The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-09-07
THE BEAUTY OF CHEERFULNEss.
us II not worse than vain TO close our eyes,
Upon the azure sky ard golden light,
Because the tenpest-coud doth sometimes rise,
And glorious day must uarkcn into nightY"

Upon the azure sky ard golden LIGHT.
Because the tempest-cl0ud doth sometimes rise
And glorious day must oarkcn into nghtYr
1t is sad thing to be peevish, lrctful and
discontented. There are times and seasons
when ii is almost impossible 10 rally re-
markable flow Of spirits, even when there is
apparently little or no cause for dependency.
But these, with the great majority of the hu-
man family, are, or should be, few and far
between. There are some persons who are
constantly making themselves unhappy, and
without reason. They zee Hs;h.ng but the
dark side Of life, and close .eir eye. and their
hearts to the bright. They ge: up In the
morning, out Of humor, 10; caIy with them.
selves, but all mankind; aai ahe;syer they
appear, or in whatever circle iHey have power
or influence, they chill, oise9vfare a-d re-
pulse. They PERM; ,beq.ssires 10 .i.5s,ge IL.
iaie jealoasies. fool.1lfsaiS a.s sagSs sppse-
henslons; and even il prosperous for the
present, they predict some sad calamity in tho
future, and thus prove themselves morbidly
iniirm, and in fact, insensibe to the blessings
Of Providence. The effect is not only to dis.
lress themselves, but to annoy and disquiet
Others. They are in the moral world, what
passing cloud is in the physical. They cast
gloom over everything for the moment, and
serve to drive away the sunny Gnnuences
which are so admirably calculated to brighten
the pathway of life. In what happy contrast
is the cheerful spiii--,ho individual whose
heart is full of kindness and generosity who
is ever ready to say good word, or to do Il
benevolent act, and whose daily life may be
likened TO Il constant beam of sunshine! He
may be disturbed and depressed for the mo-.
ment, but it will only be for moment. A
shadow may pass over his brow, and silence
may seal his lips, but his natural buoyuncy
will soon acquire the ascendant and his Joyous
laugh and cheerful smile will soon be heard
and seen again. Ii he cannot say anything
complimentary, he has the good sense and
manly feeling to keep his peace.-lf he can.
not praise he will not blame. Scandal has n o
charms for him, and malgnity is utterly for.
eign to his disposition. lie constantly tries 10
gladden. and encourage, to cheer the despond-
ing and unfortunate, to assist and relieve ia
the extent Of his ability. The head of house.
hold, or the master. spirit of an establishment
possesses, to n considerable extent, the means
OF making or maring the comfort and happi
ness OF all who look up 20, depend upon, OF
| fec! the exercise of his influenced! Imagine I;
peevsh, !retiul and dissatisfied individual un
der these circumstances! llsyery appearance,
creates n shu1der, for he is certain to sa,
something harsh, cold or unciyil, and, thus +
irritate feelings, trample upon sensibiities, 0
stimulate prejudices and passion. lie is mi.
cradle himse!fand, according to the old adag,
misery loves company. lie moves abou
like troubled spirit, and instead of smiI,
u cheering word and an encouraging look,
irOwn, rebuke ora gruTble are certain t
characterize his. progress. How much belt,
the gentler, milder, the geaerous policy. Ho
beautiful are cbeeriulness, beneyolence an
appreciation Under these circumstances; in Il
one case, the heart shfiaks back, the feelin:
revolt, aud the sympathies turn away, whi
in the other, the cheek glows with pleasui
the fountains OF emotion are filed TO oy,
flowing, and 4 co:dia. welcome and an inyc
un;ary blessing, are sure 70 attend, ike j
visible angels, the coming and the presence
ahe cheerful, the hind.hea-,ei, the appreei.
ing and Tie good.