The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-12-22
HOW TO BE HAPPY.


We copy from the Boston Olive Branch
one Of Mrs. Denison's beautiful lessons in
life. She says:
A boon Of inestimable worth is calm,
thankful heart--a treasure that few, very
few possess. We once met an old man,
whose face was a mixture Of smiles and
sunshine. Whereverhe went, he succeed
ed in making every body about him as
pleasant as himself.
Said we to him one day. for he was ono
of that delightful class whom every body
feels privileged to be related to,-"Uncle.
uncle, how is it that you contr;ve to be so
happy! Why is your face so cheerful,
when 80 many thousands are capped over
with most uncomfortable gloomiD ess?"
"My dear young frisnd," he answered,
with his placid smile, 81 am even as 9th.
ers afflicted with in6rmities, have had
my share Of sorrow--some would say
more-but have found out the secret Of
being happy, and it is this:
Forget self.
Until you do that, you can lay but little
claim to cheerful spirit. "Forget what
manner Of man you are" end think more
with, rejoice more for your neighbors. II
| am poor, let me look upon my richer
friend, and in estimating his blessings, for
get my privations.
.If my neighbor is building house.
let me watch with him its progress. and
think swell what comfortable place il
will be, to be sure; how much he may on.
Joy it with his family" Thus have a
double pleasure of 'delightis is nothing,
the structure as it expands into beauty
makes my neighbors veal mine. II he
has planted fine garden, | feast my eyes
on the flowers, smell their fragrance; could
do more if it was my own? 3H 'iF
Another has family Of fine children
they blessed him and are blessed by him
mine are all gone before me; have non.
that bear my name; shall | therefore envy
my neighbor and his lovely children2 No
let me enjoy their innocent smiles witt
him; let me forget myselLmy tears wher
they were put away in darkness; or if
weep. may it be for Joy that God tool
them to dwell with His holy angels forever
Believe an old man when he says Their
is great pleasure in living for others. Th
heart of the selfish man is like city ful
Of crooked lanes. II generous though
from some glorious temple strays in there
wo to tit is lost. 1t wanders about an
wanders about, until enveloped in dark
ness; as the mist Of sel6shness gather
around, it lies down upon some coli
thought to die, and is shrouded in oblivion
So if you would be happy. shun selfish
ness; do kindly deed for this one, speal
kindly word for another. He who i
constantly giving pleasure, is constantl
receiving it. The little river gives to tn
great ocean, and the more it gives the fas
ter it runs. Stop it, flowing and the he
sun would dry 1t up. till it would be bu
filthy mud, sending forth bad odors, an
corrupting the fresh air Of Heaven. Kse
your heart constantly travelling on errand
of mercy, it has feet that never tire, hand
that can not be overburdened, eyes ths
, never sleep; freight its hands with bles
, sings, direct its eyes-no matter how mai
/ row your sphere-to tho nearest object Z
suffering, and relieve it.
| say, my dear young friend, take tn
J word Of an old man for it, who has trio
every known panacea, and found all t
fail except this golden rule.
) "Forget self, and keep the heart bus
for others" a