Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1873 — Grumblers. [ARTICLE]

Grumblers.

This very word suggests in its etymology tne habits of ananimal, whichspends much of its brief life on earth in grunting. The instinct to grumble is one of the meanest of all human instincts. It seems to be sometimes a matter of climate or of general diet in its origin, as whole nations are found characterized by it: and it is apparently sometimes a matter of blood, as it runs in families now and then from generation to generation. More commonly it arises from low intellectual views and narrow habits of moral thoughtfulness, and it is at all times a most contemptible manifestation of personal selfishness. Grumblers make very much of little discomforts, and very little of wonderful blessings. Their own difficulties seem to be great beyond endurance, and those of other people seem so small, that they are quite over-willing to aggravate them still more. They are wanting, therefore, in patience on their own account, and in benevolence toward others. A grumbler frets, or, which is the same thing, chafes away, continually, his own happiness and that of others also. Pitiable, indeed, is the exhibition of human weakness which he makes, and destructive entirely of all high moral influence for good over others. Strength of character, elevation of moral feeling and outwardness of aim in all one’s conduct are necessary requisites to the exertion of any commanding influence upon them. Time istooprecious to be wasted by any one in idleness, or wrong-feeling and action. Out of the richly freighted elements of our probationary lot, although so brief, all that either earth or heaven has in it of good, actual and possible, may by diligence be elaborated and gathered together in growing accumulation of everincreasing joy. Who can afford to be a spendthrift of such amazing possibilities of improvement in moral character and moral happiness? Surely not he who has attained to little moral strength or peace, lest that little should never grow to be more; nor he who has much or it, lest he should not long possess even a fragment of that. There Is no good cause on earth that can be helped by grumbling; there is none that will not be sadly hurt by it, both in the spirit of its abettors, and in the hearts of all spectators; manv of whom would be otherwise ready to join them ere long in sympathy and effort. If knowledge is power, so, much more, are hopefulness and abounding good cheer. The real difficulties of life are inward rather than outward iu their character, and are originated by ourselves far more than by our circumstances. Whether permitted in any case by God, or directly contrived by him, as a needful part of the best possible experience f6r us, they are designed to stimulate us ever to nobler action and never to crush us under the relentlessly revolving wheel of fate. Man was made at the outset to be the conqueror of earth, aud to sway all its elements and forces at his will; and all the grandly connected discipline of Divine Providence has been ever skillfully bent to the g reduction of this one splendid result. ut to rule the outer world and other men, nothing is so needful in each and every man, as to learn, first Of all, to rule himself. How shall an angry man teach others to calm their restless tempers? z How shall one who is selfish inspire them to bonevolence? And howshall he who continually disturbs the peace of those around him, guide any, of them to become light-bearers unto others in their ideas, purposes, manners and very features? Pitiful indeed is the moral temper of that man who can walk fretfully, or even stolidly like a dumb beast,,under the blue canopy above, lightod up by his God for his enjoyment, with brightness and beauty, by day and by night, and over the green earth adorned everywhere with a wonderful fullness of preparations for his comfort and gladness. In whatever direction we look, there are allurements to thought and continual enticements to manly effort, for ourselves and for those dependent in various ways, for happiness, upon our interest in them. And, whatever trials are appointed of God for any and every man, are needful parts of that higher discipline, which, if each one vigorously responds to it aright, will secure his greatest possible progress in moral excellence. “God hath made everything beautiful in its time;’’ “the Whole earth is full of His riches;” “let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” — lnterior.

Sea Swallows, and Fishermen —An interesting association exists between the sea swallows and fishermen of Lake Pallageri, iff Lapland. In the center of this lake is an island, on which the fishermen build their huts in summer. At early dawn the sea swallows gather round these hats, and their cries admonish the occupants that it is time to begin theday’s work. The boats are hardly loosened from their moorings when the birds start out to find a spot where thefishare abundant. The boatmen are governed entirely by the movements of the swallows. When the birds stop and redouble their cites, the fishermen know they have found a spot where they will be repaid for their labor. They hasten forward, cast their nets, and soon have the satisfaction of finding them well fillod. In accordance with the old maxim that the laborer is worthy of his hire, the swallows receive thejr share of the booty. Every fish that the fishermen throw up in the air is gracefully caught by the birds; and, indeed, they are s<? tame that They sometimes come into the boats and help themselves out of the nets. If one spot, becomes non-productive, the birds lead the way to another. ' Toward evening, men and birds return to the island, and the birds hasten to clear the boats of the share left behind for them by the flsher- | men,