St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1900-12-29

singular than a general custom OF wishing
happiness to others-indeed, the extensive
observance of this custom is significant
mark of our Christian civilization.
Peoples of all lands wish. They wish by
the moon, by the stars, by the clouds, by the
birds, by almost every phenomenon. With
some it is at certain periods in the year, with
others it is daily enjoyment.
Not every wish comes true, just as not
every seed that is planted natures. There
is pretty custom among uncivilized tribes
in theorient, wherein fair virgins make little
boats with sails, place on the top lighted
candle and put on board cargo of wishes
At evening twilight these frail barks are
launched on the doubtful current of the
river Anxious eyes watch them as they
float away, for if the boat sail out of sight
without overturning and the candle burn
without dying, then win her burden of wish.
es come true, and tlFe dark faced maiden
will happily wed. Too often, alas, more
often than otherwise, these wishing boats
and their eargoes come to a fateful end and
disappoint the hopes of those whe risk them
on the treacherous stream such is the end
of many wish.
We wish always for things that are good,
but not always do the things that seem to
US good turn out to be so. Perhaps NO
greater calamity could come to us than the
getting of every wish. In an ancient Italian
fairy tale Fortunatus, by means of his wish
ing cap, always had a full purse, but that
purse proved the ruin of himself and his
sons, result not uncommon in real life to-
day.
We wish happy New Year to Others, not
for its opening days alone, but for all its
days and all its hours, even TO when the
year is dying; wishes for December as well
as May, for May as for January.
We wish that good which is ultimately
good, not that present sweet which turns
to bitter, but such fruit as grows sweeter
with ripening prosperity and never knows
decay.
We wish happiness, but mean more than
amusement, and even more than pleasure.
To be amused is the need of children, but
the high intelligence of man needs more
than amusement for its satisfaction. So
pleasure, if we mean that which pleases,
comes far short of our best wishes A child
is pleased with fire, and some poisons please
the taste; indeed, many things that please
also harm, and things displeasing often
bring ultimate blessing. Happiness is more
+ tAdu VI tJ1CocblS' ~ 1GoSiSs
deeper into the inner life and is far more
abiding. Inward conditions determine hap
piness rather than outward touches. To gad
about in search Of happiness is like doctor
ing a blood disease by skin applications.
The source of health is IN the soul. Happy
are the pure in heart.
There is picture in one Of the galleries OF
Europe representing the final judgment Of
all men Among the many figures on the
canvas is one surely meant to be conspieu-
Gus. He evidently is not saint though he
is among the saints A study of his face
reveals the fact that instead of being happy
he is wretehed. He is now seeking to get
out of that Heaven. into which formerly he
crowded himself Then he was sure he
would be happy could he but reach the
place. Now he has learned that happiness
is not place, but a state. Eden must be in
the heart if the fruits of Eden are to be in
the. life.
Let us wish others a happy New Year,
but such an one as is here indicated.