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 human instincts. 1t
seems to be sometimes matter of climate
or of general diet in its origin, as whole
nations are found characterized by it:
and it is apparently sometimes a 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-williDg 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
VI CudIdCttI, tl6NdllOu VI IHOT6l IGell1g
and outwardness of aim in all ones con-
duct are necessary requisites to the exer-
tion of any commanding influence upon
them.


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
spendthrift of such amazing possibilities
of improvement In moral character and
moral happiness? 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 a 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 hopefulness
and abounding good cheer. The real
difficulties of life are-mward 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 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 10 learn, first of all, to rule
| himself How shall an angry man
teach others to calm their restless tenn
pers? How shall one who is selfish in
| spire them to benevolence? And how
shall he who continually disturbs the
peace of those around him, guide any of
them to become light bearers unto others
in their ideas, purposes, manners and
very features?


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
his enjoyment, with brightness and beau
ty, by day and by night, and over the
green earth adorned everywhere with a
wonderful fullness of preparations for his
comfort and gladness. In whatever direc-
tion we look, there are allurements to
thought and continual enticements 10
manly effort, for ourselves and for those
| dependent in various ways. for happi-
ness, upon our interest in them. And,
whatever trials are appointed of God for
any and every man, are needful parts of
that higher discipline, which, if each one
vigorously responds to it Alright, will Sc
cure his greatest possible progress in
moral excellence. "God hath made every
thing beautiful in its time;' ''the whole
earth is full of His riches" "let every
thing that hath breath praise the Lord"
I-Inferinr