The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-08-30
SUNDAY READING.
Benefits Of Deprivation.

Il HE only had pine knot! !" said
i father of a not-over. book loving
son. Here is well-fled bookcase, ta-
ble piled with papers, bright light and
and an easy chair. How much does he
use them He needs pine knot and
log cabin to make man OF him. If he
had to walk two miles in the mud to
hunt definition in the dictionary, or
had access to one paper and that borrow
ed, he might have a fondness for read
ing"
Rather a sad view of the case, but
much truth in it..
The young lady who has to walk
mile to practice on hired piano, may
appreciate her privilege of learning at
all, while she who has every thing ready
to hand will very likely say,
" Must take lessons / just hate to
practice !"
And so deprivation is more desirable
than superfluity. The things we can
not get is what we most covet. Things
far-fetched, dearly bought or hardly
earned are priced most. How easily is
the child surfeited with toys If he
makes them or has but few, how he uses
them but give him several at once or
in close succession, and before night his
discomfort will express itself in whin-
ing,
Please hunt me something pretty ~
How true it is that not what we pos.
sess, but what we use and enjoy, bene-
fits and makes us happy
When we have done without an arti-
Gle until we have earned it, then we will
appreciate 1t. SO children, If they have
to help themselves to an education, will
improve their time and talents; and
those who start themselves in life and
make a fortune, are they who know
how to keep it. Perhaps there is no
greater calamity that can befall young
man, than to have every want anticipa-
ted and gratified from infancy to man.
hood. How can one amount to anything
with no necessity for developing his
powers2 Struggles strengthen the soul
and body. We sometimes waste pity
on poor families that have little visible
means of support, while we have to con-
fess that their children are fat, healthy
and happy. 1t is the very absence of
luxury, sweets and surfeiting that gives
them the advantage, and who would
not envy the keen relish with which
they partake of their frugal fare
Scarcity is often better than safety,
and the moderately poor enjoy their lit
tie, more than the rich their abundance.
Who is more miserable than he who has
nothing to wish for, whose every desire
is gratified?
II is the planning, and working, and
struggling, and hoping that gives zest to
life. One must have appetite, desire. -
Even in the Christian life, they that
hunger and thirst for righteousness
shall be filled. How intensely do we
enjoy Church privileges when we have
long been deprived Of them True, de-
| privation may result in disinclination
and perchanee, habit of indifference,
but when the heart is right, like David,
it 4" longeth, yea, even fainteth for the
courts of the Lord"
Doubtless there are degrees Of delight
in heaven. May not those be most hap
py there, whose earthly lot has been one
of destitution and deprivation, among
uncongenial and distasteful surround
ings; baptized with waters of sorrow ?
These are they which came out of great
tribulation. They shall hunger no more,
and God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes.
Eemalp Soniafv