Keep Sweet, and Don't Grumble
By F. M. W.
This article is designed for two classes; first, for those who do grumble, and secondly, for those who do not grumble. We hope it may have some little influence on the grumblers to convert them from their evil ways, and on those who do not grumble to lead them more earnestly to persevere in right-doing. The grumbler, or faultfinder, whose ways are perfect in his own eyes, sees nothing good in the lives or doings of his fellows. He is a pessimist. To him there is no joy of hope; no pleasure of anticipation, everything is dark and foreboding. He robs himself of the pleasures God designed him to enjoy, and so far as his influence extends, he makes life miserable for others. The grumbler is usually a conceited man, and imagines that criticism is an evidence of a great mind, and that his mental superiority enables him to pass judgment upon those around him. This broad conception of his exalted plane arises from the narrowness of his mental horizon. In reality, it takes a very narrow mind to grumble and complain and to find fault. It matters not whether the cause of complaint be real or fancied, the effect on the character of the complainer is the same. The grumblers or murmurers among Israel of old were the special objects of divine wrath. Says the apostle Paul: “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” The journey from Egypt to Canaan was marked by the graves of the grumblers. Korah, Dathan, Abiram, two hundred fifty of the princes of the congregation, besides many others, went down into the pit because of their murmurings against God's providence, and what appeared to them the mistakes of their fellow men. Moses, Caleb, and Joshua looked forward with expectant hope. They endured as seeing Him who is invisible. The greatness of their heaven-appointed mission caused their personal trials and inconveniences to sink into insignificance. Before the criticizing, rebellious, stubborn hearts of their opposers, they could stand unmoved, firm in their loyalty and devotion to God. Not so, however, with the grumblers. Personal grievances and petty annoyances had become so magnified in their minds that they subordinated to these every worthy purpose and future hope. Instead of looking forward they looked backward. Egypt instead of Canaan was their goal. Thus has it been through all the history of the world. The men who have stood for God, who have achieved something worth while in connection with any enterprise, have been the men who have looked forward instead of backward; who have subordinated personalities to principles; who have passed by ignominy and reproach, slights and insults. They have been pushers, and faithful, steady plodders. They have been optimists. By faith they saw visions of great things to be gained. In the contemplation of the objects which possessed their souls, they had no time for trivial incidents. Especially has this been true in Christian work. The heralds of the cross have had respect unto the glorious results to be attained rather than to the sacrifices necessary to their attainment. Their motto, like that of Carey, has been, “Expect great things of God, attempt great things for God.” And like the great apostle to the Gentiles, “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” they have pressed “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” We wish all the grumblers and growlers who read these lines would point out one man or woman in their knowledge in all the history of the world who, possessing their spirit, has accomplished anything in the world's work. They will search in vain for such characters. But while the Lord regards with disfavor this unfortunate disposition of grumbling, his richest blessings are promised to those who with charity and joy and hopefulness, take hold of the tasks committed to them, and faithfully and uncomplainingly labor for their accomplishment. The spirit of divine revelation is the spirit of praise and thanksgiving. Nowhere does God exhort us to complain. Repeatedly does he exhort us to courage and good cheer. The warm hand grasp, the cheery smile, the word of praise and appreciation, accomplish much for God, and for our fellow men. This spirit drives away the gloom, and brings in light and liberty and blessing everywhere. Our fellows need smiles, not frowns, and encouragement rather than faultfinding. Be a lifter for God in his great work for humanity. Keep cheerful and happy. Whatever may be your work, do it pleasantly. Are you a professional man, a tradesman, a mechanic, a farmer, or a housewife, do your work as unto God. Live not for self, but for others. Let no day pass without seeking to help the lives touched by your influence. Do the best you can. Be brave and true, pure and noble. Smile and push. If others fail, reach out the helping hand. If things do not go to your liking, pass it unnoticed. God is over all, and if we keep sweet and sunny and pleasant, it will serve to smooth away much of the roughness of life, and God will bring everything out all right, in the end. So let us keep sweet, and not grumble. If we learn this lesson, we learn the great lesson of practical Christian life.