The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-09-03
HAPPINESS.

sists in a great measure, in the enjoy
ment Of the present moment, if we will
appreciate it, with all Of its pleasures
and surroundings but how prone we
are to let it hastily and carelessly pass
by, just partially slipping its sweets and
pleasures, reserving the fullest and
greatest enjoyment for tomorrow;
which seldom comes. And this is why
our anticipations SO frequently SO far
exceed our realizations in richness Of
pleasure and happiness in this life. 1t is
always with us, tomorrow, we intend to
do so-and-so, and then we shall be so
happy; but when that expected hour
has arrived, perhaps bitter disappoint-
ment meets us instead of the looked-for
pleasure. How often it is so. We are ex-
pecting to greet dear and much-loyed
friends tomorrow, that perhaps we have
not seen for years; the heart is exultant
with joy and untold happiness. The
time is passing so heavily or slowly to-
day, and we are SO eagerly wishing and
longing for tomorrow, when we shall
see those happy faces and dear forms of
fondly cherished friends. Alas To
morrow arrives, and with it what sad
words fall upon the ears. Another hor-
rible accident. Our friends are wounded
or dying; perhaps dead. Crushed are
all of those dear hopes, which we have
50 lovingly cherished. Such is this life;
its sorrows and disappointments far out
balance its pleasures, many times. The
pleasures Of life are heeting, but its sor-
rows are lasting, not easily banished-
they leave an impression on the heart,
as if they were photographed there.
Happiness, like the will-o'- -the-wisp,
seems ever to be in the misty future, lur-
ingus on, and the hearts, always yearning
for something just beyond its reach /; q
craving that seems to refuse to be salts
fed with the present. To bring our
minds to feel that to-day is all and even
more than we have an assurance Of
should be our aim, and with that to en-
deayor to do in our power to improve
it, by wishing to make all around us
happy in every respect, and in so doing
we shall not fail to be happy ourselves.
This will constitute present happiness.
How many things are constantly oc-
curing to take people from this world to
another, in very short space of time,
without even the slightest warning. We
know this, for we see and hear it every
day. Our time may come when we
least expect it, like thief in the night.
Are we making proper preparations for
this great event, by improving the pres
ent moment to the best of our ability?
Life is full of bitter sorrows and keen
disappointments. Tomorrow so often
fails to bring with it lis rich freight Of
treasures, and gilded happiness. The
lofty castles that have been so magnif-
Gently reared, and so luxuriously ap-
pointed, by hope and fond expectation
for tomorrow, are but mere novels,
bleak and barren, drear and desolate
or they are shorn of more than half their
expected brilliancy to-day. Life is but
a dream Of tomorrow, but when it is TO-
day we have to awake from our slumber,
and, 10 ] the vision of life is reality,
shorn Of many of its looked-for beauties
and pleasures. We are dissatisfied with
the bringings Of to-day, and again we
cast our minds eye to the unseen and
unknown future of this world: Far bet,
ter will it be for us If our future antici-
pations are placed ON heavenly home,
where there are no more heart-sorrows,
no tears to be wiped from our eyes, nc
more chickering's, nor more backbitings
and slanderoustongues, no bitter frowns
no cruel, taunting words, no unlzind
acts, no false friends all shall be pure
molly love there, with free communion
q kindred spirits, happy forever more
II IS but short distance from us all
soon we shall arrive at that last great
station, when the journey Of life shal
nave been terminated with us, and W.
shall be called upon to give an accoun
q the time that has been given ms here
as well aa the talents, and also the dis
posal that we have made of them. Eacl
one OF us must pass through that tryinI
ordeal for themselves. 1t is in vain 70
us to think Of substitute. As we ar
porn, so We must die, and after ths
comes the Judgment. This is YER
pam language that is taught to us.
Let us each day strive to do some u
ae act OF kindness, some deed of charit,
a cheerful word to some poor downcal
one' a few words Of sympathy for som
M EIaw n