The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-08
HUMAN HAPPINESS.

That most excellent writer on Natural Law.
Burlamaqui, says:
Let man reflect never so little on himself bo
VIII soon perceive, that every thinG he does is
with view OF happiness, and that this is the
ultimate end ne proposes in all his actions. or the
last term to which he reduces them This is a
hrst truth, OF which we have continual conyic-
ton from our internal sense. Such. in effect is
the nature of man, that he necessarily loves him
self that he seeks in every thinG. and every
where, his own advantages, and can never he di
yerted from this pursuit We naturally desire and
necessarily wish for good. This desire antcipates
all our reflections, and is not in our own election
IL predominates In us, and becomes the prin,n1
mobile OF all our determinations; our hearts beino
never inclined towards any particular good but
by the natural Impression, which determines ms
to good in general. 1t is not in our power 10
change this bent OF the will, which the Creator
himself has implanted in US
This system of Providence extends to all
beings, endowed with sense and KNOWLEDGE :
Even brute animals have like instinct for thew
love themselves, endeavoring at selEpreservation
oy all Sor'S OF means, eagerly pursuing whatever
seems good or useful to them and turnnp nm the
contrary, from whatever appears preudicial or bad
The same propensity shows itself in man. not
only as an instinct, but moreover as rational in
cllnatlon, approved and strengthened by reflection
dence, whatsoever presents itself to u.s. as ar OH
Ject proper to promote our happiness, must of ne
cess!ty please us; and every thing, that appears
opposite TO our felicity, becomes of course the OBJ
Ject OF our aversion The more we study man
the more we are convinced, that here in Tealitv
lies the source of all our tastes here the grand
spring, which sets us in motion"
This is every word true These are all great
and important truths, which should be well con-
sidered. For &" the mind without reflection. like
10 Ill III
seeking for happiness, but, alas, what opposite
and fatal means are resored to for its attainment
Present and vicious pleasures are resorted to with
an utter disregard of future suffering moments
OF qualification seized, at the expense ofhours
nay, ages of disquetude and wo. But happiness
is still the great aim. OF all the absurdities.
however, which morials enact here on earth, none
IS more glaring than that beings, dependent as we
all are upon each other for aid. support. comfort
and sympathy, most important for our happiness.
nay, for existence ITSELF should vet. tbouoh sensi
bic oil this, array ourselves against each other and
by our actions declare, that, much as wo desiro
happiness we will nevertheless adopt \ copree
which we know full well must involve ne in
misery. These things ought not so to he. we
should help, not hinder, each other in the prea,
highway of life. II should be remembered that
the great interests ofman are indssoluby connect
ed together, that whatever link in the chain we
strike breaks the common tie that binds us ia
happiness It is a most wise provision, in the
moral and social nature Of man, that whatever in
jury is inflicted upon any individual or class, Of
the human family, mars the happiness Of the race,
and most Of all that Of the depredator himself;
while on the other hand, all the good done to any,
results in the happiness Of all Thus, while the
desire Of enjoyment is implanted in the human
breast, the great Creator has made the gratifca.