Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-05-09
THE MISSION OF SUNSHINE
BY DAISY l.. CLOUGH.

There is nothing which gives to this
earth such brightness, such cheerfulness
and warmth, both of body and soul, as
sunshine.
When the sky is full of clouds, what
dreary, dull scene greets US; usually our
feelings darken as the sky grows dark
with Clouds but when the clouds break
and the sunlight in all it's splendor
shines forth, flooding the earth with
brightness and beauty, then how happy
and joyous we feel; the birds sing, the
children laugh at their play, and every
thing is filled with the influence of the
sunshine.
But there are two distinct kinds of sun
shine-the sunshine OF which | have
been speaking, which comes from the
sun, and the sunshine of the soul, which
makes glad the hearts and lives of the
human race.
Both kinds have many properties in
common, which are nearly alike; both
are conveyers Of brightness; both
elements for development-the sunshine
from the sky helps the flowers and trees
and all the beautiful things of nature
grow and thrive; the sunshine of the soul
makes the human character develop and
broaden from narrow, selfish being to
kind hearted, loving person. In reality l
think one kind is as important as the
other for the general welfare and happi-
ness of the world.
The sun can give this comforting light
only on this condition-that it is free
from clouds. 1t is the same with people;
they cannot show to the world sun
shiny character if there are clouds which
cover the heart and mind. Then we must
cast the clouds away, break through
them, crush them down, trample on
them, and let the sunshine of Gods love
fill our hearts and send its life-giving
rays to the world through our words and
deeds and acts. What a change there
would be in the world if all should
undertake to live life of sunshine!
"Our disposition is much of our own
making" writes DR.. Tamage. 1--WE admit
there is great difference in natural
constitutions. Some persons are born
cross" Then what victory will be
theirs when they conquer that nature;
much more will be the glory of such
person who succeeds than a person who
has no such trials, who is born with
happy disposition.
Everything has its mission in the
world. This is the mission of sunshine;
it is the purpose for which it was created
to make light and joy in the world.
The influences of sunshine are many,
especially on the character which ex-
hibits it. Here is a lady who is always
ready to make bright some ones path by
a smile, kind word or deed, always
happy at home and abroad. Why is that
lady loved by everybody? Why is it that
even the thought of her makes pleasant
memories rush to your mind? Because
sunshine is fulfilling it's mission in her
heart, but not against the will. 1t never
comes without welcome, and in most
instances we have to work for it,
In he home what blessing is sun
shiny person; what a deep, lasting inn
preston is made on the hearts of the rest
by that one. The home is the place
where we begin life, and if we have the
influence of sunshine there, how much
we shall miss it and prize it when we go
out into the world; and knowing it's
value we should, by our own efforts, try
to keep its influence always with US
through life.
Then we have an influence upon the
people with whom we meet and talk each
day. Seeing how valuable such dis
position is, they will wish to possess it
it will awake new desires in them; they
will find it is life filled less with self
and more for others.
What blessing was Jenny Lind, ''the
Swedish nightingale" as she was called,
as she visited the hospitals and spoke
cheering words and sang to the inmates
who had few things to brighten their
lives.
Henry Ward Beecher was another
character OF sunshine; also the great
musical composer, Wolfgang Mozart,
always happy and cheerful, making his
home paradise by his presence there.
Mrs. Browning says
1.-THE sweetest lives are those to duty we'd
Whose deeds, both great and small,
Are close knit strands of unbroken thread
Where love ennobles all.
The world may sound no trumpets, ring no
bells,
The Book of Life the shining record tells"
And SO it is; we not only have reward
for our deeds here on earth, but reap a
greater reward in heaven. Our thoughts
are purer and better for not living for