The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-12-06
PITHY SERMONS
IN THE SUNDAY "NEW YORK HERALD
BY REV. GEORGE H. HEPwoRTH.
a Grateful Heart.

reJOlce.-f SalmS, XcVll, L.
1t is little difficult to be grateful
for what we have, because the mind
constantly reaches forward to the
things we wish we had but have not
To live in rest anticipation of what
we do not now possess is disastrous to
the souls we'll being and breeds dis.
content.
This spirit of discomfort is not only
unhealthy for the body, but it bars all
spiritual progress.
To cultivate the habit of gratitude
is to make life easy and comfortable,
to brighten the general outlook, and
to strengthen the heart for any afflic-
tion or sacrifice which the coming
days may bring.
Good nature and ill nature stand
waiting without, and it depends on
yourself alone which shall enter and
abide IN the house, for never yet have
both lived under the same roof.
A cheerful thought, born of an un-
faltering faith, furnishes the most gra-
cious companionship, while the spirit
of the fault finder makes even the sun
shine seem gloomy.
And it is possible to maintain this
attitude of good cheer when one views
life from the right standpoint. If, for
example, you say to your soul, with
the impulse of averice, "How many
things the Lord has refused to give
met you so disturb yourself that
your very health will feel the effect,
for health depends more on the way
our thoughts run than We imagine.
But if, on the contrary, you say, with
good and sensible Diogenes, aye gods,
how many things there are in the world
which do not want!' you will soon
learn to be happy and contented with
what you have.
1t is surprising how satisfied you
can be with little if you will only put
yourself into harmony with your envi-
ronment, and equally surprising how
miserable you can be with pretty
nearly everything if you dwell on the
few things you do not possess. You
are master of yourself, and can think
along either line, as you choose and
determine.
1t is wholesome service you do
your soul when you sit down and Sc
riously make list of the benefits you
enjoy. You will be astonished at its
length. Look out on The sunrise in
the morning, with the feeling that is a
blessed thing to be alive, with work to
do in world where the helping hand
never yet failed of an opportunity.
Look monday, in the heat and hustle
of business, and that the whole uni
verse is moving steadily toward a
higher level, and that your small task,
if rightly done is one of the threads in
'ho great fabric of progress. Look out
IN the evening, when God kindles the
stars, and sees eyond the s'limmering
glory of the tirmanent the loom OF the
celestial city of which some time you
will be citizen, with none of the limi-
tations which hamper you now. Look
into your narrow household, at the
dear ones who climb on your knees for
their good nj ght and fathers blessing,
and then up to those half invisible
ones who are ever lowering near be-
cause unbroken ties of love still bind
them to those who linger yet little
while.
Are not these thoughts the real
treasure of the world? Is there any
thing for which you would willingly
exchange them? You may not have
wealth, but you have something which
wealth cannot buy, and even though
you have wealth, it is nothing in the
comparison. You will not repine if
you have faith like that, and to find
fault because God has not given you
more is an objectionable offence.
Gratitude ought not to be classed as
duty, tor it should be pleasure, as
it certainly is a means of growth. The
man of grumbles shrlnks slowly and
contracts like withered apple. His
presence is a sitting atmosphere, and
we feel relieved when he departs. But
the man of good cheer pushes the
whole world along, and while he is
with us we part the clouds and see the
blue sky. The chronic grumbler is a
spiritual criminal who carries with
him depressing influence.
Think only bright thoughts if you
would make your life lovely or effect
i've. Think ofthe silver lining or dark
experiences and the soul will be up
lifted. Make the most of what you
have, and so keep the heart young.
Religion is always pointing its finger
at the sunshine, and is therefore the
best thing in the world. 1t leads you
away from the shadows and shows you
the light beyond them. Never sit
amid dark memories, never dwell on
dark forecasts, for if you have God
and heaven to look forward to you
have abundant cause to be grateful.
Rejoice, smile, be glad, and your days
will become joyful notes in triumph
ant symphony. Face the future with
a large faith and the future will re.
spond with the gifts of happy content.
The presence of God may be always
yours, and that should clea: all clouds