p. 99 | Serious and Cheerful

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 30, 1857

Serious and Cheerful.

THERE is a good old system of somebody's which says, "Be cheerfully serious, and seriously cheerful." It is preached up to young people most commonly, frequently to their great annoyance in moments of frivolity. They "wish it had never been known; at least that it had never come to their ears. They are quite sure it was never designed for them. Even the Bible says there is a time for everything, and youth must be the time for pleasure and gaiety. It is unreasonable to suppose that they should be serious and sedate as old grandmothers: they like a bit of fun. When a few years are passed over their heads, and their ardent spirits are borne down by cares, troubles, and perplexities, then they will think of the maxim. That will be quite soon enough. Old people are so unreasonable. They forget that they were once young themselves, and loved a bit of pleasure as well as anybody else.

"Ah!" says one, "I have often thought so myself and the maxim seems to me so difficult; how can I always be so cheerful? or, as I have heard it expressed, serious, but not sad; cheerful but not light?"

Permit one who has in some measure, learned the secret, to offer one or two suggestions. They may, perhaps, prove acceptable to any sincere souls, who wish to order their conversation aright, to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things, to avoid the appearance of evil, whether young or old; but to none besides. Many a Christian reader will remember the time when levity in company has been followed by sting in solitude. How often has he retired to his chamber, saying with bitterness, "How foolish I appeared! Where was my religion? Who would know that I was a Christian? What harm may my inconsistent conduct have occasioned? When shall I be wise?" Now, to avoid the unhappy reflections, be "cheerfully serious, and seriously cheerful." But how? Endeavor to be always recollected. Strive to realize the presence and favor of God continually. Then the whole difficulty will disappear; the former will irresistibly produce seriousness; and the latter cheerfulness. You will appreciate these sweet words,

---sin against the Majesty "I cannot --- Of omnipresent love!"

If you deeply feel "God is here," you cannot be trifling; and if you feel, "I am his, he smiles on me," you cannot be sad and gloomy. To exemplify the disposition prescribed in our maxim will then be your element.—Lon. Youth's Instructor.