Be Happy

The desire to be happy, beyond all doubt, simply must be a natural desire. It is the law of life itself that every being seeks and strives toward the perfection of its kind, the realization of its own specific ideal in form and function, and a true harmony with its environment. Every drop of sap in the tree flows toward foliage and fruit. Every drop of blood in the bird beats toward flight and song. In a conscious being this movement toward perfection must take a conscious form.

This conscious form is happiness,—the satisfaction of the vital impulse,—the rhythm of the inward life,—the melody of a heart that has found its keynote. To say that all men long for this is simply to confess that all men are human, and that their thoughts and feelings are an essential part of their life. Virtue means a completed manhood. The joyful welfare of the soul belongs to the fullness of that ideal.

Holiness may be likened to wholeness. In striving to realize the true aim of our being, we find the wish for happiness implanted in the very heart of our effort.

Blessed" is the word. "Happy" is the meaning. Nine times He rings the changes on that word, like a silver bell sounding from His fair temple on the mountain-side, calling all who long for happiness to come to Him and find rest for their souls.


Christ never asks us to give up merely for the sake of giving up, but always in order to win something better. He comes not to destroy, but to fulfill,—to fill full,—to replenish life with true, inward, lasting riches. His gospel is a message of satisfaction, of attainment, of felicity. Its voice is not a sigh, but a song. Its final word is a benediction, a good-saying. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

"A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
 All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
 Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.
 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
 A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway."
Proverbs 15: 13-19