Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-10-06
MISCE LII A N Y
How to be Happy.

We copy from the Boston Olive Branch
one of Mrs. Denison's beautiful lessons II
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 mixture of smiles ano
sunshine. Wherever he went, he succeed
ed in making everybody about him as pleas
ant as himself.
Said we, one day,-for he was one Of
that delightful class whom every body feels
privileged to be related to,-"Uncle, uncle,
how is il that you contrive to be so happy
Why is your face so cheerful, when so ma
ny thousands are craped over with most
uncomfortable gloomlness? :?
"My dear, young friend" he answered,
with his placid smile, IL am even as others,
afflicted with infirmihes, | have had my
share of sorrow-some would say more
but | have found out the secret of beng
happy, and it is this:
"forget self.
"Untl you do that, you can lay but little
claim to cheerful spirit Forget what
manner Of man you are,' and 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 puvations.
eff my neighbor is building house, let
me watch with him its progress, and think,
We'll, what comfortable place it will be
to be sure; how much he may enjoy 1t
with his family Thus ] have double
pleasure-that of delight in noting the
structure as it expands into beauty, and
making my nqighbor's veal mine. If he
has planted fine garden, feast my eyes
on the flowers, smell their fragrance could
do more if il was my own?
"Another has a family of fine children ;
they bless him and are blessed by him ;
mine are all gone before me: have none
that bear my name; shall |, therefore. en-
Wy my neighbor's lovely chldren' No;
let me enjoy their innocent smiles with
him; let me forget myselJ-my tears when
they were put away in darkness; or If
weep, may it be for Joy that God took them
untainted to dwell with his holy angels for
ever.
"Believe an oldm when he says there
is great pleasure in living for others. The
heart Of selfish man is like city full OF
crooked lanes. Ifa generous thought from
some glorious temple strays in there, wo to
tit is lost. 1t wanders about and wan
ders about, until enveloped in darkness
as the mist of selfshness gathers around, it
lies down upon some cold thought to die,
and is shrouded in oblivion.
$50, if you would be happy, shun selfish
ness; do kindly deed for this one, speak
kindly word for another He who is con-
stantly giving pleasure, is constantly re-
ceiving it. The little river gives to the
great ocean, and the more 1t gives, the fast
er it runs. Stop its flowing and the hot
sun would dry it up, till it would be but
filthy mud, sending forth bad odors, and
corruptlng the fresh air of Heaven. Keep
your heart constantly travelling on errands
of mercy--it has feet that never tire, hands
that cannot be over-burdened eyes that
never sleep; freight its hands with tless-
ings, direct its eyes-no matter how mar
row your sphere-to the nearest object of
suffering, and relieve it.
81 say, my dear young friend take the
word cf an old man forit, who has tried
every known panacea, and found all to fail,
except this golden rule,
"FOrget self, and keep The heart busy
for OiherS"