Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-03-03
INGRATITUDE.


How delightful the ability as we'll as the ]
disposition to confer favors! What pleasure '
It must afford the rich and the powerful to re-
lieve the wants and soothe the sufferings Of
the poorl The recollection of such conduct
is calculated to sweeteR every hour of after
existence. What reflections could be more
f~elicitous than those caused by having rescued
some erring child of humanity from a down.
ward ~career-having frightened the hearth Of
acme lonely and impoverished widow-having
averted the bankruptcy Of some f~riend-hav-
Ing rendered a loan at the momentit was least
expected and most ~desired-haying appeared
as u messenger of generosity and joy; when
to the sufferer all the world seemed mercenary
and heartless! The pleasures of Philan-
thropy," are yet to be described. But volumes
might be produced by some competent mind
and heart upon such a fruitful subject.
But, alas! for the weakness and the vicious
ness of human nature. How often does it
happen that favors are sources of anxiety rath-
or than of pleasure, because of the ingratitude
Of mankind. How often do they convert
friends into enemies, make individuals hate
their benefactors, simply because of that vicious,
selfish passion ofthe human heart, which un-
der a sense of obligation, begets n feeling Of
rancour even amongstthe most intimate friends.
Do you not know such cases, gentle reader
Have you not experienced this strange perver-
sity ! Can you not call to mind some individ-
ual, who is indebted to you for n kindness, a
favor, a loan-and who has grown colder and
colder from day to day and from year to year,
until he now is an enemy rather than a friend ?
Have you not also seen cases in which the
obligation at first regarded as kindly and gen.
erous in an eminent degree, was afterwards
derided, condemned, and attributed to improp-
er motives? What fiend is more marble-hear-
ted than ingratitude? How strange it is, that
individuals so circumstanced, can rcvile or as
sail their benefactors! How dark and deplor-
able q feature of the human heart! And vet
its existence how few will deny! The migrate
full man is indeed n disgrace to humanity. lie
is neither entitled 20 sympathy nor respect
He not only Injuries himself, but he exciteg dis
~ At'AAhAA CIV ldlRCs ILL CilCChS llG
hand of generosity, when about to act in the
most liberal spirit. But all-thank Heaven
are not so. All do not yield to this demon oil
our evil nature. There rrc many who are
grateful for the smallest %favors, who nppreci
ate and remember acts Of kindness and good.
will till the latest hour Of existence. Nothing
so delights them rs an opportunity to recipro
cate. They are never so happy as when &c.
~knowledging and repaying a kindness. They
are true to the best impulses of generosity ant
justice, and they love their fellow creature.
with n spirit of brotherhood and Affection
We have known individuals who years afte
some slight favor had been conferred, ant
when it was forgotten by the benefactor, re
turned it gladly and eagerly a hundred fold
The cup of water given in the right spirit t.
the bcggar who knocks at our door, the crumI
that falls from the table, the aims however tri
AiEg,-al have their uses and their reward
Let no one be deferred from the exercise o
charity, because in his progress through life h
has encountered many an instance of black in
gratitude. Let not the innocent suffer for til
guilty! We hold to the faith, that no act o
humanity, no word of Kindness, no smile of be
nevolence, is altogether v~alueless or lost. w
may not see the effect to-day. 1t may escaE
our observation entirely. But it will neye
theless have existence. 1t is our duty at lea
to act in q generous, a benevolent and a chri
tan spirit, satisfied that the All-seeing Mir
penetrates far deeper than any human for
sight, and notes not only every deed, but ey
ry thought of the great human family, L
.ungratefuI, on the other hand, should remeI
Der that sooner or later 4 day Of retributi
will come. Let them beware-and resist
first insidious approach of Satanic Pride
pride by which the angels fell and OF VIII
Inrratitude is the eldest born.