Ellsworth American., 1874-07-23
Cheerfulness.

3 pANSS viz tiou-utS VI OtutlS
the use of his alphabet.
Cheerfulness.
There are none who can thouphtfully
Observe society without noticing how
po,ent benetactor is cheerfulness. As
the rays OF the sun penetrate darkness,
dispci gloom, chase away the vapors of
night and purify the air, warming aud
anlmating every separate existence and
giaddening the whole face Of the earth
50 cheeriuncss comes like bright spir-
II, clearing away the vapors OF dscon-
tent, purifying the moral atmosphere,
penetrating every heart with synpa-
thetic gladness and spreading its happy
influence with beautiful liberaltv The
question may well be asked, it its effects
are - benign, why Is it so rare bless
ing! IL Is capable Of shedding 50 much
happiness, why does it not overflow
from every heart and beam in every
lace! IL all recognize il as a universal
good. why do not all strive TO acq lire it,
that they may enjoy it themselves an.
I dispense II TO others!
/ thceriulneSs, 10 great degree, i. a
constitutional matter. Some men are
naturally sanguine, hopeful and light
hearted. Their blood circulates freely,
their pulses beat regularly and their
spirits have m elasticity that causes them
70 rebound from pressure. The bright
side oi life naturally presents itself to
/ their minds, and they naturally present
( 1t to Others in their enliveniug presence,
/ good humor, ready smile aud quick sym
I pathy. Others OF AN opposite tempera-
Z =
/ heavily upon them. They are full of
trouble and anxiety. They hope little
aud lear much. They enjoy little aud
suffer much. Their presence j. per-
I pctna. shadow, hiding all the sunlight
.oi hope and JOY. and casting a gloom
wherever it enters. Between these two
extremes OF temperament there are all
degrees, tcuding TO either side.
We do not believe in mcekly resign
ing ourselvc, 10 our constitutional tend
cncics, and quietl. drifting in whatever
direction they may carry u. Rather
should We study their bearings, aud
when we behold danger ahead maufully
>icaI tho current nnI ste"r tor y ,ati.r
lty OF mind or heart produces universal
happiness, new revelation OF dutv and
responsibility has dawned upon u,. To
cultivate checriulness. then, become,
duty which appeals 10 all.
but how i II To be done? To fei0u a
chccrinIne.s that we do not feel 10 pre-
tend, Ilghthenrtedness when really heavy
ana care worn, would be "A mere inslu-
cclliy thar would avail nothing The I
oAsl' oi cheerful dcmeanor j. undoubt /
cdly cheerful spirit, and although by 4
no cEprt OF the will can we produce this /
wheie 1t i lacking, there are certain 4
iheu'al and moral habits, which, it We /
cultivate them, Will do much towards
chctIe1Ins and strengthening it.
" tmay, ~ the first place, rcsolutcly
contemplate the bright portions OF lite
~ Eehfdi, anu ol our own particular
circumstances. There is nothing more
dcp-esing to the mind than to allow il
% dw.ll continually on painful subjects.
lht ec that always looks upon black
suuaes Will soon lose its brillauce.
There Is habit Of brooding over truub-
les AM anXictics that weukens the mind
ald rOs IL OF the courage necessary To
tear hem manlully. Every lie ha, its
nl8h SIDE, and he who most, t,pcrsi,tcnt-
II cqtcnplatc, II, with thankful
lelrt, : thereby cultiyating cheerful
'pirlt. There Is something. too, In hay
M phsant surroundings Every one
whO liarra-sed bv numerous pcttv |
details perpIcXed by difficulties he can
not soc or overloaded with work he
cdnnobcrlorn, knows how ditiicult II
i TO uintain cheeriulness under such
clrcuntanccs. Yet 10 often they arc
the reut Of an Overwccning ambition.
which gasps at what is beyond the :
reachad has to pay the penalty in q,
! JadedtC and iretful dispo sition.
| oysleIand order, the proper division of '
| labor, ld the curtailment of business
or carSith reasonable limits, will do Il
much correct this evil. Hours for L
c6mpl' relaxation should be set aside: {
enllveng society and amusements I
shoulde encouraged; and the mind a
thus reved and refreshed, will uncon- a
sclousrct..ct tIIe cheerin. beams that u
have Ia cast upon it. A tasteful and II
well-o,red home has very much to do d
with cheerluness of its inmates b
Rich gorgeous apartments are not
necessr for this indeed, some of the e
most 'omy rooms ever entered are u
filled n costly and heavy furniture u
not me, Tor use. 1t is the bright, CHEEKY "
aud holike appearance OF some apart -
inents Is so attractive and seems to =
chase ay many of the shadows that
| Wouiu ierWlse Qarken them.
Aboall, however, the habit of svm.
pathy he best promoter of cheerful
ness. lfishness and gloom ever 90 -
hand land. He whose heart is fixed SC
on sel interests-whose ewes are te
turnedvard, and whose thoughts are th
centerepOn getting much, and giving Sc
little, never wear a downward look OF
and oacted brow. He shuts him. tn
sell awrom the light Of human broth. g
erhoodl the warmth OF human affec- q
ton, agrows dark and cold. His L
disappnents are more bitter than &c
those oiers-for no one shares them; to
his sucos afford him less pleasure A
Tor no oejoices with him. The ben th
evolert N, on the contrary, whose OF
sympathre deep and warm, who de- W
lights illnoting happiness and sooth- IN
ing sorrqvhose heart beats in quick til
} responsible joys or woes OF his fel- an
low mefll have within him a fount- th
ain OF chllness, from which all NAV sa
draw. one is habitually cheer an
less and ess, he may be very sure tn
that somtg within or around him bu
is wrongh needs correction. Let tn
him exarhis life and character, and tn
80 puriiyr springs that he NAV be We
enabled I'D abroad upon the world ho
| The sweet refreshing influence that tn
can only late from cheerful spirit. I'M
: = ZEE. II
r A painious sea-captain, answer ch
A f4mt int, L.