But you will tell me, in the last place, that “you cannot believe
most believers are happy, because they are so solemn and
serious.” You think that they do not really possess this
happiness I have been describing, because their faces do not show
it. You doubt the reality of their joy, because it is so little
seen.
I might easily repeat what I told you at the beginning of this
paper–that a merry face is no sure proof of a happy heart. But
I will not do so. I will rather ask you whether you yourself
may not be the cause why believers look grave and serious when
you meet them? If you are not converted yourself, you surely
cannot expect them to look at you without sorrow. They see you
on the broad road to Hell, and that alone is enough to give them
pain: they see thousands like you, hurrying on to weeping and
wailing and endless torment. Now, is it possible that such a
daily sight should not give them grief? Your company, very
likely, is one cause why they are solemn. Wait till you are a
converted man yourself, before you pass judgment on the
seriousness of converted people. See them in companies where all
are of one heart, and all love Christ, and so far as my own
experience goes, you will find no people so truly happy as true
Christians.
I repeat my assertion in this part of my subject. I repeat it
boldly, confidently, deliberately. I say that there is no
happiness among men that will at all compare with that of the
true Christian. All other happiness compared to this is
moonlight compared to sunshine, and brass by the side of gold.
Boast, if you will, of the laughter and merriment of irreligious
men; sneer, if you will, at the concern and seriousness, which
appear in the demeanor of many Christians. I have looked the
whole subject in the face, and am not moved. I say that the true
Christian alone is the truly happy man, and the way to be happy
is to be a true Christian.
And now I am going to close this paper by a few words of plain
application. I have endeavored to expose the fallacy of many
views which prevail upon the subject. I have endeavored to point
out, in plain and unmistakable words, where true happiness alone
can be found. Permit me to close by an affectionate appeal to
the consciences of all who may read this paper.
(1) In the first place, “let me entreat every reader of this
paper to apply to his own heart the solemn question–Are you
happy?”
High position or low position, rich or poor, master or servant,
farmer or laborer, young or old, here is a question that deserves
an answer–”Are you really happy?”
Man of this world, who cares about nothing but the things of this
world, neglecting the Bible, making a god of business or money,
providing for everything but the day of judgment, scheming and
planning about everything but eternity: are you happy? “You know
that you are not.”
Foolish woman, who is throwing life away in flippancy and
fickleness, spending hours after hours on that poor frail body
which must soon be fed to the worms, making an idol of dress and
fashion, and excitement, and human praise, as if this world was
all there was: are you happy? “You know that you are not.”
Young man, who is bent on pleasure and self-indulgence,
fluttering from one idle pastime to another, like the moth about
the candle–fancying yourself clever and knowing, and too wise to
be led by preachers, and ignorant that the devil is leading you
captive, like the animal that is led to the slaughter: are you
happy? “You know that you are not.”
Yes: each and all of you, you are not happy! And in your own
consciences you know it well. You may not admit it, but it is
sadly true. There is a great empty place in each of your hearts,
and nothing will fill it. Pour into it money, learning,
position, and pleasure, and it will still be empty. There is a
sore place in each of your consciences, and nothing will heal it.
Immorality can’t; freethinking can’t; Roman Catholicism can’t;
they are all quack medicines. Nothing can heal it, but that
which at present you have not used–the simple Gospel of Christ.
Yes: you are indeed a miserable people!
Take warning this day, that you will never be happy till you are
converted. You might as well expect to feel the sun shine on
your face when you turn your back to it, as to feel happy when
you turn your back on God and on Christ.
(2) In the second place, “let me warn all who are not true
Christians of the folly of living a life which cannot make them
happy.”
I pity you from the bottom of my heart, and eagerly persuade you
to open your eyes and be wise. I stand as a watchman on the
tower of the everlasting Gospel. I see you sowing misery for
yourselves, and I call upon you to stop and think, before it is
too late. Oh, that God may show you your folly!
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
