Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-03-29
REFLECTIONS, ON LIFE.
communicated.

Communicated.
The active mind OF man seldom or v
osts satisfied with its present condition.
hriqjnally formed for a wider range of OBJ
;Drts for a higher sphere of enjoyment, it
snds itself in every situation OF fortune
.,ra;tened and confined. Sensible of detici-
snrv in its state, it is ever sending forth the
fud desire, the aspiring wish, the suspicious
hone after an intangible something beyond
tbp JOYOUS present. Hence that restlessness
nhich prevails SO generally among man
Mind. Hence that disgust for pleasures al
,sdy tried; that passion for novelty !; that
ambitious soaring to degrees of eminence
Espd felicity, of which they have formed to
themselves an indistinct idea, all of which
bay be considered as indications of a certain
Original greatness in the human soul, swell
Hjuc beyond the limits of its present condi-
lion, and pointing at the higher objects for
Which it was created. Happy, if these la
ssent remains of our primitive state served to
Direct cur wishes toward their proper destin-
antion, and to lead us into the paths OF true
bliss. But in this dark and bewildered state,
the aspiring tendency Of our nature unfortu-
nately takes an opposite direction, and feeds
u misplaced ambition. The fattering ap-
~pearances which here present themselves to
sense, the distinctions which fortune and
bower confer, the advantages and pleasures
which we imagine the world to be capable
pf bestowing, I'LL up the ultimate wish of
most men. These are the objects which en-
gross their solitary musings and stimulate
their active labors, which warm the generous
IMPULSES of youth, animate the Industries of
mature years, and even fans into hope the
pickering lamp Of life which throws a delu-
sve lustre upon the fleeting moments of
Ndissolution.
Assuredly there is nothing unlawful in our
EFleslre to be freed from whatever is disagree
RaOle, and to obtain a fuller enjoyment of. the
~comforts Of life. But when these desires
sne not tempered by reason they are in dam
gsef OF precipitating us into much extrava-
sanee and folly. Desires and wishes are the
plfst springs of action when they become
EeAofoltant the whole character is likely to
oecome tainted. If we suffer our fancy to
Soaf away into the worlds of ideal Happiness
"e out Glscompose the peace and order Of
ou' hhhds, and foment many hurtful pas
Sous' Here, then, let moderation begin its
iesh, by bringing within reasonable bounds
'ne wishes that we form. As soon as they
''oome extravaganza, let us check them by
popef reflection on the tallacious nature of
'uose OBJECTS which the world hangs out to
allure desire. Let us not straw from the
4oau winch conducts to felicity, nor dishonor
ne native dignity of the. soul by allowing
a"af wishes to terminate on nothing higher
'Aah Tue standard which an avaricious and
au,eelhg world sets on ideas of greatness
- la' p ness. Your Imagination royes in
n'aho OF shadows, unreal forms deceive YOU.
~ no more than a phantom, an illusion of
ton. w. oiiu III !"
ooa Sn,"st De admitted that unmixed and
w,oliplete happiness is unknown on earth.
nro, oso'aaon Of conduct can altogether
'u' passions from disturbing our peace,