Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1870-12-28
Gentleness.

1t is rare to ind a person uniformly
! gentle, to whom the world does not as
cribe all other good qualities. Gentle
ness is, in itself, such a recommended
/ tiOn, that it is a marvel the virtue is not
cultivated from self interest-if a sense
/ of duty, and the prOmptings of religion.
] be not sufficient to make the practice of
! it observed. The influence Of a person
habitUally gentle is felt all around, like
the SUMS rays which clear the atmOs-
phere by dissipating nOxiOus vapOrs,
and impaTt life and genial warmth to
objects that have languished and be-
come shriveled up under the influence
of clouds and chilling winds. The
whole face of nature seems transformed
when the sun bursts forth and gloom de-
parts. Thus, a gentle disposition, ap-
pearing morOsO and gloomy natures, re-
fleets something Ofits own serenity and
brightness; others seem to partake of
that inward tranquility which it pro-
notes, and, for the time, to shake off
the mantle of surliness, opposition, or
harshness, in which too many allow
themselves to be wrapped.
A person of unfailing gentleness Of
manners, benighty, and cheerfulness,
will disarm the ill-dispOsed, and melt,
in many cases, those stubborn natures
upon which harshness has only the ef-
feet of confirming in opposition. Gen
tleness .persuades when fOrcible argu-
ments fail; hearts are won by the soft
word and pleasing manner, where Sc
verify and jarTing tones would create
only enemies. The reveTses of the gen.
tie are sure to be regretted; his prOsperi-
ty is viewed without envy, and his fail
ings are easily forgiven.
L
against outward annoyanees. A mind
that is calm and serene beholds every
thing in the most favorable light. and.
like a smooth stream, reflects every OBJ
ject in its just proportion and fairest
cOlOTs. A spirit always in agitation,
communicates something of its turbu-
lence to those with whom it comes in
contact, and is q disturbing element in
whatever society it may be thrown.
A nature always ready to pick flaws
sees everything in q distorted form,
finding nothing pleasant or agreeable,
and considering it personal insult that
others, more amiably disposed, should
be happy and eOntented under the same
circumstances that render itself so mis-
cradle. MisinteTpTeting-tOO often,
alas MiSillterpretiBg act and
word of companions and acquaintance,
repeating remarks, trivial in themselves
but receiving importance from signif-
cent shFugs and dubious tones, and the
substitution of more fOrcible words,
thus showing the seeds of diseOrd, even
ing long united friends, is but one Of the
many miseries an il-natured person,
perhaps almost insensibly to himself
falls into. He feels illy-disposed toward
the whole world, and prOpOrtiOnatly
dissatisfied with himself, q state Ofmind
exhibited in every line of the cOunte-
nance; gum looks, impatient motions,
and snubbing words, are freely bestOw-
ed, causing the recipients to shrink and
retreat as from pOTcupine, whose pen
etrating quilts are thrown in all direc-
tiOns. But, even upon such a nature,
person of well-knOwn, uniform gentle
ness will exert a beneficial influence,
and though inwardly distressed at the
black looks and snubs direct, will, by
Quiet and gentle tones, sOOthe the ruff
fed spirit, and call up a blush of shame
to the cheek that is wont to color only
in anger. Since gentleness is so univer-
sally loved, so much admired, why is il
not more generally cultivated -? Since
so much is to be gained by its practice,
why do we not find more of it in
world ever ready to assume even the
most austere virtues 70 obtain selfish
ends.-LeisJre Hours.