Smyrna times., 1875-05-12
DiscOuraging Influences.

Among the many influences which we are
constantly cXerting, there is scarcely one
more potent than the words of cncouracc-
mcnt or discouragement with which we
greet each other. There are few who tho.
roughly appreciate how largely all human
lIte Is affected in this way: how much of its
value may he traced to the cordial, genial.
CHEEKY Influences of friendly sympathy, or
how much of its failure, bitterness and
despair has been caused by the chilling and
dlShcart'nln% words of gloomy and distrlst-
tul people. There is not one of us inner.
vlouS to This influence. Some. ofcoursc. are
less easily dauntcd and DISCOURAGED than
others, but no one has such strong individu-
allty and such indomitable energy. that his
enthusiasm and ardor cannot be cooled bv
dlNtrust and cynicism. The young arepecu-
llarly susceptible to such an influence. Tbcir
abilities as yet improved. their bowers nm.
'rlcd' Their characters and regulations un.
formed. It Is not surprising that they should
relax their efforts and despair of success
when those whose age and experience are
superior assure them 10y word and manner
that they need never expect to accomplish
anything worthy of high cndcavor.
There ar" some persons who seem to have
a special talent in this direction. Tnon
noticing the awkward efforts of a child in
some eager pursuit, or of novice in some
art the words, ''oh! you can never do that
tall almost unconsciotl>ly from their lips
'M witnessing the bright authorizations of
Joyous youth, they hasten to assure him that
lie Is far from what he imasincs it to be.
that disappointment and trouble, failure
and gri't await him in the future. and that
the sooner he accepts the truth of their
gloomy iorcbodimgs the less bitter will be
ms awakening from the decisive dream.
When they see enthusiasm in any enter.
prise, they feel called upon to reprcss it
when thry meet with intense carncstuc.s
they feel b"und to moderate it; when they
witness til" light and elastic step of hone
and JOY, they Immediately strive to clog il
with som" heavy weight of dark foreboding
70 the healthy they talk of sickness; to
the sick they prophcsy death; to the Young
they speak Of age and infrmity: to friend.
and lovers they whisper Of csuungclncnt
and separation. Their peculiar mission in |
the world seems to be to change faith into
diStruSt. hope into fear, joy into gloom,
energy into weakness, and all these into
despair.
1t might seem that only malice could pour
such bitter drops into the cup Of life, but
tins Is not 50. Often parents. who truly love
their children and desire their welfare.
exert this depressing Influence over them
and employers, whose every interest is in.
t"rw"v"n with the hopeful energy Of their
employees, will yet continually chill and
diminish it hy dShcartcning remarks. Iv
"nm"rltod blame, by supprcssmg all an.
I"aran"rs Of cratticatiom at their most
strenuous and successful cndcavors C,r.
taIhIy such persons have no desire. or in
t'nt"n OF doing that which they are vet
most eilcctually accomplishing, that is.
'i"rk"h!ng the springs of effort and cuttino
at til" root Of all motive bower. They
rather imagine that they are cnEorciup n
wh"I's"n" truth, or dissipating hllrtful
IeIu,l"n, or giving tlucr views of Ifc's
realities. They themselves entertain these
gloomy opinions, their hopes are faded.
their energies relaxed, their disposition per,
maps sourcd by disappointment. and it
therefor" seems to them n kindness to prc.
pare all others for the same experience
Let such pause before they commit this
'roSs injustice. Life is plant which Yields
both roses and thorns, but who would wish
% let his thoughts become so absorbed in
he thorn that he could neither behold tn. ,
'cautl"s nor inhale the fragrance of tLo ,
'osc? 1t is true that, I
Into each life some drops must fall ,
Some days must be dark and lreorv;"
mt he who to the full enjoys and apprc. {
Iat"N the bright weather of his existence !
by sad and gloomy forebodincs. ,
generally the best fitted to bear the rainy +
lays when they come. Certainly it is. at f
east, that nothing is more weakcninc to !
ii human vitality, more subvcrsive Of all /
ucccsSful cndcavor, and more destructive !
0 all happiness than these chilling and n
depressing influences.
The worst result of this discouragcmont =
:, however, its pcrniciOus effect unon L
""'"ctFr. 1t comes like chilling wind +
lasting newly formed resolutions and min. -
ing the young and tender shoots Of virtuons y
ndr"yor Many one, sincerely striving il
0 resign favoritc folly, to overcome had ;,
lablt, or to cultivate lacking virtue. has i,
cit ms mortal power scnsibly diminish nm.
Ter the poisonous influences of harsh ro .
luke, a gloomy forcboding, a covert insinuo. :;
ion that his efforts are useless On tbo :,
thcr hand how many resolutions have boo, =
trengthencd, how many hopes inspired E
low many principles established, how monv .
efeats redeemed, how many aspirations o
uickened by the friendly words of sym. 81
'athy and good checrl 1t is woIl.known h
hat when sick person is thoroughly con. d