Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-04-06
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 mixture Of smiles and sun
slime. Wherever he went, he succeeded ia
making everybody about him as pleasant as
himself
Said we. one dav,-for lie was one ofthat
delightful class whom everybody feels privi-
legged to be related to-" Uncle uncle, how
is it that YOU contrive to be so happy p
Why is vour face so cheerful, when so many
thousands are craped over with a most un-
comfortable gloominess I?
NV dear Young friend he answered.
with his placid smile, I am even as Others,
afflicted with infrmities, Il have had my
share Of sorrow-'omo would say more-but
| have found out the secret of being happy,
and it is this:
Forqst self
Until you do that, ron can lay but little
claim to a cheerful spirit. Forget what
manner of man you are,' and think more and
rejoice more for your neighbors. If I am
poor, let me look upon my richer friend.
and in estimating his blessings, forget my
privations.
my naighbor is building house, let
me watch its progress. and think, well, what
a comfortable place it will be, to be sure -
Thus have double pleasure Of de-
light in noting the structure as it expands
into beauty, and making my neighhor's veal
mine. If he has planted a fine garden. I
GRANGE conid do more if it was nv own :?
Another has 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 l. therefore, envy my
neighbor his lovely children? No; let me
eniov their innocentsmiles with him let me
forget myseif-my tears when they were
u away in darkness; or if I weep, NAV it
Ar JOY that God took them untaintedsto
with His holy angels forever.
fieve an old man when hesav there is
go Eeasure in living for others. The
Dartaof The sseli1h man is like city full of
crooked lanes. II generous thought from
some glorious temple strays in there, wo to it
it is lost. 1t wanders about and wanders
about, until enveIoped in darkness; as the
mist Of selishness gathers around, it lies
down upon some cold thought to die, and is
shroudad in oblivion
80 if you would be happy. shun selfish
ness; do kindly deed for this one, speak a
kindly word for another. lie who is con
stautly giving pleasure, is constantly receiv-
ing it. The little river gives to the great
ocean. anil the more it gives, the faster it
runs Stop its flowing, and the hot sun
would drv it up. till it would be but filthy
mud, sending forth bud odors, and corrHpt
ing the fresh air Of Heaven. Keep YOU
heart constantly travelling on errands finer
cy-it has feet that never tire, hands tha
cannot be overburlened, eyes that never sleep
freight its hands with blessings direct it
eves--no matter how narrow your sphere
to the nearest object Of suffering, and reIiev
it.
4 say, my dear Young friend, take tn
word Of an old man for it, who has tried eve
ry known panacca, and found all to fail, eN
cept this golden rule
'Forg't self anl keep the heart Jasyto
Others.