The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-06-21

only hardship, but also an injustice,
he can neither get out of his present
the best there is in Il nor look for
ward to the future with anything like
good cheer The people who indulge
in this latter train q thought aiN a
very bad sort of Christians They are
at odds with themselves and With the
Almighty. They spend 50 much time
in wishing that things were not az they
are that there is no time left in which
10 use their experience to the best ad-
vantage,
II we would recognize how much we
have to be grateful for instesd ot find
ing fault because there are those who
seem to be better on than we, we
should iind a deal OF comfort TO which
we are now strangers The difference
TO a mans soul. 10 his temper to his
general disposition, and, rot least ot
all, to his bodily health, between the
conviction that he can DO great things
with what ne has and the conviction
that he can do nothing because he has
not what he thinks he ought to have,
is practically the difference between a
life embittersd by an estrangement be-
tween himself and the very nature Of
things.
1t is true that there are human be-
ings who seem to be greatly favored by
circumstances or by the acciden; OF
birth. and also true that some have
very little capital OF opportunity, Why
this is so no student Of nature or OF
theology has heen able to tell us, It
Is one OF the puzzles Of creation, and
we can but guess at solution. Per-
haps by and by, when we reach a
higher vantage ground and look back
on these fieeung years, we shall be rs
grateful as we are now critical. The
matter Is not explained either by Chris
tianity or by any OF the natural relig-
ions which have swayed mankind.
leave the problem. therefore. to
take care OF itself and ask my soul this
far more important question. How can
get out of what have all the en-
joyment and good cheer II is capable
Of attordiug me? II my neighbor rides
while I walk. II he has plenty and /
have little, aye. IL he has robust health
and I bear about with me a thorn in
the flesh. would rather pray for
contented spirit than waste my energy
in envy OF that neighbor. l do not care
how humble ones's circumstances may
be, there is certainly something beau
tiful and holy to be found within the
narrow circle. The poorest man who
,ver lived, who had not where to lay
His head. and who died on the cross,
could find a world Of betuty in a flower
and a helpful truth in flight Of birds.
We think too much Of our environ
ment and not enough OF our destiny. |
Wealth has very little to do with hap
piness. Money gives nothing to the
heart. can purchase neither a moral
principle nor an inspiration. Strip the
millions from one man, take away the
poverty from another. pull of every
thing until you get down TO the naked
soul. and you find that the only real
difference is a difference Of character.
say this. therefore-give no atten-
ton to what others are able to do or 70
enjoy, but devote yourself TO doing
and enjoying all that is possible in
your own small life. There never yet
vas a night without a star, and If
Tou. search for the star and do what
fou can TO ignore the darkness you
WI find more happiness than you ever
lreamed OF. The habit Of looking at
ne bright side is well worth cultivat-
ng. II is kind Of practical Chris
ianity, which the world knows too
title about. Religion is not worth
much if It encourages your dlscontent;
or, after all II you and the Lord keep
ogether you will always be in good
ompany and always have something
0 make you glad and cheerful What
) around you VIII be frightened by
hat is above you. and today. cloudy
hough it may be, WIN be made radiant {
y the hopes that come from the great ]
GEORGE n HEpWORTH