The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-04-22
LIES Common Blessings.
BY CORA WILBURN.

How little we appreciate our choicest
blessings, chiefly because they are so
common. Only when the fierce storms
veil the glowing face Of day, do we
sigh for the remembered sunshine we
forget the thanktulness that should be
the daily tribute rendered to the allwise
and impartial creator. Only when the
long continued drought parches the
green fields. and seals to silence the
lesping brooks, the generously flowing
streams, do we think of the clear,
sparkling water with an almost home
sick longing. When sickness pros
trates, We turn to sweetest recolec-
tons Of blue and golden skies, Of fra
grant blossoms of the inviting rest at
eventide the joyous impulse to labor
III the early morn. What sense OF
freedom was in the bracing air what
inspirations of thought came with the
glowing summer noon! what creative
faculties seemed to rouse from their re-
pose, at some free wild bidding Of Ma
ture, in her Sabbath haunts The
human heart, too often, must be wound
ed in order to feel deeply it must suff.
er that it may learn to be grateful /;
must endure much to become awakened
to the beautiful and divine infue noes
that surround the daily life.
We must tread upon the thorns to
know the fullest sweetness Of the roses.
We must linger in the shadows, that
we may long for the sunshine we once
dwelt in so thanklessly. Only the
deeply stricken soul can harbor the
most lasting joy. Only the prison-like
loneliness Of the heart and mind, can
fully reveal the benefcent soothiEgs Of
love and friendship, the dear delights
Of cOngenial companionship.
We are too apt to look upon those
who enjoy ease from toll and pecuniary
cases, with an eye of discomfort at our
own far differing and humble lot. We
look only on the external, that is so
bright and gay, SO richly apparelled, so
daintily surrounded But we do not
fathom the hidden recesses of the inner.
most. Gnawing and bitter cares may
entwine with the golden letters; cruel,
haunting thoughts poison the flavor of
the delicious viands dlstracting memo
ries, and fearful apprehensious Danish
sleep from the silken couch Of luxury
Were we to change places with those
we envy for the moment we should
soon pray to be delivered from the liv-
ing death we have chosen and gladly,
exultiugly, would we return to the daily
labor, the simple fare the home de
void Of Injuries, where peace of mind,
freedom, health, and kindred hearts
await US.
Ours are the common blessings that
are life's greatest 1t depends on the
degree Of receptivity within, the degree
of culture that is not dependent upon
the schools, whether we can enjoy these
blessings to their fullest extent. If there
is benevOlence, world wide as is Gods
love, in the heart Of the working man
and women if there is the childlike
trust that ever relies upon the Intimate !;
the hope that ever actively strives for
the best that one will bask in the
sunshine that descor1s unon US : and
just in due propOI,l1u tJ us or her I'M
derstanding Of its bene6cent and vivify-
ing power, will the home be frightened;
and the sunshine of a loving and crate
full spirit shed its influence abroad.
As We aspire, 20 more or less shall
we become. The love of Nature is
elevating, and her answering delights
are jnexhaustible. She speaks at all
seasons to the ear attuned to her
changeful voices, to the eye that seeks
her myriad treasures, and finds them,
everywhere. All her pleasures grow by
repetition there is no false allurement
in her joys no disenchantment is posi-
bic i'll her universal realm. The true,
simple lives are the nearest to her teach
ing and healing ministrations. And
he who liz es in intimate and cheerful
communion with Nature, is filed with
true religion, whatever his denomina-
tional bias. For Nature ever was, and
is handmade and Interpreter of the
Lord.
When the combined efforts Of the