THE CHARM OF BRIGHTNESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2727, 20 June 1906, Page 65

THE CHARM OF BRIGHTNESS.

Tho heart that makes its own delight

Makes joy for other hearts,

You all know them, I am sure, my comrades — the bright, sunny-hearted ones, who never n&ed to flutter from place to place in search of pleasure, do not nead to be continually surrounded by a bevy of acquaintances, or to plunge into a whirl of excitement in order to the enjoyment of their days, for they have in themselves a perpetual wellspring of happiness. Sometimes this spirit dwells in a young girl; she bids fair To bear through sorrow, wrong, and ruth. In her heart the dew of youth. Without being frivolous, she is bright and pleasant, finding in her work, of whatever nature it may be, not cause for fretful-nes-i and repining, but rather a suitable outlet for her skill and energy. Her mother, who is beginning to feel her duties press heavily, gives thanks for thia sun-shine-bearer ; and ther father, tired by evening, feels the restfulness of the presence of one who, keeping self in the background, seems always to have A heart at leisure from itself To sooth and sympathise. And as I write, there comes to my remembrance one whom I was privileged to know. Her beautiful hair was white with a silvery whiteness ; her dear face bore traces of sorrows many and deep —

sorrows and wrongs which well might have embittered her life, — yet her heart was young and" fresh still with its own sweet cheerfulness, its own sweet sympathy and interest in all with whom she came in contact, over whom 6he shed the reflection of her >wn bright faith in God and her fellow beings. And when, at a^full age, death touched her, those left behind could well exclaim, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." A happy spirit is a gracious presence anywhere — unseen, but felt. Any gathering, any society, with 6uch in its members, has chances of exerting good influence, far above those without. But nowhere is the joyous heaTt such a boon as in the home, especially where the members are many. Friction is impossible where cheerfulness and an indwelling delight shed their presence and influence ; and what is more disturbing to a 6ense of rest than friction? The happy heart is never ready to take offence at petty slights, fancied or real; never imagines its burdens heavier than those of others. It always looks on thw bright side of things, even though it may take some turning about of matters to find it. It is infinitely more disposed to sing than moan ; to read in every leaf and flower some sweet, helpful lesron of hope and -trust and courage. It is never unready to give at the needed hour the cheery word, the bright smile of encouragement, thus passing on some of its own delight to others. A friendly smile, and Love's embering spark Leaps into flame, and illuminates the dark ; A whispered "Be brave to our fellowmen And they pick up the thread of hope again. And so the beneficent influence goes on,

passing from one to another in ever-widen-ing radius.

• That the heart '"makes its own delight often with but scant assistance from outward circumstances is well known, for while one who appears to have so much that might contribute to it — wealth, friends, health — carries a heavy heart and saJ countenance, a murmuring and rebellious temper, another, whose days are passed on a bed of sickness, from which there is no escape but death, will be to all around a sweet example of patience and joy; and well she may, foi the source of both is deep. She knows that if sickness and pain be the hardest ill of all For mortal heart and flesh to bear in peace, It is the one comes straightest from God's

hand And makes us fee 1 Him nearest to ourselves. And experience has taught her that in such nearness there is exceeding joy. Another, who leads a life of ease, free from care or the necessity for toil, groans beneath a weight of selfishness and unrest ; while one whose every hour is filled with toil finds in the conscientious fulfilment of that toil a joyousness that reflects on all around. Indeed, it is very likely that delights are scarce for many — I mean delights wholly apart from themselves, that cost money or time, for work of some kind occupies almost their every hour ; it may even be uncongenial, for, aias ! there are many who cannot choose their work or tLeir surroundings. All honour to them, then, if they bravely and patiently carry it through. "Nor is joy shut out of necessity from .such : their honesty )f purpose and conscientious performance of each distasteful duty must bring to them a great measure of joy. Knowledge or wealth to -few is given, But mark how just the laws of heaven : True joy to all is free. Nor wealth nor kaowledge grant the boon, "Tis thine, oh, conscience, thine alone, It all belongs to thee. Seeing, then, that the source of delight — the source .no outward circumstances may blight — is within the power of all to

possess, it is a pity, indeed, to carry about a heart of lead or a countenance indicative of it as we pass in and out of our home* , among our friends and fellow toilers, for if the heart that makes its own delight makes joy for other hearts, so also does the heart that makes heaviness for itself cause a depression of spirits ; and as the former exerts ,\ beneficent influence, and the latter the reverse, it is well to cultivate gladeomeness of heart, co that what small portion of influence is ours to exert may tend towards increase of happiness, for tend one way or other it must-

One prayed aloud his thanks, and many heard; But when he passed forth from the house of prayer He wore upon his face his secrets bare, While those who met him sighed, and thought with pain Of all the year had brought them, of the reign Of grief and sorrow on this earth of ours. One wore upon his face the smile of peace. As if he held communion close with God, And loved the world and all who on it trod; And those who met him smiled and thought how fair The world must ba to him, and straightway there Rose in their hearts a glad thanksgiving song.

Would not any of us, my dear friends, be glad to know that aught in our countenance or deportment had given like inspiration !