Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-11-10
For the Spirit of the Age.
HAPPINESS.

1t has been truly said, that there is no
such thing as real happiness to be found a
an.esfth& oSlt-j~wbd $kT.l
'e4fything appears, there is aLwayyR daTk 4
side to the picture. To be happy, is the Il
greatest desire Of the human heart it is y
the acme of existence, the brilliant bubble ;,
or flashing meteor, which lures us onward, I
and onward, until death comes on, and de- '
%tcrmines our eternal destiny either for veal c
or woe. 7
And now the question arises-what is t
real happiness, and who are the truly hap !
pyl Does perfect happiness consist in !
fine dressing, visiting, participating in the /
gayeties of fashionable life, or the dazzling
glare of the ball room? Is that young lady
who spends the night in the ball room, and
half the next day in bed, and the remain
der Of her time in idle gossip, or worse still,
in slandering her acquaintance, really hap
py2 No, verify for she has not the ap-
proval of her ow conscience, and without
this she cannot be happy. Is that miser
who toiled and stroye for wealth-who
cheated the widow and orphan out of their
just rights happy, now, that he has gained
the wished-for treasure No, for he has
pawned his soul for gold. He sits in his
wretched hut, and counts his thousands,
and every little noise makes him start and
turn pale with fear. He is afraid that a
robber might come and steal his idol. He
fears to sleep, for while his eyelids arc
closed with slumber, the midnight assassin,
tempted by lis beautiful gold, might enter
and put an end TO his miserable life. The
voice of conscience sometimes sounds with
solemn earnestness throughout the cham
bers of his soul and as the wind whistles
round his comfortless dwelling, he thinks
he hears a voice laundering in his ear, "'tis
easier for q camel to pass through the eye
Of a needle than for a rich man to enter in
to the kingdom Of heaven" Reader, do
You think that he is happy!
Yet so it is, throughout the world, each
one has his own method ofseeking for hap
piness; and few there are that enjoy even
a small share Of that coveted treasure
Like Haman, there is always a Mordecaiin
their way, to mar their perfect enjoyment
Reader, look at that man whose genius has
won for him Il name among the most tai
entcd of our land! See him as he stands
before the vast crowds who flock to hear
him, and catch every whisper hat with
=. the r~esistless force of matchless ~eloquenct
I falls from his lips! Think You that he i
t happyl No; for although he is now al
I mostidolized by the muItitudes, and though
= fame has waited his name throughout th
: world, he feels that there arc those VIII
I would glory in his downfall. He feels tina
the next breath Of tickle fortune may han
/ him from the exalted pinnacle, which h
, now occupies, and then he knows that h
n would be left to die, neglected, scornec
,, forsaken and alone.
II Common sense teaches us, that wealt
Is and fame does not confer happiness; neitl
% or does fashion and show. And thong
II we may not expect perfect happiness he,
II still we may, by a right course, attain to
10 great enjoyment here on earth, and ensu
Y to ourselves perfect bliss hereafter. o.
II way to ensure happiness to ourselves, CO
ID sists in trying to make others around
g happy. As we pass over the broad field
y, life, we meet with many who have far le
OF the enjoyments and pleasures of life, tn
N we have. To them, therefore, should
" extend a helping hand. When you see
friend on whom the .storm-clouds Of advt
on sity have wrathfully broken-try to |
him up assist him, if possible, and by 90
10 counsel, and kind words, arouse his fall
energies and infuse new life in his faint
soul. If you should see a poor widow,
helpless orphan in distress, do not tn
'de from them harshly, but speak kindly
.cn and cheer their dropping spirits, reanima
.ad them, and point them upward to a re-uni
with their loved ones, where parting sh
at be no more" In your private walks
life, you may always find objects to sue,
the and cheer. Be kind, loving, charitat
ops forgiving and humble, and you will ms
ess yourself that degree of happiness, VIII
.ers wealth and tame can never bestow.
'nt' But the surest way to gain happiness
IL to seek it from the fountain from which
that is pure and holy, emanates. The
IL bic has said, "seek we first the kingdom
ave heaven, and then all else shall be added
S to to you = and it is true. A heart hum
e. and truly devoted to God, cannot be
soar happy. Though they may be poor, tho
sickness and trouble may come upon til
ould and earthly friends forsake them, t
my know that there is One who cares for Il
and One who watches over and protects th
cart They know that when their race on G
ROW is ended, they will be borne, by shil
made angels, to the courts of the "Great l
Visions of holy bliss attend them her
v earth, and they know that though the W
close calls them poor, they are heirs to tina
! sbc heritance which is incompatible, and
ran they nave "a house not made with h;
eternal in the heavens" Yes, ReligiC
Ma. the keystone Of happiness, and they
is on really possess thaC treasure are the
shot happy. for-
now IT'S Religion that can give,
their iSceetest pleasures while we live;
us Helglon can Supply,
has o0''" '0"V0'' ""T MIWNTE = D,