Just Hum a Tune and Smile

JUST HUM A TUNE, AND SMILE. (For the Improvement Era.) Do you ever pause to notice, as you pass along your way, What a lot of solemn people there are 'round us every day? With their look of hungry sorrow, and unutterable woe, Like animated icicles, as through the world they go. I'm not surprised if each one, in a world of toil and care, Of pain and disappointment, at some time have had their share; Still wouldn't it be best, instead of mourning all the while, To loosen up a little, and just hum a tune and smile? See that fellow passing now! Note how he hangs his head! He's met some little trial, and he's envying the dead; Hasn't got the moral courage to just brace himself and stay With his faith firm fixed in God above, to help him win the day. With his faith firm fixed in God? Why, he's never thought to pray For our Father's unseen forces to assist him on his way How infinitely better this, than turning to revile; To simply say, "God knoweth best," then hum a tune, and smile. 'Tis not the austere person — the one of haughty mien That has the greatest wisdom. Why, some people I have seen, With their look of solemn learning, have hearts as black as night! To me, the learned person is the one whose face is bright With the glow of sweet good nature, who loves his fellow man, And in each small endeavor does the very best he can, Then leaves the rest with God, and turns away, meanwhile, To prosecute some other task, and hum a tune, and smile. Oh, the power there is in humming, though it be some simple air! Seems to melt its way right to the heart, and find an echo there; Seems to gather up the sunshine, and stamp it on the face, While cares and disappointments go a-flying into space Seems to penetrate each fibre, makes the weary eye grow bright! Where before was inky darkness, lo, we now see heaven's light, And Peace, God's holiest blessing, will our vexing cares beguile, If we will only trust in Him, and hum a tune, and smile. Lorenzo J. Haddock. Salt Lake City, Utah.

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