The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-22
(BY. WILLIAM T. ELLIs.)

Even the doctors now say, after
their years in classroom. laboratory
and clinic. that "a merry heart doeth
absolute physical value in a joyful
soul. The fretful spirit is likely ere
long to have an ailing body or an ad-
ditional reason for fretfulness. Even
on the low plane of self interest, the
For the praiseful life is the peaceful
life and the powerful life.
They who give God gratitude get
further reasons for being grateful.
Music helps soldiers drill and
march. And the tunes which the
bands play are lively and merry; for
as Is the music, so will be the march.
1t is possible. to travel through life to
the tune of praise. The habit of
counting our mercies'' is as easy to
form as the habit Of grumbling; and
1t Is gem on ones forehead while
the other is ball and chain to ones
ankle. Since everybody is master Of
his own habits, why not train up good
ones while about it?
There are prudential and philoso-
phical reasons for cultivating the
spirit OF joy, but they are not the best
foundation for happiness. God is, and
He is good. His thoughts toward us
are loving thoughts He plans hap
piness for us. Therefore, the least re-
turn that we can make is to join the
chorus Of nature and sing his praise.
A grateful, rejoicing spirit, establish
ed In the spirit of thanksgiving, is the
surest defense against the cares of
life.
1t makes for refinement and strength
OF spirit to cultivate a sense Of gratitude
winch endures resolute principle
q hor1A Co.
fail to acknowledge a kindness. is a
fundamental equipment for noble living.
To speak in terms of the modern beauty
DOCTOR, the greatest wrinkle-maker in ex-
,st n,n; Is simply. ordinary everyday. com
man think all the time about herself or
himself and she or he will inevitably
g ms ,v,ov wrinkles too deep Tor any der
there is no cosmetic like a spirit of thank
The person who keeps his soul turned
gratefully toward the Father in Heaven
VII always have sunshine on his face.
lowest and littiest things. >
10 be unhappy is really dangerous.
Many one who has childishly Rugged
long, an old Man Of the Sea- astride his
back. Dorothea Mackellar has put this
idea into verse:
my sorrow, o my sorrow, when first you
came to rest
Crouched budding on my hearthstone, I
held you to my breast
Aho cuddied and carest you, and rocked
~ you Ger and Ger.
My sorrow. like baby that creeps upon
the floori
I showed you to my neighbors. I made
you rtmes to sing,
FOR was proud to have you, the delicate
small thing;
nd 7
come today.
My sirrcw, like tiger tense-crouching
for his prey.
For silently and swiftly. my sorrow. you
have grown
TIL you are waxed so dreadful dare not
Alone ! dare not face you. lest be slain
pray you, monster sorrow, to sheathe
your claws tonight
Just to be glad is gratitude. A child's
pleasure in a gift Affords parents more
gratiflcation than words Of thanks When
from Heaven. and when we live sunnily
and helpfully. we show q real gratitude
which may be lacking from personal
words of praise
The usage Of grace before meat Is said
to be dying out In America; which II ser1-
Gus. II true. Because the open acknOwl-
edgment Of Gods goodness in providing