Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-02-07
MAKING BEAUTIFUL YEARS.

w netner the conVenpldGlon VI Gnls lacV
makes US sad or not depends upon how
we arc living them. Certainly they are
carrying away beyond our reach many |
precious opportunities. If we have i'm
proved them as they came to our hands, |
we need not grieye that they are gone.
Years well spent ought not be mourned |
as lost. They are treasures laid up
where we shall find them again. But
if we have let them pass without accept
ing the blessings they bore to us from
heaven; without taking up with brave
and manly hearts the duties to which
they called us; without grasping the
opportunities of service which they held
out to US in passing; we'll may we
mourn the swift lapse of these golden
years. Wasted years are dread wit
nesses to have left behind to stand
against US in the judgment.
The way to live SO that each year
shall be sweet memory and a treasure
of blessing laid up is quietly to do each
days work as it comes to our hands.
No violent. overstraiued exertions are
necessary, no superhuman efforts and
achievements nothing but simple duty
well and faithfully done. "
Neither is it necessary to do great
things. The most of US must be con-
tent to live commonplace lives. without
attracting the attention of the world or
winning distinction or fame. We must,
for the most part, devote ourselves to
the duties that spring out Of our ordi-
nary business, social and domestic rela-
tions. The pressure of life's necessities
is SO great that we can scarcely ever
turn aside to do things that lie outside
of our common calling. Whatever SER
vice we render to Christ must be along
the line of these relations. and while
busted in the imperative duties which
they every day bring to our hands.
Yet we greatly mistake if we think
that there is no opportunity for such
lives to make their years beautiful and
to fill them with acceptable Christian
service In these ordinary relations of
the most commonplace life there is
abundant room not only for duty. but
for heroism. No ministry is more pleas
| ing to the Master than that of cheerful
and hearty falthfulness to lowly duty.
when there is no pen to write its his
tory and no voice to proclaim its praise.
To be good husband, loving, tender,
unsel6sh, and cherishing, or good
wife. thoughtful, helpful. uDeomp!ain-
ing and inspiring, is most acceptable
service. To live well in ones place in
the world, adorning ones calling, how
ever lowly. doing ones most prosaic
work diligently and honestly. and dwell
| ing in love and ubselfshness with all
/ men. is to live grandly. One who fights
/ we'll the battle with his own lusts and
tempers, in the midst of the countless
temptations and provocations of every
day life is Christian hero.
Thus there is not one, however oh
scure the life and commonplace its du
ties, to whom the opportunity is no
given to make his years beautiful a
4 they pass. "She has done what sh,
COULD was one of the sweetest com
Z mendations ever uttered by the Master
p An angel could do no more. God i
very patient with us. He knowetl
our frame; he remembereth that we ar
dust" He asks no lmpossibilities. HI
looks with divine leniency upon ou
faulty living. and when he sees that W
have done our best, though. our bes
may be very poor and imperfect, h
does not chide, but commends and sweet
ly teaches us how to do better.
4 There is no need for discouragement
therefore, as we see the years slippinI
away,
II Like leaf on the current cast,
| WA. IL IA a
: We have only to take them as the
come to us day by day. hour by hour
! moment by moment, and do with quie
faithfulness each daty they present
3 bear with songful heart each burden
E fight with heroic spirit each battle, an
and endure with unwearying patienc
e and unmurmuring acquiescence eac
sorrow and pain. - e i-as31 9-l
q There is one thing. however, to be r,
r membered. and the opening days Of th
year bring it to mind. Opportunitie
do not come a second time. nor do the
1 abide our leisure. The years come bt
once to US and swiftly pass away, bea
the ineffaceable records we have pu
i upon them. 'aa mi5 as4a safi5 t.a
4 If we make them beautiful years, v
must do it moment by moment. as the
glide before us. When the last houI
come it will be too late to revise lir
. we have written. roe
So we must learn to write upon eac
P hour as it passes some radiant sentent
# that will never shame us, but shine fl
ever in beauty. fae taa @sI
..Josh Billings has published
ssCook Rook and Pictorial provorhsD .