If we pursue our analysis farther, we shall find that the men who (illegible text) society are not the brilliant ones, but rather those who, in a worldly sense, understand the science of life; i.e., who best understand themselves and their fellow-man. but it is not our province nor intention to enter further into the subject, nor to point out the best way of attaining happiness; but simply to suggest that much instruction may be gained by all from an occasional look within—that we may understand ourselves, and, comparing the paths by which we seek happiness with those pursued by others, we may draw a useful inference from the comparison; and that thus learning to know ourselves and life, we may become the better for the "look within."
Gentle Words.
Many men, as if to show how little they care for living in peace with their fellows, openly cast aside the truest means of doing so. There are innumerable things belonging to everyday life, which, if we take them in their true an proper light, will most certainly give us what wealthy power, and their concomitants will fail to give,—namely, true peace of mind, and a more real and enduring happiness than we can ever derive from any material advantage. Amongst all the many ways of acquiring and conferring enjoyment, there are none which more simply or more effectually conduce to this end than the constant and kindly habit of speaking "gentle words."
To the geniality of men, the word poverty implies a want of wealth—a want of material comforts, on the possession of which depends our happiness, then, at present, we are poor indeed. Gold, we have none—comforts and pleasures to us are "few and far between," and even in the future, there is more than a probability that, for some years at least, the position of many will not change for the better. A short time since, many of us might have believed, and no doubt disbelieve, that in those material possession, were included the only real good. Now qwe know better. A great teacher—Adversity—has taught us. We know now that without gold, or power, or position we may be rich and powerful: rich in better things—rich in the possession of a means of becoming happy ourselves—powerful in being able to confer happiness on others. Gentle words are boons which we all possess and have in our power to bestow: and here, under the dark clouds of misfortune, they constitute our wealth and our power. We know, from our experience of life, how keen is the edge of an unkind word; we know also that when addressed to anyone dear to us, it has a double edge, and inflicts a wound upon ourselves as well as those to whom it is spoken. All round us there are sensitive hearts, and our unkind words wound also with a double edge, and cut us as keenly as those of others. Harsh words have a scorpion sting to pain and wound the heart: gentle words have an angel’s power to give and to bring peace; they sink on the disturbed mind of the afflicted as oil on the troubled waters; and even on the unsettled heart of the erring one they fall with a grateful and soothing tone. gentle words give pleasure to the speaker, and their power does not cease even there. No, no, gentle words are immortal;—slight they may be and unheeded even by ourselves,—they may have been called forth by trivial matters that have left no trace in our memories—but the good words—the gentle words—will live and last forever.
It is certain that we can by attention and perseverance, acquire a habit of doing almost anything, even things which are most disagreeable at first. Would it not be deserving of some little exertion auld we acquire a habit of giving pleasure to ourselves, and to others at the same time? Gentle words will do this for us: They will mark those around us happy: and the smile beaming from their eyes will intensify their enjoyments of this life, and change the clouds that may linger above us into bright and golden tints.
The Useful.
The useful is the trunk and bough of the tree, the ornamental the leaves: the most useful man is the most valuable member of society. We are fast approaching, and about to become denizens of, a colony as
