Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-09-29
H0Ny tn Enjoy LIFE

Buoyant spirits and happy thoughts are
natural to the young, but youth does not
always last. In our early years we must
form those habits which will enable US to
enjoy to the full extent all the years that
God gives US. To that end let me give
you few simple rules.
/. Always be full of some earnest pur-
suit. I think even Sisyphus must have
been happier, perpetually rolling the same
stone up the same hill, than he could have
been age after age with nothing to do.
"Activity devoted to useful ends" is a
good definition of happiness. Babies and
kittens are happy without an aim in life,
but theirs is kind and degree of enjoy
ment which cannot possibly content strong
and growing minds.
2. If possible, never be behind in your
work. Perhaps you have heard the OLD
story of the sick boy, whose physician de-
work. impossible" said his mother.
HE is required to do nothing except to
bring in one bucket of water each day."
"When does he bring ?" said the doctor.
"We try" was the answer, ito have it
done in the morning, but he puts it off;
and though often reminded of it, he gen.
orally neglects it until we are obliged to
call him up again after he has gone to bed,
that he NAV bring it," "Ah," said the
doctor, "that explains it all. Make him
bring it early in the morning, and he will
get we'll" And he did. The work which
we neglect and carry on our consciences
wears US more than all that we do. Jo-
seph Cook once wrote in young girls
album, "Duty done is the SOULS fireside."
3. Form the habit of being thankful for
your blessings. This is the key to that
wonderful gift, contentment. There are
many people dressed in silks and sealskin,
and Shining with beautiful jewels, who
are covered with modification because
they are so lily clad, and full of anger to
think that better garments are not theirs;
while others, whose scanty clothing is
hardly decent or comfortable. Lave hearts
full of gratitude and JOY besides, thank
fulness, which binds as to other loving
hearts, is the sweetes, part of all good we
can get from our posse 'siOns.
These three things will do much to
make our lives happy. Let me make one
other suggestion. Take care that your
amusements are really re creation. They
must not be the business of life. When
amusement becomes our ci.:ef pursuit, 1t
soon pals on the taste. And when the
power of enjoyment is lost in this way it
is hard to recover. The power of recrea-
ton, like that of digestion, once impaired,
can only lie recovered with great difficult
ty and by long abstinence.
Neither should amusement he passion
with us. Play rests us. Passion is like
a fire which burns that on which it feeds,
and ever calls for more. Beware of the
games whose interest is stimulated by
bets, or by those convenient apologies for
bets, prizes. Beware Of the amusements
which lead to late hours and mornings
heavy with languor and depression. Some
public amusements can never be healthy,
because their promoters are compelled 10
make them popular by every varying
methods of passionate excitement. WORK
is the business Of life, and play, Whlcn
diverts US from heavier cares and heips US
to fellowship with kindred spirits, should
not unfit US for it. Withal, do not forget
the highest aim tor work, usefulness; and
the best of all recreation, prayer.-Ihe
C0ngregdtiondlist.
CHARACTER BUILDING.-One reason
why so few persons build character
which shows itself at height above the
ordinary plane of common living is, that
only few are willing to give the neces-
sary time to working on the foundations
superstructure presuppOses good SUBJ
structure. The superstructure cannot be-
gin to build until the sub-structure is COM
pleted. 1t takes long time of prepara-
ton to make a good mechanic, good
business man, a good professional man,
good artist. When man is good work
er e in his line, anybody can see it, But
while he is preparing for his good work,
he and his methods are likely to be out of
sight from the public. 1t requires pa
tience, courage, faith, in order to wait
we'll as a preliminary to working we'll.
But without these requisite characteris-
tics, no man can expect the results Of their
employing. A common trouble with men
is that they will not take time for the
preparing of themselves for efficient SER
vice in their chosen sphere of labor. They
want 10 secure at once those results which