Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-10-22
: THE SOURCE OF HAPPINESS:

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bold undertaking, surely.
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THE SOURCE OF HAPPINESS
The prominent idea of intelligent life is the
desire of perfection in happiness. Earth is
proved by experience and. observation, to be
iincapable of furnishing means,to that topmost
1 object of intelligent desire. Hence, men
come to look elsewhere. for complete satisfac-
:tion. Christians know ofa religion, heaven
Of bliss, where the spirits of Just men are
made perfect. Human depravity cannot des-
troy this, craving. after the peace and content
ment which constitute happiness at.least in
part. It often affects. the. choice of.means to
that end, and generally misIeads into the
wrong path. 1t is a complete hindrance to
realization of the desire, and therefore happi-
Eness can not be foundl onIy in connection with
holiness. The natural man wonders into the
variegated fields of pleasure, and. becomes a
votary of voluptuousness. He climbs the
steep and rugged ascent of, ambition, and
thinks that at the top is the object of his de-
sire. He clutches at the wealth within his
reach, and hopes thereby to reap satisfaction
Alas, all his iabors and attachments end in
disappointment, and still he goes on seeking
rest, and finding none. II 1aa ei1l
The securing ofhappiness depends on soms-
thing higher than earth-holier than man.
Success in this depends upon the favor and
aid Of Divine Spirit, who sanctiies that He
may bless and make man possess rest and peace
He only can minister the comfort which con-
tinues happiness. By reunion with God who
is the independent fountain Of happiness, and
in whom are all perfections, can the soul re-
gain her original powers, and acquire the.
blessedness for which she was created. Je-
sus, the Son of God and one with God, the
Father and the Holy Ghost, is the way, the
truth and the life. Only in. Him can We be-
regenerased and made perfect. BY the help
of His Spirit we may be transformed into his
| image and to taste true happiness we must
become new creatures in Christ Jesus.
His blessings are adapted to our immortal
nature. What is OF earth, is at best, only ft-
ted to this pershing state of being. 1t was
never intended that immortal man should find
true peace and satisfaction in the echoes of
renowD, in the purple robe of honor, or in
the constituents of worldly wealth, or in the
facinating lap of pleasure. But it is intended
that ne should rise superior to these, and con-
demning them, to find sublime enjoyment
in God, the supreme good. The whole plan
of redemption has reference to this glorious
end, and the consummation Of our salvation is
in our restoration to the image of God, that
we can enjoy him forever. In this day of
life, we must obtain the favor and reconcilia-
tion of God. BEYOND this mortal span, all
will be unchangeable for veal or woe. Here
the preliminary work must be accomplished.
Here we must begin to love God-to be like
him. Here heaven may be begun by US.
What fellows2 You who are seek ing happi-
ness, must go on in the right path to it--must
use the right means to obtain it-must begin
the work mow, or never can you succeed in
what is now your desire and continual hope.
Are you person of Judgment Then con-
slider well these facts! II you do consider
them, surely you will use the only correct
means to the end you desire. fsasas SO 81
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A friend of ours was travelling day or two
since in the vicinity of Buxton. While cros-
sing bridge he was stopped by some young
men, one of whom addressed him as follows:
'sSay mister got any whisky with yer7''
ssN o, sir,' politely responded our friend.
"Don't yer ever dring whisky 7'' ssNo, sir."l
ssWa-a-H that's too bad. L should like
mighty well to get some good whisky; but we
can't get none here. Tell ye what 'tis, stran-
ger, it's dangerous stuff they have here about,
We are bound to drink it,, any how but We
draw lots to see which shall drink first. The
one that draws it goes in and drinks and sits
down. We all wait an hour, and if he amt
dead, then We all drink if he is, we try an
other place." Esss 6ls6 sa5 ssas t.r5s
The other day little Frenchmau, Just ar
rived, who had been taking English lesaona..