The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-30

Subject: The Secret Of HappI-
ness.
Text: BLESSED are they which
do hunger and thirst after righteous
ness: for they shall be filled" Matt.
v.6.
1t Is doubtful whether. among all the
surprising things that Jesus said there
IS one more surprising than that happi-
ness is found in the desire for goodness
The desire for happiness is frHdamen-
tai to human nature. The search tor 1t
has been an age-lorg quest. Every man.
whether he happens 70 have asked mini
self the question in 50 many words or
not has at least in conduct sought TOT
an answer to the universal question.
How may ! attain happiness? The
greatest minds OF the human racH have
turned their attention 10 this question.
Philosophers have given rs widely DE-
ferins answers.
Cfautana the founder OF the Brddhis:
religion. has answered that happiness, or
hlessedness. is found in Nirvana. a WORT
which means ''biown out. The iden az
the Bnddhis; * that perfect b,essscneSs
IS attained in absolute extinction OF se''.
f. annihilat;on os personality. 10 MIN
the way to reach this state o. olesSei-
ness is 70 empty one>s self of all desire
81 that there VIII be 10 regret ~ iast
81 the extinction Of He and personality.
Aristotle also raised the question. 'Whaf
Is .he blessed Ife?'' He came 10 this
answer: sHapn,iloss is the supreme so'a;
hi, while ;his s not attained without
v1rtue. virtue alone will not secure H.
sfappiness requires in addition to virtue
certain outward advantages such a.
health. riches and friends. ana these
good maa must seek BY AL law'Hi
means
According 10 Fp.aurus the gods ere
blessed. AL thov had easy. untrouotr@
lives The- have left the outward uni
verse to tahe ca.e % itself. aye wholly
Indifferent 80 human ana!rs and arc m
effahly happy. ay reason o. the en.iE'
ebSence a. laoor. want and care nam
becomes most blessed when ne becomes
most god-like, therefore m3n - hieSSe"
when he floats through Nfc uuharmins
and unframed lGic uSelcss. se!f-con-
caiued and scis-surfeirE" Cicero says
,hst Epicurus referreI all pleasure of the
intellect 10 the memory 81 past ard the
hope O. future sensua; era tiioston.
Zeao the founder oc the stole philoso-
INV. said that virtue is the sole end Of
hsc ba: thai only the wise can be viz
flous" Zero uved 10 vsry ripe age,
hnt al length. In accordance win n FAY
orlte dogma of his school. when he soaao
himself growing intirlsl. committed suicide
Jesus passed bv al! such IDEAS as these
and aStouished his tearsrS. rs Ee has
rstonished oil subsequent ages. by saying:
They that hunger and ti'irst after right
eousuess are blessed: fov they shall be
filed"
Jesus did rot condemn tho desire tor
happiness rs some who have prolessed
T., 10 Ills followers have done. He en-
CORA $50 it. aud gave !. direction. He
said That fundamental and universal
d sire of the human heart is good thing.
Will teecyl YOU how TO use it
lie do not complain Al men because
1ho- were seeking for happiness. but He
looked With ply upon them because. in
looking IN tho wrong place. they never
tarra f. Jesus was Infinitely far re-
moved from many modern rergionis;s, in
his attitude toward men. who are seek
tug pleasure along lie lower reaches OF
human nature. Some OF us have be-
come adherents 10 certain dogTnas and
VIC seek TO coIapel other men to accept
3haTp also. This impression we often
make upon those called sinners is not
s. much thai We have found great
oieSslns WHICH, ~ onT lEsetlsh rove, We
would like "a share with them, as that
ne are IN misery and Tat misery loves
COMPANY |il'ie Jesus looked "''h zen
r'rIleSs aha 'ioiopaS"lon Upon men eo.hs
wong a1u oTlIis'ns themselves mo
~,H1e q onHapp'neSs oE S''.''i p'actic@S'
- 49,, - L. " y"
lie never sought for one moment in his
- u ~ '''',',
- ON, ~
SIT :" ~ e"Se "'7'' Ai,s, - =" "
10 ''''4i Iapi'''sss' - "'9peA 'A''r
- s,'1 , ,, ne !'a'i one
- i1t - sd
~. ~ empty i'ie'' "''s' 0H1 1"
nm -
~ lii-s 'sAe "e Ss'u our Ne''G.' iof
ne = q S0o0 t.ans' NeFe' give Il
~ I1i7le'' y NC "1"'e leH sou A'N
""1 ssare" may De sUcee@S~~' how 5oi