The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-12-26
4 GRATEFUL HEART.
pplrit 81 Discontent Unhealthy kes
the Bedy and Bars All spirit-,
! ual Progress.

the liOrd fe1&netn, Iel thS eaFtN TeJOlco
Psalms ~: !.
1t is a 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 restless anticipation Of
what we do not now possess is disas
trous to the souls well being and
breeds discomfort.
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 affiic
ton or sacrifice which the coming
days may bring. .
Good nature and i'll 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'
falterirg faith, furnishes the most
gracious companonship. while the
spirit of the fault finder makes ever
the sunshine 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 avarce: "How
many things the Lord has refused to
give mel" you SO disturb yourself
that your very health will feel the
effect. for health depends more on the
way our thoughts run than we imag'
inc. But If, OF 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 en-.
vironment. and equally surprising
how miserable you can he with pret-
ty nearly everything if you dwell on
the few things you do not possess.
You nre master Of yourself, and can
think along either line, as you choose
and determine.
IT. is a wholesome service you do
your sonl when you sit down and
seriously 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
it is IA blessed thing to he alive, with
work to do in a world where the help.
ing hand never yet failed of an op.
portunity. Look out at noonday, in
the heat and hustle of business, and
think that the whole universe is NOV.
ing steadily toward a higher level,
and that your, small task, if rightly
done, is one Of the threads in the
great fabric of progress. Look ont in
the evening. when God kindles the
stars, and see beyond the shimmering
glory Of the armament the loom of
the celestial city of which some time
You will he a citizen. with none of the
limitations which hamper you now.
ItbDh lIlO N'll tt
the dear ones who climb on your
knees for their good night and ia.
ther's blessing and then up to those
hAf invisible ones who are ever
hovhring near because unbroken ties
of love still bind them to those who
lnger 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 von have something which
wealth caunot buy, and even though
you have wealth, it is as 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 unpardonable offense.
'ra'itrIde oueh, not to be classcd as
du'y, for it should be pleasure. as
it certainly is a means OF growth. The
man who erumblcS shrinks slowly
and contracts like wthcred apple.
His presence is sitting atmosphere,
aud we feel relieved when he-dcparts.
But the man of good cheer pushes the
whole world along, and while he is
with MS we part the clouds and see
the hIne sky. The chronic grumhlcr
is spiritual criminal who carries
with him depre ssing influence.
Think only bright thoughts if You
would make your life lovely or effcc-
tive. Think OF the silver lining of
dark experiences and the soul will be
upliftrd. Make he 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. II 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 tri.
umphant symphony. Face the future
with a large faith and the future will
respond with the gift of happy con-
tent. The presence of God may be al
ways yours, and that should clear all
clouds away.--George H. Hcpworth, in
N. Y. Herald.
Essence Of simplicity.
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