The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-14
Why We are not Hanrr

II the question should be seroux,r
Of the multl'udes to whom life Yields y y;, asked
no enjoyments-' Why are YOU NJ, l''tItN
numberIess reasons would be at oora Sppy"
ced, to paIIia'e the sin Of which an ANY, so ap'aa'
Conscience must assure them that thr 's'ass
guilty. Not that lie has no sorrova ''ey are
and terrible as to almost oyersb.dnw '0 ua'k
beauty and sunlight. We wonder n es'a'
crushed and bleeding hearts hail e,a wv y ''a
flight as an advancing step towards ,aa u'!y'
Of the better land. The victims Of t t4s 0Is
rlblc ordeas are exempt from remark l nS 'V'
sure; unhapplness is the natural re ~, vsa,
their condition. Not SO with these IN h,' ~, OF
sorrow is the product Of an imagirat;"n ""Sa
restless, ever busy, creating pumb nh s's'
schemes OF seli-interes;, Or brood,nr ,rs s''VS
pending evils, which, although t6ev s,, "l'
not, are formidable even in anticipation '''
Unhapplness proceeds from many dj4o,,
sources, but perhaps more productive Of ,l;'
feeling than all Others comblncd is the do,-' '
to obtain wcaIth-not always for the s,ts
merely Of possessing gold, but as steon,na
stone to ease, luxury, and social positdn
When viewed from altar, The iDspd ,oun,.
OF fashionable life is invested with 50 mnc,
witchery that thousands who Should bu,b e.,
very shame at their sin aud folly, are avs,
signing to realize its brilliant pleasures #
this objectionable waste of time were dpvo.oJ
to mental and moral culture, nov much hir.
er hi hit they rise III the scale Of being 16.O
the mere fashionable butterfly, i'll whose vo.
ship they sacrifice joy, peace, and innocence
Another excuse for the little amount If on
joyment which we allow ourselves is cxnrpS
sed IL these words-want Of appreciation
1t is true that the nobest minds are o,tm
scorned by the selfish and ignorant but, han.
pity, these classes are not the Representatives
OF society. The rule may admit exceptions
but it is usually true that We make ourse,ye,
estimated at our proper value Il, then, We
occupy only an humble position, it is bu,
wise TO discover the fault :" Not in cur stars,
but III ourselves that We are undcrIings.n 4
large class OF persons imagine themselves
especial marks tor the Sings and arrows Of
outrageous fortune ) hence the oft lepeaeI
complaints; "Our dearest hopes nave ended
IN dIsappointmen's, our joy been shadoasi
By approaching sorrows, our ties Of love
rudeiy severed, and our whole lives the sport
OF some iorm of eyll''---assertions bearing the
stamp Of direct ialsehool ard Insult. Ii can.
not be that this vas the purpose torwhich our
beng was granted. 1t cannot be that We
were called into life in the midst OF 50 much
love, JOY, and beauty, merely to produce dis.
cord IN the prevailing harmony. The design
OF our creation was worthy the love and in.
tcrest of Heaven, aud it may be regarded as
no more cupab!e to thwart it by crime and
evi! passions, than by continual mourning
over trihing misiortuncs. Is it SAID " We can
not be happy because We are the victims Of
disease and suffering, or because death has
withered the blossom Of our homes, or strich.
en- down the prop of our declining years p
Even then there is much of joy and consOa'
ton remaining. Look abroad upon the beau
teous temple which God has fitted up for our
dwelling, ana ask yourselves II your sorrows
are sufficient 20 darkcn its azure skies and gol'
den suubeams? Can the gentle zephyr, the
sweet breath OF flowers, and the melody Of
nature, impart no balm to the suffering? and
can the bereaved heart deplore forever It's
withered blossoms. in the midst OF so many
types of Immortality?
When we have become really acquainted
with the true object Of life, the energies ex'
hausted in the vain pursuit Of something Bet
ter, will be devoted to the enjoyment Of what
ever good the present affords. Reason un'
aided, cannot impart the lesson we require,
Tor above her voice rise those of pride and
selGshness. There is but one guide on which
we may rely as incorruptible, it is True Re-
igiop. NJ. A. H.