Is wealth the only thing upon earth that can render u happy? Such would seem to be our conclusion, if we ar to judge from the innumerable schemes and projects, whic What an increasing desire t are entered into by men. amass wealth! For it the farmer and mechanic deny them selves all recreation-for it, the warrior perils his life i the field of battle-for it, the sailor careers upon the deep and struggles in his fragile barque with the fury of th elements. And what does it avail, when the shadows c age are stealing upon us? What does it profit us, when long life has been worn out in its accumulation, and w find ourselves feeble and exhausted? Will it give back to us the gaiety of our youth? Will it change the color o our hoary locks? Will it impart new colour to our faded and withered cheeks? Will it add a single hour to our ex istence? No: these things it cannot do; and we are oblig ed to part from our possessions, when we are just prepar ing to enjoy them. What is the advantage of our great opulence? Can we der us ve are which esire to y them s life in The deep, ry of the adows of when a and we back to color of r faded o our ex ire oblig. t prepar Can we precious than the xpensive than we more attentive to the cries of suffering humanity, when we have increased our riches? Are we more worthy and honorable, now that fawning sycophants pour upon us their adulation? Why is the counte It is a strange delusion for men to suppose, that happiness consists in riches. Contentment is not to be found in splendor and magnificence; or why is it that princes sometimes exchange the grandeur of a palace for the more simple enjoyments of private life? nance of the rich man furrowed with thought and anxiety, while the poor go on their way shouting and exulting in the blessings which God hath given them? Why does the man who has grown in wealth, look back to the days of his poverty, and ask himself why he cannot now rejoice as heartily over the much, as he did over the little? * We are told by one of the wise men of old, that many are poor with great property; and many also are rich, yet hath nothing. Every day's experience will attest the truth of the maxim. It is not whether we possess great or limited estates, that is to determine our wealth or poverty. It is the manner in which they are appropriated to our use. The labourer, with his crust of bread at the side of a clear fountain, is richer than the seaman who is starving upon the ocean for the want of food, with all the treasures of India. It is the rational enjoyment of our wealth that constitutes us rich. Gaining is very properly termed an art. Children are instructed in it by their parents, as though it were the most important and indispensible part of their education. But to enjoy their gains, with wisdom and prudence, is an art of more inestimable value, which they know but little about. The world may deem thee poor, because thou hast fewer earthly blessings than others. Of this thou shouldst not complain. Thou canst be rich, even in thy poverty. He only is poor who will not partake of the happiness that is prepared for him. Limit thy wants, and thou wilt possess every thing that is needful. A cottage will shelter thee as well as a palace. There are many things with which thou canst easily dispense. Do not imitate the foolish vanities of the rich. It will involve thee in expense and thou wilt only be despised by them for thy pains. Esteem only the friendship of those who respect thee for thy good qualities. All else are flatterers. Do not be afraid of being called a miser because thou art economical. It will enable thee to exercise thy benevolence, and assist those who are poorer than thyself. This will prepare for thee new happiness. Thou wilt despise the foolish recklessness of thy fellow mortals. Thy industry will support thee and thy family without being dependent upon others. Only then wilt thou feel a consciousness of thy own superiority. Only then wilt thou feel that peace and serenity of mind, to which thou before aspired in vain. 4 Those who are poor in earthly treasures, yet rich in contentment, are the most useful members of society. They are not tramelled by the prejudices of custom and education. The most distinguished and virtuous men of anti quity were poor. The pressure of circumstances, and the wonderful self-denial which distinguished their lives, seems to have added an increased grandeur and sublimity to their genius. Our Saviour was an indigent wanderer upon the earthstill he was infinitely rich. He was the benefactor of all who came unto him. He was despised and neglected, but now he is worshipped by kings and princes. Often he knew not where to lay his head, yet he was able to give a ransom to the whole world. Neither were his disciples chosen from among the sons of the great and noble; but he sought them in the depths of poverty, and lo! a Peter and Paul came forth, and the idolatrous temple of the heathens disappeared, and the church of Christ rose upon its ruins. He who understands the art of being rich in poverty, will escape its greatest evils. Where there is indigence, there is some other dispensation of providence which places the poor on a level with the rich. One is blooming with health, while the other is undergoing all the evils of idleness and luxury. The former is delighted with some trifling gift, while the latter is miserable with the most costly treasures. The poor man slumbers as sweetly upon his bed of straw, as the prince upon his couch of damask and silk. He has greater opportunities of enjoyment, because he has not so much care and responsibility to disturb his mind. The more varied our transactions in life, the more chances have we of trouble and anxiety. The rich have more enemies than the honest and unas 4 suming poor. Their faults are rendered more glarin the station which they occupy in society. Envy does seek its victims in obscurity. He, therefore, who liv public life, makes a sacrifice of his domestic happi Poverty also tends to develope the noblest powers of soul. But why do I extol its pleasures, or its advantag No one can doubt of their existence, nor that our Crea has given a light for every shadow. The world may think me rich; but notwithstanding my industry, economy and enterprize, I am much poo than I desire. I cannot benefit others, because I have many unnecessary wants of my own. If I could live te perately, what abundance there wonld be in store for Why do I make myself unhappy by the multitude of desires? Why do I not seek for contentment-the m inestimable of all earthly treasures? I will renour every thing that is not essential to my existence. Custo may be difficult to overcome, but I will arm myself wi a firm resolution. I will not heed the malice of my neig bors who may dislike me because I have forsaken the foolish ways. I will be better able than they to assist a comfort my needy friends. As my pride and sensuali diminish-as I learn to triumph over the grovelling ple sures of the world, so will my mind increase in purity ar strength, and my soul be fitted for the enjoyments heaven. |