The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-04-15
The Happiest Period Of Life.

III We may peiieVe tne TepteScn1'o"S "
nearly every one who has discussed tho sub
jcct, the h.ppiest period Of human life Is either
one which h past, or one which Is to come
Adults speak Of their childhood with regret for
the delights they then felt, but o,n feel no more,
while children are impatient for adult age to
arrive. that thsy may taste pleasure denied
thsn bssAnss ,thsy srs' ehildrss. RTnis end
experiences which. when wssre passing through
them, excite no special remark. or arc perhaps
irksome. become when they are remembered, /,
the brightest spots in our history. We arc con-
stantly schcming and toling Er things which
We have not, and which VIC e,rnestly desire,
with the full conviction that when We attain
them our satisfaction will be complete, and We
arc As often disappointed. Even the pious
Christian Is sustained amid the troubles Of his
earthly career by the hope that when Il Is end
ed, he shall be rewarded by bliss Of which be
knows only that II lies In the future, and ex-
ceeis all that he has before felt Or imagined.
The greatestmischief arising from this almost
universal depreciation Of the happiness that lies
within our reach, Is not merely the wicked dis
content with Divine Povidenoe which II evinses
and strengthens, nor the moro immediate loss
to ourselvcs Of the enjoyment We might derive
from lifsif We were but wise enough to do %.
These are indeed serious evils, and merit all
tho condemnation which moralists have pro
nounced upon them. The persistent regret for
tho past, and dreaming ofthe future, Is vice
which should be shunned. both Is sinful to-
wsris the Lord and detrimental 10 ourselves.
But, beyond this, tho habit Of pcrpetually look
ing for happiness elsewhere than In the immcd-
late circumstances In which We are placed, BE-
gets, at length.s doubt that happiness Is at
tainable at all. Frequent d,sappointments lead
to q suspicion more or les strong thst We sha u
continue to be disappointed forever, and thus, at
length, even the pleasure Of anticipation Per.
ishcs, and life becomes dreary blank.
Religion; no less than morality and philcso-
ply, demands that we should learn 10 look up
on each moment a. Il passes - Tho hspp'est
period Of life. This Is the plain import ofths
teachings OF the Word. We are instructed "a.
pray. not for the return Of the past nor for the
Fastening Of the future, but for the supply Of
the immediate needs Of the present. Give ~
nI day our daily hrcad;' Sufficient unto
he day Is the evil thereof Take no thought
for tie morfor.' are familiar expressions Of
the divine law upon the subject. and forbid not
only fear and anxiety for the future, but also
the occupation ofthe thoughts with the future
to the detrfment Of the pursent. Events gone
by are fixed and irrevoc,ble, thoss to come are
In the hands Of the Lord alone; Il Il ours to
wisely improve such - Gall within our reach.
and extract from them al the happiness they
can be made to yield.
All this, however, has bern said over aud
over again many times, and the practical ques-
ton Is. admitting that We ought to bs happy.
now and neither regret the past nor dwell upon
the future. how shall We do III How shall We
prevent our thoughts form wandering from the
circumstances In which We actually 6nd OUT.
selves. to the memory Of former joys and the
bright prospects with which hope delude the
imsginatioui ..fr
The dlsmi.siny from the mind otsll anticips-
tons ofhsppine.i 20 oome Is . comparatively
easy task. No mortal can foresee The future,
and u requires but slight edort oftbe win 10