The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1888-10-26
SEEKING SYMPATHY.


How One OF the Sweetest Sentiaaents of
Life Is Frequently abused.
Among the desires that sometimes
claim satisfaction, without regard 10
the happiness OF others, Il that of SYM
pathy. Now, OF all the pleasures OF
life sympathy would seem To be
one OF the sweetest and pnrest. It
unites brethren and friends In the
closest bonds; II lifts burdens. soothes
sorrow, multiplles joys and promotes
human brotherhood, Flowing natnr-
ally from warm and loving hearts Into
grateful ones, Ii blesses both giver aud
receiver, II Is the living spark which
kindles all sorts Of benevolent enter
piises, builds hospitals, schools and
churches, promotes reforms. draws
men away from vice and guides them
into paths OF virtue and seif-respect.
Yet this beneficent factor In human
life IL not unfrequently abused by those
who selfishly seek 1t. Not to mention
those who try TO awaken II In others
for the sake OF the material benefit
which may come TO them, there Is a
large class of people who crave II fer
Its own sake as a sort of indulgence.
which they think they must have at
whatever cost TO others. They are
never content unless some one is con-
doling with them and plying them.
and the more sympathetic pain they
can induce their friends and neighbors
10 feel the better satisfied they are. So
sweet morsel do they find this TO be
that they treasure every ailment.
so as 10 recount IL; they dwell
upon their disappointments. their
trials, and their woes. cherishing the
memory of them TO pour them into the
ears OF every willing listener, and to
compel him TO feel something of the
suffering which they so diifusely por-
tray as their own. OF course this
process leads insensibly TO great exag-
| geration. Such Is the action of the
mind, that whatever is dwelt upon ex-
clusively assumes magnifed proper
tions; and a slight headache or other
physical discomfort which might be
forgotten amid pressing interests. may
become almost unbearable when al
| lowed 60 occupy all the thoughts.
/ Much more Is this the case with mental
anxiaties or troubles, and. be they
slight or severe, the habit of brooding
over them always augments their hard
ship. In recounting them to one whose
sympathy is hoped for the tendency 10
fun ther exaggeration Is increased, and
very often the listener is made to feel
I a sympathetic pain. which Is really
4 far greater than that which has been
I inflicted for his benefit. Certainly moth
4 ing could injure the cause Of true sym.
/ pathy more than such fraudulent and
mean attempts To obtain 1t. Its power
/ lies In its perfect freedom and in the
reality OF the suffering which It seeks
20 relieve. When il Is wasted on sham
Affections or drawn out by selfish
angling for 1t, there win always be q
reaction and hardening of the heart
! Much sympathy is thus crushed out o.
existence that would otherwise be per
| manently active In blessing the world
Those who seek in this way fol
sympathy in all their real and fancied
troubles are adding TO the distres.
| OF human life, instead OF TO its happi
ness. When they meet with any good
fortune they seldom call upon others Il
/ EGlOAGG NAAA NaAEssAts 4NAS 1A4I
are content to monopolize. but theil
troubles OF every kind they want Il
share. With one of a generous ana
noble spirit it would be exactly the re
verse. He would bury his griefs Ii
his own bosom, hide his pain when
ever 1t was possible, be mostly silen
about his diseases, his disappoint
ments, his annoyances. his trials; but
on the other hand. he would deltgh
in emphasizing all that was glad an,
beautiful and bright. that others. too
might partake of his pleasure. Mon
taigne says: 81 daily endeavor Il
shake of that childish humor and in
humane conceit which causeth that by
our griefs and pains we ever desire {,
move our friends to compassion AMI
sorrow for us, and with a kind o
sympathy to condole our miseries ant
passions. A man should, as mucl
as he can. set forth and extend hi
Joy; but, TO the utmost OF his power
suppress and abridge his sorrow.
There are enough clouds in every lif
to make each generous person anxiou
not to increase them by adding hi
own, but to chase them away, as far a
possible, by spreading abroad ali tn
sunshine that enters into his life t
cht er aud bless mankind. And th
sympathy which he would not strive 4
obtain, but which he was always will
ing to bestow, will be extended fire.
and unasked, and he win grateful.
receive all the comfort and cheer whicl
Il so plentifully bears. Philadeipai,
| Ledoer