Contentment, or the Happy Secret.
Reader, are you contented? perfectly and resignedly? Then you are a happy one. A contented mind is a continual feast, "Godliness with contentment is great gain." Paul understood this happy secret. Hear him; "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." You have trials! Well, who has not! Joy and pain to all are given,—
In the cup of human life,
E'en as in the April-heaven,
Smiles and tears are still in strife,
Think not that alone thou weepest,
By some present grief opprest;
When in happy dreams thou sleepest,
Other sad hearts long for rest. You have trials. They are the common lot of all. Bear them patiently, and with submission to the will of God. Think not that they are needless. You may derive good from them. You have met with disappointments and who has not? Before you complain, think how much worse it might have been. Cannot you see that, in times past, disappointments have turned out to be mercies? Had your wishes been gratified, they would have proved your loss, perhaps ruin. God crossed your purposes, and saved you. Wait patiently, and, like Job, you will see the end of all dealings with you. You have sustained losses. It was best that you should. In the end you will see it. Even now you will find your loss gain, if you will see your all of unhappiness in God. One smile from him compensates for any loss. You are poor. So is the multitude—so was Christ. He had not where to lay his head. Your dwellings are comfortless, children poorly clad, you may not be able to educate them as you wish. These are sad trials. Make known all your requests to God. He can raise up for you friends and benefactors. He hears the young ravens when they cry. You have sickness and pain. Don't repine; be cheerful. Show to those around you that religion can sustain, and comfort, and bless under all circumstances in life. Be not over anxious about the event. It will work for your good. Perhaps you need nothing more from the hands of God than this sickness and pain. You will arise from that bed a better man. You have had bereavements. Loved ones have been taken from you, and you will see them no more around your hearthstones. It is a sad thing to lose those whom we love. But there is One who, in all our afflictions, is Himself afflicted. He knows how dark and desolate your home is in the absence of the one who has been taken from it. But do not murmur. It is all right and will do good. Be cheerful, be contented. Pray without ceasing. Be it sufficient that the Father's will has been done in "this cup," and let His name be glorified. Happiness is all around thee,
If thou seek'st for it aright;
Darkness doth not so confound thee,
That thou canst not find the light,
If the humblest flower springeth,
In the pathway thou dost tread,
Unto thee some joy it bringeth,
Catch its fragrance ere 'tis fled. Sadly when thy spirit sigheth,
'Neath its weight of anguish bowed,
And upon thy heart there lieth
The dark shadow of a cloud,
Look thou up in faith to Heaven,
God will give thee strength to bear
All that unto thee is given
Of distress, and grief, and care. When thy cup o'erflows with gladness,
Lift thy thankful heart above;
If opprest with fear and sadness,
Trust thy heavenly Father's love.
Thou shalt know each hidden reason
When thine earthly work is done;
Praise him then, in every season,
For the shadow and the sun! [Golden Rule. Selected for REVIEW.]