The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-09-18
SUNSHINE AND SHADOWS Il.
IN THE HUMAN LIFE.
BY n RICHMOND LADY

| The heart has IT'S own history In
Its loneliness often arise emotions Of In
| dcfinnblc cndcarment Imagine. ourselves
/ among the mountains when every hour
| of the day they. have presented a differ-
ent aspect. Sometimes the broad sha-
dows have laid in patches, mnalng with
the sunshine. each lending its owf, pc
! culiar tint to enhance the beauty Of
the other: and again the clouds have
hung dark and lowering. night and
desoaton claiming them ali. for their
own. 80 s5 t5ss
And 50 / have thought 1t Is with human
E5life In. its short day comes the sun
shine and the shadows, and ali rcjoice
in their minglng. We laugh and are
sad by turns, and in the darkness We
helplessy reach out our hand thankful,
oil! 50 thankful. il in The gloom it may
but touch that OF our heavenly life be-
You'd.
Let us study more how We must pros
per in this rariously- shaded life. Clouds
and sunshine, how arc they to be min-
glcd? First, We should look on the
bright side always, with our hearts full
OF hope, and our faces bright with sunny.
smiles. Life is too short to be darkcned
and clouded by grIevlng over things
We cannot help. Forgetting our own
troubles brings JOY and sunshine into Other
lives. We can do this even when the
heart is heavy, aud the eyes are swollen
with the weight OF unShcd tears. The
shadows of life seem to, mystify most
people, bntthey will not continue to mys-
tify those who bring to bear upon it
an intelligence that is broadened by a
reasonable faith inNGod and his goodness,
I Divine love Is the greatest existing force.
ami so often scatters the clouds that we
may view the beautiful silver Innings.
When we are weary and out OF tune
with present surroundings the best med-
cine is nature. Close our eyes for
awhile. and let fancy have full sway.
View. the scenes We have visited on a
day in the past Once more We watch
the radiant color of the summer skies
and hear the playing Of the wind-harp
su'rw eu,sses--the musical fall
of the rlvulct down tho mountain side;
the graceful motion of the red birds
wing as lie Pushes In and out among
the willows! Then comes the soft golden
( hills. and then II Is that peace fills
| again upon the troubled spirit. and lft's
petty aims, trials, struggles and disan-
rOiItmcnts sink out Of sight for Hslmc.
1T brings us no nearer 10 the sunshine
/ OF life to set and watclt, the clouds that
may center around our pathway. The
poor mariner encounters many storms.
When opc has blown over another comes.
Ihesc clouds and changes will conc
while We sail on troubled sea, but ne
Hooks forward to a secure haven where
he viii be out Of reach of bowling tom
pest. and whore the storms of his voyage
will end. Each moment of our lives
! comes laden with its own duties. clouded
often with more trouble than pleasure.
Then 1t is tll!ttI patience, love and hope
can faithfully discharge their duty By
scattering the difficulties and trials,
counting them as shadows of angels visits
in disguise And then we learn that
the storms of life have driven US, not
upon rocks. but into the desired haven
Of peaceful rcposc.
Though black and angry clouds may rise
10 hide the blue and summer skies.
From strained and weary waiting eyes,
The sun will shine when clouds arc gone,
And when Gods hand dispels the gloom
The birds will sing. the flowers bloom.
! Though steep the way aud dark tho night,
with never friendly ray of light,
And dim and feeble be the sight,
Still happiness waits in the dawn
There. Just beyond the darkness, lies
Loves sweet sunlighted paradlse;
For every hcartache. every tear.
For every patient struggling year.
For every sacrifice made here;
When Heavens mystic veil is drawn
a rich reward, ten thousand fold,
| VIII come with happiness untold.