Article June 29, 1929 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from Frank Price, H. C. Culbertson, John Macphie, Elmore McKee, Ashley Day Leavitt

[From an article by the Rev. Frank Price, in Great Thoughts, London, England]

Happiness is the lure of the human race. It is seldom realized in life with complete success, yet we are always hunting it with the sane conviction in our hearts that, by right, it ought to be ours. The instinct is a sound one. Everyone ought to be happy. Happiness is the normal condition of a perfectly healthy human soul. Epictetus, a good many centuries ago, hit it off correctly when he said, "If a man is not happy it must be his own fault, for God made all men to be happy." Men, and women too, have strange notions of what constitutes happiness. Nothing outside a man can make him completely happy. The treasures kept in the strong room are not real, but only those kept in the soul. "The kingdom of God," said the greatest Master of life, "is within you." The world outside is a bluff. Shortsighted and empty-souled beings imagine that if only they had wealth they would be eternally happy. Happiness to them means money, motors, mansions, maids, many clothes, and magnificent jewels, But one only need know a little of such supposed fortunates to be disabused of the idea that riches constitute happiness. Happiness just comes. It is a disposition; a right outlook. Byron wrote,

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