The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-03-15
Cheerfulness.

and are more dependent ON the general
bearing Of those with whom we mingle
than we are apt 10 allow. We have all
felt the warming and enliyening influence
Of thoroughly genial soul, whose bright
face and cheery words throw rays Of sun
shine on all around and dispel without an
effort the shadows of depression and gloom
that may have existed before his approach.
The clouded brow clears the murmur Of
discomfort dies on the lip; the peeyish or
fretful word is reprcssed--eyen the spirit
that gave them birth is subdued, aud
general feeling of good humor and serenity
takes its place. On the other hand, the
effect OF one sour, morose and repining
spirit manifesting itself in the department
is no less obvious and powerful. Anima-
tion, gayety and glee fade away, the smile
dies ON the face, the spirits droop, conyer-
sation languishes, and general depression
takes place. If such are the results Of
single interview, how potent an influence
must the habitually cheerful, or the
persistently gloomy person exercise on all
with whom he is brought in contact. 1t
is almost impossible to calculate the amount
of joy or pain, of gladness or discomfort, Of
serenity or uneasiness that is thus inspired
by one person in the course of lifetime.
Especially is this the case in the family
circle, the members of which are so closely
associated, and come so continually under
the power Of each others magnetism.
One discontented, murmuring spirit, suf-
fered to exhibit itself in fretfulness, i'm
patience, or even in silent and mournful
detection, can poison the whole happiness
of domestic hearth, and drive its occu-
pants to seek their joys anywhere rather
than in their home. But one whose
blithe and buoyant step is ever welcome,
whose CHEEKY smile and sprightly voice
enliyen and attract whose sweet and genial
disposition spreads gladness over parent
and child, husband and wife, brother and
sister, may justly be called the light ofthe
dwelling, the sunshine Of the home.
If cheerfnluess is productive of so much
happiness, it becomes a matter Of import
ant inquiry whether it is possibility We
may attain, virtue We ought to cultivate,
an aim We ought to pursue or whether it
is simply the involuntary result Of state
of mind and circumstances over which we
have no control--the fruit Of birth, educa-
tion and events, which, if we possess, we
may indeed rejoice in, but if we lack we
can never supply. 1t is certain that it is
very largely a matter of constitution,
temperament and health. We cannot
abolish our inherited tendencies, or change
our natural temperament, but we may do
much to modify both We cannot at once
eradicate disease and build up vigorous
physique, but We can so study and obey
the laws of health as greatly to improve the
tone of the system. We cannot restore
our youth, with its ardent hopes, but we
can let our memories rest on the past hap
piness and good that We have known, and alb
stain from uselessly thinking on the evil and
the sorrowful- We ecannot dispose the events
of our life as we think would ensure our
happiness, but We can cherish faith and
trust in the infinite goodness that dceth all
things we'll
True cheerfulness contains an element
of Inconsistencies in it that constitutes
one of its chief attractions Why is il
that children are usually so cheerful? Is
it not because they are so unconscious Of
self? They do not pause to analyzc them
selves, still less to consider what impress
sion they are making they do not dwell
upon the dismal passages in their lives nor
indulge in selfpity. Whoever thinks
exclusively of himself cannot long remain
cheerful. There is no better way of
cherishing cheerful spirit than by forcing
our thoughts and sympathies away from
self, and fixing them on the interests of
Others. II istrue that We shall find enough
to awaken our sympathies in their trials,
but the effort to comfort Others reflects back
peace and serenity Of mind that can
never ensue from a persistent contcmpla-
tion Of our own troubles. II is true that
there are deep aud sacred gies which
cannot, during keen anguish Of heart,
assume the veil Of cheerfulness but at
such times solitude or the sympathy of
few tried friends should be sought, and the
private griefs Of the individual should not
be allowed to east gloom over those who
cannot appreciate or share them. Indeed,
it may be laid down as a general rule, that
when from any cause we find it itimpossible
to he cheerful, We should deny ourselves
the pleasure Of society and refrain from
injecting others with the gloom We cannot
banish from our own hearts. Some Of the
sweetest tempers, the most genial and
loving spirits, the most serene and cheer
fnl dispositions shine forth in those who
have passed through deep waters Of afiic-
tion and have come forth purified and
softened, having turned from the selfish
indulgence Of sorrow TO real interest in
and sympathy with others, both in their
joys and their suffering, their triumphs
and their failures Let us then strive to
develop the joys of humanity, to assuagc
its trials, to tighten its burdens and to
inspire it with new life and courage, BY
means not only Of cheerful dcmeanor,
but q cheerful spirit, which is the fruit Of
an unsel6sh, loving, trusting grateful heart.