The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-05-19
Written for The Prison Mirror.
HAPPINESS.

ssssss'sssssssr
The one and sole object of earthly
existence, the goal of all human de-
sire, is happiness. Is it not strange
passing strange-that while the ele-
ments of true happiness lay easily
within the grasp of all so few of us
ever attain it? 1t is not the unattain-
ableness of happiness but rather our
misconception of what constitutes it
which has caused this beautiful world
of ours to be misnamed the "Vale of
Tears"
The average mortaPs conception of
perfect happiness would make this
life an iridescent dream, sort of lotus
eating existence, in which we are to
chase golden butterflies over velvety
lawns with nicely appointed folding
beds and luxurious hammocks all along
the way, so that when we become tired
of chasing butterflies we may lie down
and rest our weary bones. And when
the mere mental effort of wishing for
new pleasures becomes burdensome,
we are told in mournful numbers that
life is but an empty dream, that there
is nothing new and nothing true and
lit don't signify to prove it," There
is the man who cried because there
were were no more worlds to conquer;
and the pot of gold at the rainbow's
base which can not be found. 1t is
the same old organ playing the same
old tune, "My Dolly is Stuffed with
Sawdust." The trouble is that most of
us are only playing with dollies, and
dollies are always stuffed with saw
dust; if they were stuffed with sugar
plums we would doubtless all have the
stomach-ache and bawl the louder.
The we'll spring of happiness is found
in the heart rather than the mind.
This sentence, l know, requires some
explanation, but space will not allow
us to go into metaphysics. Permit me
one illustration. On a certain stormy
Christmas eve, Cyrus w. Field, at that
time multi millionaire, was passing
up Broadway, in the city of New Y ork.
When in front of old st. Paul's he no.
ticed little blind beggar girl. Stop
ping, he asked her what of all things
she would like most to have Santa
Claus bring her on the morrow She
replied, saying, "What would 1 like the
very best? Oh. to be able to see my
mothers picture" He took the child
to his home and after consulting the
very best Oculists in New York sent
her to Paris for treatment. Afterward,
when through the treachery of Gould
and Sage, his fortune was vanishing at
the rate OF more than million dollars
day, some friends visited his office ex-
pecting to find him gloomy but found
him instead radiant with happiness.
They thought his losses had affected
his mind and thai it had become de-
ranged. They said, "why, Mr.. Field,
do you know that Manhattan stock is
down to Y this morning?."
"Is it," he replied. 81 hadn't noticed.
But look at this, taking cablegram
from his desk there is little girl in
Paris, France, who yesterday was blind,
today she can see. What is the price
of Manhattan stock to that?"
He had lost seven millions of dollars
in four days, yet was radiantly happy
because he had been the means of
giving sight to blind beggar.
Happiness is the birthright of all,
and he who misses it misses all. A
sinner is but misguided seeker after
happiness. Happiness lies only in
Truth, and Truth alone is Cod The
orthodox theology of today is, to the
average mind, an occult science, and
"ISM'S'' are but egotism. 1t is a sad
fact, yet nonetheless true one, that to
a large and constantly growing mass
the Cross has ceased to be a reminder
of crucihed Savior but stands alone
as sign and symbol of witchcraft.
And there are thousands all over the
Christian land who feel bitter and