American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-08-28
A Desire TO PLEASE.

thing. Those who hare tidfe of it are
usually thurllsh and unsocial; or at
least, not agreeable companions, though
they may be good and Intelligent peo-
pie: But, reader, while the possession
of this scntlnicht iii high degree may
make us more agreeable to others, be-
ware lest it render you less happy
Many have pined, and sorrowed and
died broken hearted because they could
not please every body.
The sphere for this sentiment is the
home circle, the family; but it may also
60 out q little to the cottages of our
neighbors without danger Of becoming
too ambitious. The home circlc-a
desire to please those %ho surround the
same hearthstone with ourselves how
nice a thing it is! Il desire to please
parents; sisters brothers, children, so
far as it accords with their duties, and
interests, is only desire to make them
happy and see the evidence Of the fact.
When we try to please, we want to
know that we have succeeded, and we
are willing to try, and try on, with on
ly the prospect of this poor boom, an
acknowledgement cf OUR success; but we
tire when We either fail of success, or
see no recognition of the effort. A
child plucks the prettiest rose and pre-.
sents it to sister. Watch the child.
1t is looking into her face to see if she
is pleased and thankful. But she
scarcely receives it, and carelessly toss
es it aside as useless, uncared-for
trifle. The child says not word, but
this desire to please in his heart, which
ought to be gratifed that it may be
cultivated; says; you'll get no more
roses frttt me.'' Then, peach OF Il
flower is presented to polite old gem
tleman who is only neighbor and
friend. He receives the gift thankful
ly-yes; thankfullyS rot for It's valte,
but for its ihtEht-aand iii ati appfopri.
ate manner evinces his pleasure. From
this time forth he is favdrite and the
recipient of many q little gift and token.
Let Us not look lightly at this little i'd
agery. It's exactly so with men aha
women; they will give ttsif little to-
kens of esteem and affection to those
who seem to appreciate them; they will
be agreeable to those who can be plea
sed.
Theft ,ry to please those with whom
you daily associate; and don't forget to
try to be pleased when they try to please
you This sentence is rather homely
English; but it contains much that
shtuld BIZ remembered aHd tractiGed,
aid we let it stand as it is. It is the
chief part Of 6uf social duty to try to
please, under certain restrictions, and
some of these We shall give
/: Do not try to please evSfSB8dy.
You t6ala hot stGEeed; s6d Would be
mortified and panied; you would proba-
bly, please nobody. A desire to please
all the World is o wicked and foolish
ambition.
Q. Never give tp bfihcible, ttath Sr
right to please anybody. They are
y4trsj three gems Which God gave to
his children when he gave them world
to live I'M and they must be kept sacred,
Besides, even the Wicked will not re-
stBEt ts for giving these up to please
them, or in any wsyj doing wrong for
the sake of pleasing
! 8. Never fail to oy6df duty beSat.se
it would seem at first to be unpopular;
and never do what you think is wrong
because it would be applauded.
q. Please your children as far as you
can without interfering with your pro.
per authority, or their obligations -.
Show that you desire and labor to make
them good and happy, and when they
do well, sho% them how much it pleas.
es you, not by silly laudatious such as
you would address TO monkey or parl
rot, but by all those sigus which flow
from a ajoyous heart. They can under
stand it.
| S. Please all so far as you can in a
life of Christian faithfulness, and you
will find many smile and flower to
comfort you in your path; but grieve
not when you see your best efforts
sighted and apparently wasted. 1t
has been the lot Of all who have gone
efore.-La. Baptist.
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