Occupation

– What a glorious thing is occupation for the human heart! Those who work hard seldom yield themselves up to fancied or real sorrow. When grief sits down, folds its hands, and mournfully feeds upon its own tears, weaving the dim shadows, that a little exertion might sweep away, into a funeral pall, the strong spirit is shorn of its might, and sorrow becomes our master. When troubles flow upon you, dark and heavy, toil not with the waves – wrestle not with the torrent! Rather seek, by occupation, to divert the dark waters that threaten to overwhelm you in a thousand channels, which the duties of life always present. – Before you dream of it, those waters will fertilize the present, and give birth to fresh flowers that may brighten the future – flowers that will become pure and holy, in the sunshine which penetrates to the path of duty, in spite of every obstacle. Grief, after all, is but a selfish feeling; and most selfish is the man who yields himself to the indulgence of any passion which brings no joy to his fellow-men.