Year: 1873

THIS very word suggests in its etymol-
ogy the habits of an animal, which spends
much of its brief life on earth in grunt-


ing. The instinct to grumble is one of
the meanest of all humaR instincts. 1t
seems to be sometimes matter of climate
OF of general diet in its origin, as whole
nations are found characterized by it;
and it is apparently sometimes matter


of blood, as it runs in families now and


then from generation to generation.


More commonly it arises from low intel.


lectual views and narrow habits of moral


thoughtfulness, and it is at all times


most contemplate manifestation of per-


sonal selfishness. Grumblers make very
much of little discomforts, and very little


of wonderful blessings. Their own diff


culties seem to be great beyond endur-
ance, and those of other people seem so


small, that they are quite over willing to
aggravate them still more. They are


wanting, therefore, in patience on their
| own account, and in benevolence toward


Others A grumbler frets, or, which is


the same thing, chafes away, continually,
his own happiness and that of others
also. Pitiable, indeed, is the exhibition


of human weakness which he makes, and


destructive entirely of all high moral


influence for good over others. Strength


of character, elevation of moral feeling


and outwardness of aim in all ones con-


duct are necessary requisites to the exer-


tion of any commanding influence upon


them. -...s - r....i 81


Time is too precious to be wasted by


any one in idleness, or wrong-feeling and


action. Out of the richly freighted ele-


ments of our probationary lot, although


so brief, all that either earth or heaven
| has in it of good, actual and possible, may


by diligence be elaborated and gathered


together in growing accumulation of ever
| increasing Joy. Who can afford to be a


spendthrift of such amazing possibilities
of improvement IN moral character and


moral happiness2 Surely not he who has


attained to little moral strength or peace,


lest that little should never grow to be


more; nor he who has much of it, lest he


should not long possess even fragment


of that. %


There is no good cause on earth that


can be helped by grumbling; there is none


that will not be sadly hurt by it. both in


the spirit of its abettors, and in the hearts


of all spectators; manv of whom would


be otherwise ready TO join them ere long


in sympathy and effort. If knowledge is


power, so, much more, are hopefulDess


and abounding good cheer. The real


difficulties of life are inward rather than


outward in their character, and are


originated by ourselves far more than by


our circumstances. Whether permitted


in any case by God, or directly contrived


by him, as a needful part of the best pos


sible experience for US, they are designed


to stimulate us ever to nobler action-and


never to crush us under the relentlessly
, revolving wheel of fate. Man was made


at the outset to be the conqueror of
: earth, and to sway all its elements and


forces at his will; and all the grandly
, connected discipline of Divine Provi-
} dence has been ever skillfully bent to the


production of this one splendid result.
But to rule the outer world and other
men, nothing is so needful in each and
, every man, as TO learn, first of all, to rule
: himself. How shall an angry man
teach others to calm their restless tenn
perss How shall one who is selfish in


spire them to benevolence? AAd how
? shall he who continually disturhs the
Z peace of taose around him, guide any of
them to become light-bearers unto others
: in their ideas, purposes, manners and
/ Pitiful indeed is the moral temper OF
: that man who can walk fretfully, or even
: stolidly like dumb beast, under the blue
, canopy above, lighted up by his God for
Q his enjoyment, with brightness and beau.
: ty, by day and by night, and over the
5 green earth adorned everywhere with a
b wonderful fullness of preparations for his
( comfort and gladness. In whatever direc
!, tion we look, there are allHrements 10
v thought and continual enticements 70
e manly effort, for ourselves and for those
( dependent in various ways, for happi
! ness, upon our interest in them. And
f whatever trials are appointed of God fol
? any and every man, are needful parts Of
2 that higher discipline, which, if each one
+ vigorously responds to it Alright, will Sc
: cure his greatest possible progress ir
a moral excellence. "God hath made every
Y thing beautiful in its time;" "the whole
= earth is full of His riches;" "let every
: thing that hath breath praise the Lord.