their great Benefactor, and virtually claim wisdom, more than infinite. They covet, they wish, and wishes are as prolific as rabbits. One imaginary want, like a stool pigeon, brings flocks of others, and the mind becomes so overwhelmed, that it loses sight of all the real comforts in possession.

Contentment consisteth not in adding more fuel, but in taking away some fire; not in multiplying wealth, but in subtracting men's desires. Worldly riches, like nuts, tear men's clothing in getting them, spoil men's teeth in cracking them, but fill no belly in eating them. When Alexander saw Diogenes sitting in the warm sun, and asked what he should do for him? he desired no more than that Alexander would stand out of his sunshine, and not take from him what he could not give. A quiet and contented mind is the supreme good; it is the utmost felicity a man is capable of in this world: and the maintaining of such an uninter rupted tranquility of spirit is the very crown and glory of wisdom.

Nature teaches us to live, but wisdom teaches us to live contented. Contentment is opposed to fortune and opinion-it is the wealth of nature, for it gives everything we either want or need The discontents of the poor are much easier allayed than those of the rich. Solon being asked by Croesus, who in the world was happier than himself, answered, Tellus; who, though he was poor, was a good man, and content with what he had, and died in a good old age. No line holds the anchor of contentment so fast as a good conscience. This cable is so strong, and compact, that

when force is offered to it, the straining rather strength ens, by uniting the parts more closely.

Those who are contented with a little deserve much; and those who deserve much are far the more likely persons to be contented with a little. Contentment is oftener made of cheap materials than of dear ones. What a glorious world this would be, if all its inhab itants could say with Shakespeare's shepherd: "Sir, I am a true laborer, I earn that I wear; owe no man hate; envy no man's happiness; glad of other men's good, contented with my farm." Half the discontent in the world arises from men regarding themselves as centers, instead of the infinitesimal segments, of circles. Be contented with enough; you may butter your bread until you are unable to eat it. Enough is as good as a feast. When you feel dissatisfied with your circumstances, look at those beneath you. There are minds, said John Quincy Adams, which can be pleased by honors and preferments, and I can see nothing in them save envy and enmity. It is only necessary to possess them to know how little they contribute to happiness. I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage, with my books, my family, and a few old friends, dining upon simple bacon and hominy and letting the world roll on as it likes, than to occupy the most high places which human power can give.

Cheerfulness.

God bless the cheerful person-man, woman or child, old or young, illiterate or educated, handsome or homely. Over and above every other social trait stands cheerfulness. What the sun is to nature, what the stars are to night, what God is to the stricken heart which knows how to lean upon Him, are cheerful persons in the house and by the wayside. Man recognizes the magic of a cheerful influence in woman more quickly and more willingly than the potency of dazzling genius, of commanding worth, or even of enslaving beauty.

If we are cheerful and contented, all nature smiles with us; the air seems more balmy, the sky more clear, the ground has a brighter green, the trees have a richer foliage, the flowers a more fragrant smell, the birds sing more sweetly, and the sun, moon and stars all appear more beautiful.

Cheerfulness! How sweet in infancy, how lovely in youth, how saintly in age! There are a few noble natures whose very presence carries sunshine with them wherever they go; a sunshine which means pity for the poor, sympathy for the suffering, help for the unfortunate, and benignity toward all. How such a face enlivens every other face it meets, and carries into every company vivacity and joy and gladness! But the scowl and frown, begotten in a selfish heart, and manifesting itself in daily, almost hourly fretfulness, complaining, fault-finding, angry criticisms, spite

ful comments on the motives and actions of others, how they thin the cheek, shrivel the face, sour and sadden the countenance! No joy in the heart, no nobility in the soul, no generosity in the nature; the whole character as cold as an iceberg, as hard as Alpine rock, as arid as the wastes of Sahara! Reader, which of these countenances are you cultivating? If you find yourself losing all your confidence in human nature, you are nearing an old age of vinegar, of wormwood and of gall; and not a mourner will follow your solitary bier, not one tear-drop shall ever fall on your forgotten grave.

Look at the bright side. Keep the sunshine of a living faith in the heart. Do not let the shadow of discouragement and despondency fall on your path. However weary you may be, the promises of God will never cease to shine, like the stars at night, to cheer and strengthen. Learn to wait as well as labor. The best harvests are the longest in ripening. It is not pleasant to work in the earth plucking the ugly tares and weeds, but it is as necessary as sowing the seed. The harder the task, the more need of singing. A hopeful spirit will discern the silver lining of the darkest cloud, for back of all planning and doing, with its attendant discouragements and hindrances, shines the light of Divine promise and help. Ye are God's husbandmen. It is for you to be faithful. He gives the increase.

Be cheerful, for it is the only happy life. The times may be hard, but it will make them no easier to wear a gloomy and sad countenance. It is the sunshine and

not the cloud that makes the flower.

There is always that before or around us which should fill the heart with warmth. The sky is blue ten times where it is black once. You have troubles, it may be. So have others. None are free from them. Perhaps it is as well that none should be. They give sinew and tone to life-fortitude and courage to man. That would be a dull sea, and the sailor would never get skill, where there was nothing to disturb the surface of the ocean. It is the duty of every one to extract all the happiness and enjoyment he can without and within him, and, above all, he should look on the bright side of things. What though things do look a little dark? The lane will turn, and the night will end in broad day. In the long run, the great balance rights itself. What is ill becomes well; what is wrong becomes right. Men are not made to hang down either heads or lips; and those who do, only show that they are departing from the paths of true common sense and right. There is more virtue in one sunbeam than a whole hemisphere of cloud and gloom. Therefore. we repeat, look on the bright side of things. Culti vate what is warm and genial-not the cold and repul sive, the dark and morose. Don't neglect your duty: live down prejudice.

We always know the cheerful man by his hearty "good morning." As well might fog, and cloud, and vapor hope to cling to the sun-illumined landscape, as the blues and moroseness to remain in any countenance when the cheerful one comes with a hearty "good morning." Dear reader, don't forget to say it. Say