Article February 17, 1912 Issue

THE TRUE CONCEPT OF HAPPINESS

HENRY L. UPTON.

In ancient Rome the vast multitudes who assembled in the arena to witness the fierce combat between the gladiators fancied that they found delight in that barbarous amusements. The more cruel and merciless the engagement, the more pleasure they seemed to derive from it. This kind of pastime, in the modernized form of bull-fight, existed in Mexico until recently, and may still be seen in Spain. In our own country the prize-fight with its attendant evils is the present-day gladiatorial conflict.

The inebriate who seeks self-gratification in drunkenness or in the indulgence of evil passions and false appetites, does so that he may find pleasure in them. As he sinks deeper and deeper in sin, and it becomes more and more his master, he learns through sad experience that the punishment for wrong-doing far exceeds the transient sense of satisfaction therefrom, and he has only to learn the true meaning of happiness and the way thereto, to turn from his former course with loathing. The man of wealth, who has spent years and every means at his command to amass a fortune, learns that happiness is not to be secured in that way, for at any time the fluctuation of the market or failure of a bank may sweep it from him. At its best, money will not buy health, peace, contentment; instead, it is often a burden, and sometimes it fastens selfishness on one, thus bringing a state of discontent and unhappiness. Many have realized the fruitlessness of such endeavors, and have tried to make amends for the avarice and greed thus expressed by giving vast sums for educational and charitable purposes.

Some have imagined that by delving in the subtilities of philosophy or diving into the mysteries of material knowledge the way to happiness might be revealed and a solution to life's problem attained; nevertheless, after years of research, study, and experiment, the conclusion is reached that material hypotheses are constantly changing, and what is supposed to be true today will have to be altered, revised, or wholly abandoned tomorrow. Furthermore, many who are leaders in human opinion admit that they have lost faith or confidence in God, thereby separating themselves from the only true source of happiness.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

WILLING AND OBEDIENT