Norwich bulletin., 1912-07-06
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
EeB TIDES OF THE SOUL.


 1 like to go down by the shore best during the hours of high water Mud flats and slippery rocks may do for an occasional expedition with the children looking for shells and star fish, but generally, flood tide has far more at traction. Everything unpleasant is submerged; the sea rises in a clean cut line along the white cliffs. Our little yawl will go anywhere without danger of scraping bottom. Yet, in the econ omy of nature, the tide is out each day as many hours as it is in
 The tides of life do not always stand at flood any more than do the tides of old ocean. The waters recede from us and leave an expanse of sun baked sand. There are days when we feel no glad abounding flow of vitality. Nerves are spent and the pulse lowered. The blood seems to course with sluggish current through our dull veins.
 Mental states, moreover, are ttnged by physical. Work loses interest for us, friends seem distant and our ordinary pleasures pail upon the taste. We come somewhere near the condition of the ancient sage who lamented that the grasshopper had become burden and desire had failed.
 Encouragement is a very dangerous mood and we should beware of it Ships are apt to strike all kinds of reefs when the tide is out and so are craft on what poets call the sea of life. In hours of depression we are apt to do and say many foolish things. Judg- ment is warped and right decisions are practically impossible. Discouraged people cannot, as a rule, see facts clearly or work with full effectiveness.
 The only safe rule is to fight the mood as one would fight the plague. There are various first aid to the de- pressed remedies that anyone may ap- ply in his own case A brisk walk in Gods beautiful out of doors is one of the best Blue devils hate fresh air and will run at the smell of it. Na- ture is so immense and calm and un- ruffied that our little worries seem ra- ther insignificant when we come into her presence.
 Then there are always certain rather uninteresting but necessary tasks, that we have put off in happier hours that may be gotten through with when the tide is out To set resolutely at such practical matters as need attention, to clear of accumulated odds and ends of work is, strangely enough. another way back to 8 normal and contented mind. It is well enough to remember, withal that the tide is coming in again. States of depression are only transient. By and by the returning floods of hope and courage will surge over us. Mean while we can make the most possible of uninspired hours and dull days. A resolute and persistent spirit in hours of disappointment and depres- sion is one mark of genius. Let me cite an example. When you look at the splendid editions of Thoreau's works now available in the book stores, re- 1 fleet that 50 years ago no one wanted
 them at any price. Soon after the pub | lication of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" 700 copies of | the book were delivered at the au- | thor's home with note from the pub 1 lished saying that they were unsal- able. My works" Thoreau writes in his dairy, "are now piled up on one l side of my chamber, half as high as 1 my head. This is authorship. Never l theless, in spite of this result, sitting beside the inert mass of my works, | take my pen tonight with as much sat | isfaction as ever"
 EVen ebb tide may be an herioc and 1 productive season for ono with such 3 ] spirit. THIl PARSON