WE were in company the other day, with a gentleman, apparently fifty or sixty years of age, who used in substance the following language:— Were I to live my life over again, I should make it a point to do a kindness to a fellow-being whenever I had the opportunity. I regret very much that my habit has been so different, and that I have indulged feelings so unlike those which would lead to such a course of life. It has been too much my way to let others take care of themselves, while I took care of myself. If some little trespass was committed on my rights, or if I suffered some slight inconvenience from the thoughtlessness or selfishness of others, I was greatly annoyed, and sometimes used harsh, reproachful language toward the offender. I am now satisfied that my own happiness was greatly impaired by this course, and that my conduct and example contributed to the irritation and unhappiness of others. “It was but the other day,” continued the gentleman, “that I was passing along the street, and a coachman was attempting to draw a light carriage into a coach-house. He tried once or twice without success, and just as I came up the carriage occupied the whole sidewalk, and prevented my passing. The fellow looked as if it ought not to be exactly so, and there was something like a faint apology in his smile. It was on my tongue to say, ‘In with your wagon, man! and don’t let it stand here blocking up the passage.’ But an influence prevailed. I went to the rear of the carriage, and said, ‘Now, try again, my good fellow!’ while, with the end of my umbrella, I gave a little push, and in the carriage went, and out came the pleasant ‘Thank ye, sir; much obliged.’ I would not have taken a twenty-dollar bank note for the streak of sunshine that this one little act of kindness threw over the rest of my walk, to say nothing of the lighting up of the coachman’s countenance.” “And when I look back upon my intercourse with my fellow-men all the way along, I can confidently say, that I never did a kindness to any human being, without being happier for it. So that, if I were governed by mere selfish motives, and wished to live the happiest life I could, I would just simply obey the Bible precepts, to do good to all men as I had the opportunity.” This was said with an air of sincerity and deep conviction, which we cannot give to our report of it. And does the experience of the youngest of our readers confirm or contradict the statement? Is there a boy or girl among all of them who can say: “I did a kind act once to my brother or my sister, or playmate, and was afterward sorry for it—I should have been happier if it had been an unkind one?” It is very likely that a kind act has been ill requited, perhaps misconstrued—but if it was performed with proper feelings, it is as certain to produce happiness as sunshine is to produce warmth. We counsel our friends, then, to seize every opportunity of contributing to the good of others. Sometimes a smile will do it. Oftener a kind word, a look of sympathy, or an acknowledgment of obligation. Sometimes a little help to a burdened shoulder, or a heavy wheel, will be in place. Sometimes a word or two of good counsel, a seasonable and gentle admonition, and at others, a suggestion of advantage to be gained and a little interest to secure it, will be received with lasting gratitude. And thus every instance of kindness done, whether acknowledged or not, opens up a little well-spring of happiness in the doer’s own breast, the flow of which may be made permanent habit.—Sabbath Recorder.