The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1860-01-25
Written for the JoURsAL.
RETROSPECTION.

Who that reviews the past does not
rejoice that time is still left for reflection,
and SEQ the importance ofimproying the
present. However much we may regret
that the golden moments are gone, and
however sad the Recollection may be,
still there is pleasure in reviewing the
past. If we lament the errors and mourn
over the weaknesses which we have dis
played, still we feel that tits God to try
to see ourselves as others see us. When
we think of the perils to which we have
been exposed either physically or moral
ly, and which we have escaped: We re-
joice that the danger is over and the evil
ayerted.
When we think of the blessings We
have enjoyed, we seem to be living over
the past and improving many phases of
the good we did not appreciate till it was
gone.
Improvement should DO written upon
every step Of our progress in life. Do
We know that we arc responsible for du-
ties neglected, as.woll as mercies abused {?
How changed will every purpose in life
appear if we are ready to turn every IN
cident to account however trivial. We
shall find that there are no trifles except
parts Of which life is made. No charac-
ter however distinguished became SO ut
once; progress WAS gradual from one
step to another; nor does that distn-
ouished individual live who is not capa-
Die OF improvement, and is DESTROYS Of it
in proportion to his greatness. Mark
the course Of the individual who is IS
piring for higher attainmonts, and could
you enter the sanctum Of his meditations
you would find him carefully coming
the past; stunning the follies, and i'm
proving the blessings which he has eXpe-
r;eucod, thus preparing from the frag-
ments Of the past something useful for the
future. If we are able to profit ourselves
by retrospection, the good we obtain can
not be enjoyed alone, however selfish we
may be, as we impart to othors the H.
fiuence we feel.
How careful then ought wo to be Of
our example before the young, for be as
sureJ that the after life Of children is, to
q great extent, made up Of ideas gained
in childhood; nor can we defer the peri
cd of their thoughts to a prescribed age,
and in just the proportion as they are
trained 10 think of the things which per-
tain to their usefulness and happiness,
will they progress in both. Teach the
child that his acts arc only trifes and Of
but little consequence, so he be not an
noying to any one, and you will regret
the error when in aftor life, you look for
him to assume responsibilities which bis
position demands and find him totally I'M
prepared for his duties, having robbed the
world of his talents by neglect, and him
self of the enjoyment of those things to
which wo all turn for happiness.
No act of life is without its influence,
and none so trihing as not to furnish sub
ject for retrospection, particularly the IN
fluences we exert upon the minds of the
young, rs they will live long after We are
departed, and tell on minds yet to be-
How cheering will be the closing scene
of earth, to him who can recall on y well
meant endeavors TO accomplish the great
est good for the greatest number of bis
fellow men, however far he may have
como short of it.