Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-01-24
FACIAL SUNSHINE.

written by Elvie G. Billings, pupil a, the
Bluehill Academy
What is sunshine! Undou btedly the
ori1inal and literal meaning of the term
is, the glowing rays Of light emitted from
the great universal source Of visible light
and Of perceptible heat, the sun, famil-
iariy called ''Old SOL"
But the word sunshine has come to
convey much broader meaning than
that above stated; very naturally and
appropriately, as we regard the fitness OF
things, this word is used in the sense Of
being applicable to anything which
sppears or impresses as being bright,
attractive, pleasing or pleasant, even
when not of itself essentially luminous
in its nature.
Thus we have accustomed ourselves to
characterize our country as 1.-The sunny
land of freedom" Again, we say of GER
tain homes-not necessarily luxurious
from an aesthetic or a moneyed point of
yiew-'.How sunshiny that place inevita-
bly, is? 1t is an actual refreshment to be
entertained there" In expressing
opinion of certain people, We say of one,
'sHe is thoroughly good at heart, his
morals, manners and thoughts are ire
proachatle, he IS Well-informed and talks
well, but still ! do not enjoy his
company. Somehow it seems gloomy,
oppressive: he does not attract, he repels
his presence acts as wet blanket
there is no sunshine in his makeup"
OF another the verdict is unanimous:
at does me good to meet Mr.. so-and-So.
He is always so happy, cheerful and con
tented. No matter how hard the times
or how Indictment the weather, his pres
ence is like sunbeam
We have seen in the preceding that
sunshine is not universal, though it may
constitute an individual element We
have seen that it renders the place or
person which it characterizes an attract
i've and desirable association. Is a rainy
day more popular han sunny one? No;
and just so is a sunny, cheerful person
more agreeable companion than one who
is sullen and morose.
As we believe that we were created to
hold the highest place of which we are
capa ble-by all fair and honest means-in
every worthy persons estimation, and to
exert the strongest possible influence
that will in any way tend to elevate
every mind of a lower moral plane than
our own with which we may be contacted
it will be not merely an instructive and
interesting, but also profitable and
beneficial study, to analyze this ingrained
,f nln
ascertain of what it is constituted,
wherein it is contained, and how it is
manifested.
To begin with, we venture to assert
that the face is not sunshine, but is
simply a radiator connected with some
concealed source. 1t seems dubitabe if
the sunny element Of the person is at all
dependent upon the construction of the
features; perhaps it would not be saying
too much to say that the position of he
features in expression is determined by
the sunny eIement-or by the lack of it,
We see beautiful people who are not
attractive, and we see attractive people
who are not beautiful. \ pleasant smile
is good thing to see, but not al! smiles
many smiling countenGnces in the Inca
ments OF which It was not possible to
trace sign OF that which i apprJp-i-
ately designated .natiye sunshine
OF transient sunshine we have little 10
say, for there Is no virtue in sunshine
wh-n tHs TiHds are fair and the skies are
clear; the sun ea4Hodheip shining then,
And it j. so With Us; il il nothing hut
natural law to be affable and agreeable
when circumstances are in conformity
with or wishes and conducive to our
happiness 1t is the perpetual SUNS ! inc
to which the present discussion is con-
fned-the sunshine that lives with the
being, that stamps the whole curriculum
of word, of thought and OF deed with il,
indelible impress, that shows in the face,
as pain, long continued, shows; it must
shine forth.
1t is automatic that all effect has pro-
ducing cause; all sunshine has source.
We believe that the source of pure, I'M
adulterated facial sunshine lies in a clear
conscience, right comprehension of the
relations of God and man, and an honest,
entire fulfllment of the obligati ions
appended thereto. If these conditions
were fully realized in any single indiyid-
ual, wouldn't he be nearly perfect
man? Se!fshness, of some sort or other,
is the baneful ingredient which mixes
with our ideal sunlight and renders it, to
some extent, greater or less, an alley of
sunshine. What a radiant face of sun
shine must our Creator have! And He
smiles encouragement upon he weakest