p. 83 | DON'T BE SULLEN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 6, 1877

DON'T BE SULLEN.

No don't. Don't keep your fine manners for fine days and fine company. It is so easy to be kind, social, courteous, when the sun shines, when the birds sing, when the roses bloom, and all sights and sounds chime in with your cheerful mood; when the gas-lights blaze, the music is merry, and smiles and words of flattery make a holiday for your vanity; but how easy, too, when nature is cross or sullen, to be cross and sullen with her; when there are no roses in the garden, no birds in the boughs, no sun in the sky, no gay company in the drawing-room; when it is dark, and drizzly, and lonely, and all the members of the family are dull and dispirited—is it then the kindly word that leaps first to your lips? Do your eyes smile of themselves? Do the little children grow glad and content in the sunshine of your cheer? Do their games and gleefulness gather inspiration from your presence and sympathetic helpfulness?—then, indeed your temper is tenderness itself, and you need no “exhortation” of mine; for you were born to brighten the day, and smiles quite outdo the sunshine. How blessed to the world is the boon of your being. But to you who are sullen, sour, and disagreeable, when you are not amused or flattered; when you are dull or disappointed, when fickle fortune does not favor your whims; to you whose temper is tart and whose faith frosty save in the very sunniest exposure, I do say, “Mend your manners.”—Sel.