The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-12-07
Pearls to be Treasured

From strlng oi gems that enriched one OF
the most admirable Thanksgiving sermons
we ever read-and which was delivered by
the Rev. DR.. Adams, of Madison Square
Church, N. we gather the following
LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.
Many are the scenes Of domestic festivity
in our land to day, but he who has feast
only on the last IhnrsdOy in November has
a sad life There is daily festivity, which
depends not on the quality of the fare with
which the table Is spread, whether it be
dinner Of herbs or stalled OK, but always on
those genial qualities Of the heart, which
incline US as We say, to look on the bright
side, aud to make the best OF everything
Strange that this disposition is not univer. |
sal. But we come 10 contact with a most
singular fact, which at first is not go easy
of analysis, that people are intent on play.
ing the miserable, as II there were virtue
in it. The real solution is that il is an ex.
ualIy cheerful who does not think mure OF
Others than Of himself. Mulrtudes appear
to be s,udious of something which makes
them unhappy; for unhnppnesI txeites at,
t"ntion, and attention Is supposed to inspire
interest, and interest, comparison. You
have seen person Of very robust and cor
pu!ent habit, so robust as ought to excite
perpetual gratitude for joyous health, some
times putting on the airs Of on invalid, for
no reason in the world but to draw out to.
wards him some expression of afectionate
concern, ond SO crafty his sell conceit.-I
That very mood which in children is called
being "haughy," tor which they are whip,
and sent to bed, in young people is dignifisd ID
With the name Of slow spirts," for which
they are to be petted and pited whilst in
elderly people it is known as "neryou, ness, !"
for which i, is expected they should be hu.
mored to the luI tension Of mortal patien ce.
cHEERFuLNEss AT HuME.
The parent who does not practice it loos
ems the strongest bond which draws chill.
Gren to virtue. Once make the impression
that goodness is auSiere, and it has lost ite
charms TOR those who reach conclusions, not
through reasoning but the feelings. Per.
haps you can recall persons with whom you
have been thrown into contact when YOU
were young, who, in your present judg
ment, were good. but every way repulsve.
You never associated them with sunshine.
You felt thlt goodness had strange tendency
: to make one unhappy. Some OF the bes
men the world has seen have lived to regre
; just this tning-the want of habitual cheer
, Iulness in the presence OF their Children
1t may be taken as postulate of the socil
system that home should always be tn
L must cheerful and attractive place on esrth
. aud whatever is expended to make il such
is expended wisely and economically. N
man is qualified tor the first Offices OF 81
educator at home or else" hare, who is no
II habitualy cheerful. Reverence is on ea
u sent al quality OF character, but it is mi:
t take to exact it by gruff austerety, Moth
ing can be more grotesque, for example, tha
y the eDactments Tor respect which prevsie
{ at Yale College during the last cenlurl
u when the wearing OF a hat by Freskma
was interdicted uy statute ; and the exa,
y measure in rods was specified ut whc
obeiSauce vas to be made to that specime
~ OF the multum in paruo-a college Office
Respect, reverence, are not to be compelle
'e by big wigs and elongated faces and ass ume
&c dignites they must be given to cheerl
=" worth, as flowers open themselves to Il
- sun. II it were proper, we could descril
VI some Of the grave mistakes which we
u made in his home by th4t great met ply
Il. ici,n-of whom any family or any count
~ might be proud-J0nathan Edwards. Fl
'e bographer Informs Us that his chldrt
NC were not expected 10 keep their seats in
- presence ; that he ate from Il silver bowl
'o one set apart for special reverence, and tn
~ his features seldom relaxed rom the one E
"' preston of grave austerity. II that great u
'e' g cd man had been more cheerful at hea
y! some disastrous results probably ne'
&c would have occurred.
mis-
GOD BLESS THAT BRIGHT SUNNY FACE.
II II we speak OF the mistakes Of good O
IN, pious men, what shall soy by way Of CO
:, mending that sweet cheerIulness by whicl
10 coed and sensible woman diffuses the oil
no gladness in the proper sphere Of home. 7
4, best specimens Of heroism in the wo
.c- were never g'ze,ted. They play the ro'e
N common life, and their reward is not in
ia admiration Of spectators, but in the deep
~ of their own conscious thoughts. 1t is Ell
lad for housewife to make arrangements
=. an occasional feast. But let me tell J
what is greater and better. Amid the W
oo. riness and cares of life; the troubles r
., and imaginary, Of q family; the tkoushts &
~. tolls which are requisite to make the fau
- the home of thrift, order and comfort;
49,. varieties of temper and cross lines Of ia
~, and inclination which are to be found Il
l.. large houeehold-to maintain q heart full
good nature, and face always-bright "
cheerfulness, that is a perpetual festivity
,od do not mean a mere superficial sim
which has no more character in It than
- flow Of q brook, but that exhaustless
tience and selE-control and kindness,
;,r tact, which syringe from good sense
,be brave purposes. Neither is it the mere
Election VI prosperity-for cheerfulness, Il