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tat ions, to complaints and murmurs against God and Heaven, and to 
despair and melancholy ? A good or a wicked Christian ? 
There is no doubt that if we consult experience, we shall find that a 
slight annoyance, a trifling loss or misfortune, a thing of no account, so 
to speak, is enough to drive a wicked man to frenzy or alas! to suicide; 
while a pious Christian, who loves God, can hear a far heavier cross much 
better; for although he feels it, especially if he is possessed of a sensitive 
nature, yet the bitterness of his suffering, the heavy weight of his cross, 
will not press long upon him, before he has recourse to God for strength. 
A single prayer or Communion, is enough to make him resigned to 
the will of God; and, therefore, although his eyes are filled with tears, his 
heart is full of consolation and contentment. 
Think not him joyful who doth wear 
Ever a smile—’tis but to hide 
The troubled thoughts of anxious care 
That in his inmost heart abide. 
Think not him joyful who has wealth. 
Whom fortune favors with her gold; 
It cannot buy the flush of health;— 
True joy is neither bought nor sold. 
But think him joyful, call him blest, 
Who round his path has friends to love; 
Who has a conscience well at rest, 
And puts his trust in One above. 
Ay, he is joyful! he can brave 
The world with its besetting care; 
And when the portals of the grave 
Open to view—be joyful there. 
—John S. Adams. 
