tossed soul? Did the soft answer turn away your
| wrath
Reader, we might write volume on this delight
ful theme. 20 where we will-abide where we
may, we feel its power. In every place we find
some who have but 10 speak, and Gloom unbidden
and unwelcome guest departs in haste, and the rag
ing waves of passion are hushed as by His voice
VINO once said ''Peace, be STILL But they are
lew Among multitudeS of the earth, how small
The number who habtually and from principle speak
pleasantly! You have met them Now ard then
they crossed your path, and doubt not your whole
soul has blessed them as it ought for the words
which were balm to your wounded spirit. And
did you not wish you were like them Did YOU
not feel that e2rth would be paradise indeed if ali
the tones OF that matchcss instrument the human
ooace, were in the harmony with the kind thoughts
OF thoroughly good heart2 But while you thus
wished did You resolve to add one to their number
Did you determine to initiate their example ?
Would that could persuade you that it is your du-
ty so to do--that hencefJrth you should make it a
study. You think it small matter recurring little
effort /; but assure you it might cost you many
struggle ere You could learn to speak in peasanness
to all whom you might chance to meet even in one
short day; and if you accomplished it, perhaps il
would be a better days work than ever YOU did.
and you might lay your head on the pillow of rest
at night with feelings akin to those of spirits around
the throne.
Oh, learn yc this art yourselves, all ye who have
felt its kindly influence from others. Speak plea
SAINT words to all around YOU and your path shall
yer be lighted by the smiles of those who welcome
your coming and mourn your departing steps
MOTHERS! speak pleasantly to the little ones who
cluster around yOu-speak EVER pleasantly, and be
assured that answering tones of joy and dispositions
formed to constant kindness shall be your reward
SISTER, BRorGER, FRIEND! Would Won rem
der life one sunny day-would you gather around
you those who will cheer You in the darkest hour
Let The Law of Kindness rule your tongue, and
your words be as pleasant as the "'dews of Her
mon," and as pleasant as the "dews that descend
cd on the mountains of Zion"