The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-09-05
Tho Duty of HAPPINESS.


Isl II man is unhappy this must be his owr
I'll FAULT, for God made all men to be happy
Ri EpictetuS.
1t is an exceedingly depraved heart that
does not feel and admit that one of the
greatest pleasures of our existence is con-
tributing. as far as in our power, to the
4 happiness of our fellow creatures. This
s. thought should actuate our lives in every
81 particular; if We enjoy anything we want
g Others TO share it. What gives us Measure
81 we are sure will give some other the same
enjoyment. When / read the beautiful
n lines at the head of our column today. nv
s first thought was for my many readers 10
share my pleasure. / know many readers
8 pass over poetry, but there are others who
u drink IN the beautiful sentiments express
g ed in such lines as the thirsty flowers i'm
81 bibe the evening dews, and feel themselves
81 strengthened and refreshed from such a
IS draught do the flowers. Every line of
81 the above poem contains a great truth,
81 beautiful thought or profitable lesson.
q Is it not too true that when our sky is
q clear and when life seems wholly bright,
"a that one "small speck" is enough to cause
murmur? while others whose lives are
II always dark are more heartily thankful for
even zone streak of light"
n Then again we find it is not in palaces
s and homes of luxury that happiness is ap-
B preciated Discomfort and pride often quench
81 out the light that fain would find an en-
Y trance, and we journey on to the hut or
q humble home to find its rays fluminng the
81 hearts of those whore love that never
seerns TO tire" has made its abiding place
Il These beautiful lines were found in lit
tie book that has given me so much pleas
s. ure that 1 fain would impart it to my read
81 ers. 1t is called The Pleasures of Life
@nse -. ~ 49,. .oes the tno1l71fc 'itU w.
sboudl be taught the duty of happiness as
we'll as the happiness of duty; that we
should be as cheerful as we can, if only
because 10 he happy ourselves is n most
IS effectual contribution to the happiness OF
3 others. He says: Every one must have
felt that n cheerful friend is like a summer
dar which sheds its brightness on all
81 around: and most Of us can, as we choose
make of this world either a palace or a
prison.
4 If we do our best: if we do not mag
9 Nifty trihiug troubles; if we resolutely look,
/ do rot say at the bright side OF things
but as things as they really are III we
avail ourselves of the manifold blessings
that surround US, we cannot but feel how
thankful we ought TO be for the sacred
trust of health. strength and tme-1or the
glorious Inheritance Of life
] think very few people realize the Won
derful privilege Of living: the beauties of
the universe; the thousand sources which
daily surround us from which we could
i draw happiness if we only chose to, ana
y the power we possess OF securing peace
of triumphing over pain and sorrow.
This power was 50 fOrcibly illustrated TO
d H., of m
that the lesson has never left me, and Tor
nineteen years l have carried in my heart
a sweet reproachful look and the precious
word4 81 a dying mother.
! Stood by the bedside of a mother who
had been nv idol Her Christian character
was a light to the feet of her children and
all who knew her. yet God saw fit to call
her through the deepest physical suffering
For nine long weeks her agonies had been
50 great that my faith had failed Inc. L
4 could not see why so much pain could be
put ppon one who had served her COD so
{ faithfully: and so heartbroken, L was IAN
4 70 murmur a few days before
81 fine last. when, l stood py
ID her side after terrible paroX-
81 ysm of pain had passed, she exclaimed
q BLESS the Lord, oh, my soul and all that
/ is with me: bless His holy name. I'm
consciously I said: oh whas for" Never
shall | forget the look Of reproach with
which she turned and said: why, my
child. for life and strength to praise Ills
holy name There was 1.-THE power OF
triumph over pain and SORROW.
Y The writer goes on to give as another
III duty toward happiness sympathy 1ol
others. IF we separate ourselves so much
from the interest of those around us that
we do not sympathiZe with them III then
sufferings, we shut ourselves out iron
sharing their joys and lose far more than
we gain If we exclude sympathy and WraI
ourselves round in cold chain armor OF
seIfishnass we exclude ourselves from many
of the greatest and purest joys OF life. 1'
render ourselves insensible to pain we mus
forfeit also the possibility of happiness.
One other quotation for the benefit
parents, and / am done:
1T is customary but l think 1t IS mis-
take TO speak of happy childhood. Children
however, are often over-anXious and acuIef.
sensitive. Man ought to be man, AM
master Of his fate but children are at III
mercy Of those around them, MI harey' I'll
great horse tanner, has told US that ne ma
known an angry word raise the pulse OF
horse ten beats in 4 minute. IhihA the'
how it must affect 4 child.
We forget our blessings because they ar
always with us: few of us appreciate III
number of our everyday blessings; we thin
they are trifies and yet ''triiies make pertet
ton, and perfection is no tritie
e-
Their sweet Expression.
1.-The secret, perhaps" says a traveller, e
the sweet expression and habitual serenity
the Japanese women can be found in the