The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1905-03-11
CHKERFULNEss.

How full of meaning that word
really is Cheerfulness gives elas-
ITCHY to the spirit. Specters fly be-
fore it, difficulties cause no despair,
for they are encountered with hope,
and the mind acquires that happy dis
position to improve opportunities,
which rarely fail of success. The
lfervent spirit is always healthy and
happy spirit, working cheerfully itself,
and stimulating others to work. It
confers a dignity on even the most
Ordinary occupation. Cheerfulness
does not depend on ones circum-
Stances or conditions. 1t is matter
of ones spirit, not of one S possession.
"a bright face and sunny looks are
often seen on one who is in sickness
Or in bodily pain. Next to the
sunlight of heaven is the cheerful
face. One glance at it lifts out of the
mists and shadows into the beautiful
realm Of hope. One cheerful face in
the hous ehold will keep
everything warm and light within ;
even though it be very plain face,
its CHEEKY smile sends the blood dane
ing through the veins for Joy and
scatters the shadows of gloom and
dependency. Hide your aching
heart behind a sweet smile-and
laugh. Laughter is a tonic. It
should be INDUCED in for health and
comforts sake. Titus used to say
that he had lost a day when it was
passed without laughter. The pill
grims of Mecca considered it so essen
tial part of their devotion that they
called upon theirprophet to save them
from sad faces.
Giggling is silly. In its use and
propriety it differs greatly from
laughter. Do not giggle. But
have good hearty laugh once in
while. CheerfulneSs makes men pre-
erninently useful. Ifyou wish to live
useful life, then prolong it and
make the most of it by wearing a
cheerful countenance. Cheerfulness
gives US physical, mental and moral
vigor. It is the normal atmosphere
of the soul. Does it pay to be cheer
full? Let US see whether we can prove
it. Here is a man with a gloomy
mind, his whole expression is that of
dissatisfaction with dark and down
cast eyes he looks into the future, and
everything that passes his way is
displeasing to him. In the morning
he gets up late SO as to shorten the
hours of the day, then he goes heavy
hearted to his work, not because he
likes to work, but because he must
work. He has never kind word
nor a joyful look for those with whom
he comes in contact, and the whole
world seems to work against his luck
and fortune, at least he imagines it
so; he is never satisfied, although he
may have an income of ten thousand
dollars a year. But now let us draw
a picture of a cheerful man. In the
morning, after rising, he first gives
thanksgiving to God for another new
day, then he greets in friendly man
ner all members of his family; his
or appearance of counte-
nance is joyful and happy, and with
a glad and cheerful heart he begins
his work, not thinking of himself but
how he may please others. He al
ways has kind word for the broken
hearted, and his hands are always
ready to serve those who are in need
of help. He is never too tired to take
a step for the helpless or speak a friend
ly word to the poor, for experience
teaches US that the most effective
work is the full hearted work, that
which passes through the hand or
head of him whose heart is glad.