Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-03-03
Despondency-Its Causes and Cure.
Part 2,



induced by physical or mental exhaustion.
1t is true that work prosecuted with intelli-
gent apprehension of natures limitations,
with due regard to the actual degree of
strength, never kills, but the worry Of
the mind dissatisfied with its accomplish
ment may easily incapacitate for the real
duties OF life The ambitious student and
the covetous money maker face the same
peril, though with difference in motives
like the disparity between dust and dia-
monds. The brokendown body reacts upon
the mind the overtaxed intellect revenges
itself upon bodily tissue; and the ultimate
wrecking OF both is assured. The equi-
librium has been destroyed; and incapaclty,
IN part failure, disappointment, and disease
ensue. Multitudes have realized the folly
and the wretchedness too late Tor restoration.
The excellence OF the work yields no justiti
cation, not even when the genulneness OF
the zeal s beyond all question; because
the requisition is never in excess OF the
| powers, and the reward never graduated to
the achievement, but To the purity and
strength OF motive. Under the divine law,
u man is accepted in the ratio of possession,
not according TO his lack. Added TO this.
the responsibility which centres in the in
dividual elects every other element from the
| judgment. We err greatly when We IN
dertake to carry the affairs OF the universe
upon our poor shoulders. Martyrdom Is
| glorious mansaughter is without praise
and without apology.
| Mental or spiritual gloom is no ft subject
| for Jest or laughter; though its torture is
sometimes increased by the light treatment
of the healthy, the happy, or the frivolous.
1.-The heart knoweth its own bitterness" 1t
cannot be argued out OF It's view and esti-
mate OF its own experience; but often may
find its burden lightened, or, happily, en-
tirely removed, through the blessed lniu-
ence of genuine sympathy, distinguished by
the feeling of klnshIp, the uplifting oil the
| strong hand, and the tender tribute nl real
| tears. Excessive and prOtracled labors
which involve anxiety for Gods glory and
the good OF men is polinc cause OF ne
| spondency. There are reasons why II
should thus affect highly organized sensl
tive natures. When we are perfectly cool,
and reason and the Writings rule, We see
that the king is more interested for the good
of his creatures than we can possibly be;
| that his eternal purpose shall never be
| baked, whether he use us or Others AZ
| agents, or whether he act Independently ol
any visible agency whatever that he allols
Il division OF labor, that there may be a dl-
vlding OF 10y. This is the consideration
great calm But in the lervor OF action
unsatisfed yearning Tor realization may
| render cherries the preparation and wait
ing. This was the immediate cause OF
Eiiah's sadness OF late, his anxiety had
been intense his excitement great. Nervous
debility followed, and under the shock he
forgot himself and threw off the man
None can know but by experience the
| mental strain upon those whom necessity
drives to unremitting toll for the sake oil
loved ones. Care eats like canker. Love
breeds and feeds II. 1t ignores sell ana
builds affairs OF sacrifice. IL II not case ol
distorted fancy, but hard, irreducible Tact.
The eyes OF his dependents look up To the
provider ~ his own look up to the Dread
bestowing Father. Beyond the present,
when helplessness shall stretch out hands
toward its support, looms the future, I'M
probed and toreboding. Daily in full view
of mountains of difficulty that must be
climbed by feet already sore and weary
The cruel wrongs of men, and the obscure
providences OF God. Business losses and
crosses have destroyed the peace, and al
: most the faith, of many good man. The
suffering of the strong mind is terrible
Like slow torture to the young and strong
and active. Dying by inches, not by the
swift mercy stroke of decapltation. Com
miseraton Tor this class is charity do not
say in greater measure butt equal-to that
offered any other.
Gloominess not seldom arises from "A sense
of loneliness and lack OF sympathy. Genu'
inc reformers and ardent morasts are often
oppressed with this feeling. With deep
reverence, and profound conviction OF the
infinite difference, we may, by faint like.
ness reckon il as their dethsemane On
their hearts they bear the wrongs men per-
petrate against their Creator, and the hurt
they inflict upon themselves. They would
rescue the world. They would teach the
ignorant. They would elevate the earth
prone, They would cleanse the unclean.
They would stand at the entrance OF lie
and with strong pleas and upited arm Of
mower. bar the soul from easy descent to
the Dit SO powerful Is the impulslon with
all good men that creeds, peculiar beliefs,
distinct methods Of going about the work,
hinder not; all at once eager 10 obey the
one call divine They realize that the
world il against them. Many early suffer
the experience of the OverCOnildent Meanc
thon. They wonder and weep. How can
| IL he that men stand unmOved, or even
| acornlul in presence OF courage, sacrifice,
h, art-hunger for their good, not that OF the
worker The reason il obvious enough, but
its admission il resisted, ~ one struggles 10
throw off a nightmare, and prove his Tree
dom from the horror. They are the ex-
ponents and promoters OF principles un
popular because pure and righteous These
are the men of whom The w6rld II not
worthy. Their talents are the gilt OF heaven,
with specific purpose; their devotion
caught from the great heart of Lowell Their
following il small, because their doctrine IL
pure. But let US bless God that select
number Ia still with us some o them, alas
not Christians, but great hearted, noble men
and women, who love TO do good 10 their
kind. II any Of us have Elijahs frame, and
wall, 81, even | only, am left" we are mis-
| taken There are more than seventy times
seven thousand who have not bowed the
knee TO Baal nor kissed him.
The grief that comes Of despairng view
Ia not the less poignant that II is often false.
IL aImply lacks knowledge Of the real facts.
II we could know all that passes IN the
minds Of those in whose interest we labor,
encouragement would give place 10 kindlIng
hope and growing faith. Oitentimes latin
full leader and worker enjoys the mistaken
confidence and good wishes oi one 30 re
served and lacking in demonstration "a ~
annear stoId or ininical. There Is an i'm
mense amount of sympathy for real religion
that IL unexpressed. Numbers Of royal
men, not Christians themselves, rejoice with
out cOncealment and with strong emphasis
In the salvation Of their friends. Even the
deprayed secretly allow It's value While neg
Iecting 10 secure its blessings. 80 That, at
the worst, only half ol that sort ot man Is
against us. Where the work processes u
deal only with the mind-though the line
between education and morality usually re-
fuses to be drawn-refinement and culture