Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-09-13
nj | S G Il l. l. A N Y .

The VALUE OF A SMILE-NVho can tell the
value of a smile 1t costs the giver nothing, but
il is beyond price 10 the erring and Tesenting, the
sad and cheerless, the lost and forsaken 1t dis
arms malice, subdues temper, turns hatred to love,
revenge to kindness, and paves the darkest paths
with gems of sunlight. smile on the brow be-
trays kind heart, pleasant friend, an affection
ate brother, dutiful son, happy husband. 1t
adds charm to beauty, decorates the face of the
deformed, and makes lovely woman resemble the
angel of paradise.
TOW .rue Is '''a' 'e SOU" SPEAKS .Mtongn .ne
As the Divinity manifested in the face of Je-
sus, is the spiritual being reflected from the face
of humanity. Is the heart sad is the spirit grev-
ed the picture Is al thrown upon the canvass
Of the countenance. But when the cloud is gone
and joy returns, that same countenance is all "a
dent with smiles; every feature beams with de-
light. No wonder then that smile has magic
power. 1t is the language Of spirit and speaks of
inward joys; of inward contentment and happiness
1t tells of peace with God and good will to all man
kind. 1t tells of heaven and points the way to that
land.
observation-disclosures isan exalted Chris
tian virtue. 1t Is plant that grows not from d
lures soil. 1t is grace that must be cultivated
like the rose-tree, that it may flourish and shed
forth lis sweet fragrance amid The past senses OF
life To possess resignation, calm and settled I'M
der all circumstances, is a high attainment. Yet
ii is attanable and blessed are they who live I'M
der IFS benign influences. 1t will shed holy balm
over the moral waste of life, and cheer us amid the
darkest hours of our pilgrimage. Life has its cares
and Affections, its crosses and its conflicts its dis
appointments and It's sacrifices. But in every scene
OF earth resignation, like the strong and faithful
anchor that holds the ship IN safety till the storm
is past secures its possession. peace and quetness
till darkness and danger of the tempest are over,
and the sunshine of tranquility and joy again beams
1 q
our crosses pleasures, our dsappointments unex-
pected good, and sacrifices, either for our own
or the well being of others, acceptable oblations to
God.
As in matter, the assistance of inertia has to be
overcome when we put any thing in motion, and
we have to apply forceln order to do it, so in mind
There is an inertia of mind that has to be overcome:
and hence the necessity of mental effort And as
when we put matter IN motion, less force is requisite
to continue IL than was required to start it so in mind
too. 1t Is much easier to continue mental effort
when begun, than it was 10 commence.
We are more under the influence of example
than of precept and hence the expression-'.t
contagion of example" And why? Because we
only read and hear precepts, whereas we see ex-
amples; and that which thus directly addresses
our senses is calculated to make a more vivid i'm
preston on us than what we merely hear or read
Hence the great influence of example on children.
who are more under the influence, of the external
senses, and hence, too the importance of ''alwavs
setting good examples" in all things. The infu-
ence OF a bad example may be almost illimiable in
lis effects, and so may also be that of one that is
good.
CBRIsTIANITY.-NVe live in the midst of bless
ngS I'LL we are utterly nsensible of their great
ness, and of the source from whence they flow
We speak of our civilization our arts. our freedom
our laws. and forget entirely how large a share is
due to Christianity. Blot Christianity out Of mans
history, and what would his laws have been-what
his civilization Christianity is mixed up with
our very being, and our very life. Sir Allen Park
The Boston Waterman, some time ago told this
tale:
Father, what does the printer live on7''
"Wby, child?"
''You said you hadn't paid him for two or three
years, and yet y0n have his paper every week ~
'Iake the child out Of the room-what does he
know about right or ocrong ?'
SYMPATHT-A good deacon making an official
visit to dying neighbor, who was very churlish
and universally unpopular man, put TO him the us
ual question:
care you willing TO 60, my friend ~
ooh, yes," said the sick man, 81 am"
DWELL" said the supplemented deacon, 81 am