The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-09-18
The MOuntaineer's Advice.

A LADY unused to the rough travel
ing of mountain land went thither to
make her home, and received from one
of her new friends this bit of advice.
She had been telling of her faintness
when guiding her horse through a deep
ford where the waters ran swiftly and
the roar was incessant, and said she
feared she would never be able to over
come the abject physical terror which
dominated her whenever she found her.
self In the strong current midway be-
tween the banks.
''Oh! yes, you will, )" said her compan-
ion. ''Just take leaf in your mouth
and chew it, and as you ride across,
keep your eyes on the other side"
When | heard this, l thought there
was lesson in it for myself and per-
haps for others. The leaf in the mouth,
a simple thing and at first glance I'M
necessary, nevertheless had meaning,
and | soon discerned Occupation,
diversion for the mind from an unreal
soning fear, something to attract atten-
ton from fright and peril half uncon-
sciously. The look over and beyond
the flood was emblematic of the power
of faith, which enables us to go forward
no matter how environed with difficult
ties, because we are not dwelling so
much on the present distress as on the
Joy that is set before us.
How often we are encompassed, beset
and thoroughly perplexed by the con-
trary circumstances of our lives! Going
up stream is hard work when every
thing about is combining to drag us
down. You are young Christian, and
have resolved by the help of your Di-
vine Savior to live singly and consist
emily for Him. But your home in
tiuences tend to worldliness, to money
making, to securing social position, or
to stepping higher in the sight of men.
They who love you most tenderly set
stumbling-blocks in your path, and your
household affections strive against your
spirituality. Do not grieve about it.
Take the leaf in your mouth. 1t may
be the leaf of Bible study. A sweet
verse in the morning, read, thought
over and assimilated, is a wonderful on
ward helper. 1t may be the leaf of I'M
obtrusive humility, for you are tempted
to pride and Pharisaism more than you
are aware. 1t may be the leaf of gentle
effort for the Master. in the flower
mission, in the invalid's chamber, in
the daily homely homework, or in the
Sunday-school. Take the leaf, and re-
member to keep your eyes on the other
side-the bright side-where the day
dawns and the shadows flee away. You
are the head of family, or you are a
man in place of responsibility, with
others depending on you for direction.
You cannot swerve by hairs breadth
from your integrity without doing ire
parable injury to many interests.
Sometimes you.are pressed and pulled
and harassed in ways which nobody
suspects. Neither your wife nor your
business partner nor the people you
meet as you go to and fro, your pastor
nor your intimate friend, suspects the
peril you are facing. 1t turns you
giddy and sick, but they go gayly on,
for your mountain torrent is to them as
silvern brook in green pasture. Do
not despair. Take the leaf in your
mouth, the leaf of prevailing prayer,
the leaf of stubborn honesty or the leaf
OF brave self-assertion, and look, till
your weary eyes grow clear and your
feeble heart grows confident, to the
other side where all is peace and safety.
We ford the most dangerous places in
life alone. Others may be near us, but
there is solitude sometimes in the
midst of company. None of us, how
ever easily and tremendously adjusted
in our various relations, can be assured
that the ease will continue. We may
yet have to dwell among the rocks, and
hear the cataracts but little way off.
Let us heed the advice of the noun
taineer.--MrS. NJ b. Sangster, IN
Christian I'atelligencer.