Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

adding to his possessions, until all the treasures of earth were at his disposal-he would be no nearer that fulness which would satisfy him, than when he commenced. His desire for riches would not be gratified; but it would rage with an increased fury of a thousand fold! And this is accounted for on the plain ground, that in such a disposition, all the means taken to satisfy his desires have but increased them. It is like heaping fuel upon the fire, which, so far from extinguishing the flame, has but increased its intensity. Every acquisition of wealth has but augmented his love of wealth, and increased his cravings to accumulate it. And if he was to go on for ever in this career, he would remain for ever dissatisfied; because his appetite would increase ad infinitum, in exact ratio with the abundance of its gratification!

As to contentment, such a slave to avarice is a perfect stranger to its joys! In vain does he fix upon some landmark, where all his desires for wealth shall be fully gratified, and contentment be allowed to settle upon his soul. When he arrives at this bound, he finds that his wishes are still in advance of his possessions, and that he is as far or farther from being satisfied than ever before. There are probably few, if any in community, more dissatisfied with their present circumstances, than the avaricious man. He feels a hungering which nothing can satisfy; and is eagerly looking to the future, for that fulness which he does not

now possess, and which, indeed, earth has not treasures sufficient to gratify.

Let those who would enjoy the blessings of contentment, avoid all borrowing of trouble, all disposition to imagine the future to be full of every conceivable evil, ready to break upon their devoted heads. Some people, surrounded by all the comforts of life, and having every reason to be contented, are nevertheless constantly engaged in drawing on the future for any supply of troubles that they may be deficient in at present.

Something they must have that will enable them to repine at their unhappy lot, and make themselves miserable. Finding nothing around them in actual existence to give them vexation of spirit, they direct their attention to things to come, and from all the imaginable and possible misfortunes which are hid in the future scenes of life, they strive to see how many they can fear, by the utmost stretch of credulity, will come upon themselves! Poverty, or sickness, or disasters, "by field, or flood, or fire," are impending over them, in imagination! Thus they make themselves discontented and unhappy. While they might enjoy much comfort by duly appreciating the blessings within their reach, they are nearly as wretched as they would De, were they actually enduring the evils they anticipate with so much pain.

Troubles come sufficiently fast, in the natural course of events, without running in advance to seek imaginary ones. Those who are wise, wil.

make up their minds to take the world as it comes, and be satisfied with it. When this disposition is cherished, we shall find more to afford pleasure than to give pain-more of sunshine than of darkness-more of budding Spring than of seared Autumn! Whoever has a sufficiency of means to supply all natural wants-cultivates a cheerful spirit-cherishes a kind and benevolent disposition, and maintains a clear conscience towards God and man-possesses all the elements of contentment and satisfaction. Let our dependance be placed upon our Maker let our hopes be enlightened by the truths of the Gospel-let our minds and impulses be guided and controlled by the moral principles of the religion of the Saviour-let the "things above" have an important place in our affectionsand then the world may go as it will, contentment will be our companion, and peace will make its abode in our hearts.

CHAPTER IV.

MANNER AND STYLE OF LIVING.

"Insolent pride, * **

The topmost crag of the great precipice
Surmounts-to rush to ruin."

To a youthful couple who are just commencing married life, the subject of house-keeping, and the general style in which they should live, is one of great importance. They should make it a topic of much forethought and deliberation, that they may be prepared to act prudently and wisely. The selection or construction of a dwelling-the description of furniture with which it is to be filled -together with the appearance which they would exhibit in these respects-all depend upon contingencies which grow out of necessity and propriety. It would be manifestly improper for those who are wealthy, and who move in high circles, to live in a manner corresponding with those who, from necessity, are compelled to deprive themselves of many of the comforts of life. And equally improper would it be for those whose pecuniary means are quite limited, to strive to imitate the profusion. and elegance of the wealthy.

The wise Creator has allowed these distinctions of property and rank, and it is not to be expected from the nature of man, that those who occupy different grades will live in the same fashion and style. There is an innate sense of propriety—an ability to appreciate the fitness of things-existing in most minds, which they should very frequently consult in making preparations for house-keeping. It should not be forgotten on such occasions, that prudence, economy, and moderation, have claims upon them, as well as pride and fashion.

The first questions which those should ask themselves who are preparing a place of residence, should be--What is our station?—in what grade of society do we move ?-how are we estimated by the community in which we reside?-what are our resources and our prospects? And in accordance to the answers which they can honestly return to these inquiries, should be their plans of living. In addition to these questions, it may not be amiss to ask themselves, what will community expect of us, from our station and circumstances, in regard to the style in which we shall live? Although I would not have the youthful who are thus maturing their plans pay too much attention to the views of others, or to the behests of fashion, yet they should have some regard to public opinion and expectation on this subject. The public generally have quite a unanimous estimation as to the style in which people of different professions, occupations, and ranks should live and this esti

« AnteriorContinuar »