My third rule is, "Look on the sunny side of things." "Look up with hopeful eyes, Though all things seem forlorn; The sun that sets to-night will rise The skipping lamb, the singing lark, and the leaping fish tell us that happiness is not confined to one place. God in his goodness has spread it abroad on the earth, in the air, and in the waters. Two aged women lived in the same cottage; one was always fearing a storm, and the other was always looking for sunshine. Hardly need I say which it was wore a forbidding frown, or which it was whose face was lighted up with joy. Said a venerable farmer, some eighty years of age, to a relative who lately visited him, "I have lived on this farm for over half a century. I have no desire to change my residence as long as I live on earth. I have no desire to be any richer than I now am. I have worshipped the God of my fathers with the same people for more than forty years. During that period I have rarely been absent from the sanctuary on the Sabbath, and have never lost but one communion season. I have never been confined to my bed by sickness a single day. The blessings of God have been richly spread around me; and I made up my mind long ago that if I wished to be any happier I must have more religion." NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE. "O, IT's not worth the trouble to dress; I see only my husband." Then, madam, if your husband is not better worth pleasing than a host of "company," it is a pity you are married. Not worth the trouble to look better to him than his merest acquaintances? Not worth the trouble to surround yourself with every grace and fascination that you are capable of? Then, if you are a neglected wife by and by, never complain, for it is your own fault; not worth the trouble" to have a happy it was home. 66 TO MY WIFE. COME hither, dearest one of earth, come sit thee by my side, For thou art e'en more lovely now than when my blushing bride; Departed years have shown thy worth, and tested well thy love, And I have found in thee a friend next to my Friend above. Sweet, kindred soul, my own fond wife! A world of bliss 'mid earthly strife, I bless thee, kindest Heaven, for this, the choicest boon of life. The glow of thy affection pure, the beauty of thy mind, Have round me thrown their golden links, my willing heart to bind ; They 've shed upon my path their rays so sweet, so calm, so bright, That they have changed a darkened world to one of hallowed light: Of earth thou art my Eden fair, The sharer of my joy and care, The blest companion of my heart, in thought, and wish, and prayer. Beloved, when I saw thee first, and met thee as a friend, And only in acquaintanceship our hearts began to blend, My youthful soul was kindled then, and unknown raptures felt; Unconsciously I breathed thy name while in devotion knelt ; And every day, before my eye, Came, like a seraph from the sky, Thy lovely image, dearest one, and in my dreams 'twas nigh. Oft, arm in arm, with joyful steps, o'er flowery fields we trod; Oft, listening to the Sabbath bell, we sought the house of God; And many a blissful hour flew by, when sitting side by side; But happiest was the moment when I took thee as my bride: O then, my beautiful, were given Our pledge to each, our vows to Heaven, And nought hath yet, for three bright years, our deep affection riven. In mutual hope and faithful trust, and in confiding love, Receiving from our Father's hand rich blessings from above, Amid life's duties, toils, and cares, along our pilgrim way Together we have come with joy increasing till to-day; Thou, like a guardian spirit fair, Hast sought my every ill to share: For thee, O precious boon of Heaven, shall rise incessant prayer. O And on our path, and in our home, hath beamed a pre cious light, Replete with new and wondrous charms, in hope and promise bright,— An angel's baby face and form, and laughing life of glee, A golden link of love to bind my heart more close to thee; Amusing, mirthful, elfin girl, A treasure sweet — immortal pearl ! O, ever round our darling may celestial pinions furl. Our little world of peaceful joy, with cloudless sky serene, By sordid hearts and vulgar eyes is never known nor seen; The sweetest bliss can ne'er be found in glittering wealth alone, Nor does it dwell in royal courts, nor on ambition's throne; In hearts of faith and love it springs, And blesses those to whom it clings, Sheltered and sweetly shadowed by its soft, angelic wings. Thou loveliest one of all on earth, of my own self a part, Sweet star of life, serenely bright, Dispelling gloom with purest light, Can such affection know decay, or die in death's dim night? |