Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-05-30
30Q9AT10 T10ll4a
Edited ny 4. s'IrH. Comfy superintendent.
Cheerfulness.

"A merry heart is n continual feast"
1t is quite fashionable to abuse this life,
by way of manfesting a strong desire to
enter upon the life to come. It is not un-
frequently regarded as clear proof Of
frivolous, if not wholly bad, state Of mind,
to be cheerful and sportivc. 1t is affirmed
that this world is vale Of tears, q
bowling wilderness, sin cursed state,
and we are taught to long for removal from
it, and to regard such longing as evidence
Of pious heart. Against this whole phil
osophy | must earnestly protest, for it
seems to me not only productive Of much
unhappinesS but also ungratetGI to Heaven:
instead OF showing piety, it seems to me
the most clear impiety De we show our
love for friend by depreciating the value
Of his gifts TO Us, by constantly finding
fault with his mode of expressing his IN
terest i'll u.s. If it be ingratitude to re.
quite the bcncicence Of an earthly friend
with complaining criticisms, is it gratitude
to murmur at the state in which our dear
est heavenly Friend has placed us, SO full
Of gifts and mercies that we cannot rightly
know how to enjoy them all? The com
monest comforts Of life, the fresh air, the
warm sunshine, the friends Of the orchard
and the harvcsts Of the field, are not these
good enough to make Us deeply thankful
and wisely glad And, then, the richer
gifts; friends who share our hearts affec-
tionS, doubling our joys and lessening our
griefs the means of intellectual culture,
schools, teachers, books, all science of earth,
and sea, and air, and sky; and above all,
and best Of all, those gifts of love and faith
which draw our souls away from the things
that perish with the using and kindle our
aspirations for whatsoever is pure and good
and true on earth and in heaven and the
unspeakable love which the Glad Tidings
of great joy reveal to man shall not the
thought Of all these make within us
hearty thankfulness, and cause US to be
glad in the conciousness Of being so tender
ly cared for and SO wisely loved
do not forget the countless annoyances
to which all are liable; the petty trials, the
needless vexations, to which the thought
lessness of others may often subject US
Nor do | overlook the weightier burdens
Of sorrow which frequently press all comfort
from the heart, the loss of some dear
friends, the wreck of others, and the self
consciousness of imperfection and sim
These are sad realities; but, in spite of
them all, the sun still shines benignantly
and the showers fall with blessing in their
drops, declaring in unmistakable language
the continued love which yet pervades the
universe and pours out lavish joys.
1t is easy to write thus and to feel thus
in the freshness and new life of Spring; it
seems easier now than at most other seas
ons, to believe in the wisdom and watchful
care Of Heaven, TO have a sunny heart and
cheerful countenance. But every other
season aids to make the Spring so welcome,
just as Spring and Summer combine to
crown Autumn with the golden haryests
and ripened fruit, and the marvellous beauty
Of the visionary tints the year puts on
when the magic wand of the frost waves