River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
The Therapeutics
of Joy
By RI. REV. SAMUEL FALLOWS,
D. D., IL. d.
Chicago, Illinois

S1C OOOh E1OL lIO VACW punt WI bAC
new evangelism of health and happi-
ness it is new book A flood of light
Is poured from it's pages upon the sur
passing problems of the spiritual re-.
generation of both the physical, men,
tai and social life of man. These are
the fundamental notes of the present
mighty movement for the complete
deliverance of the race from the
thralldom of baleful unrest and in
hibiting disease.
The inspired word chimes in with
the latest teachings Of science regard
Ing the great influence of Joy upon the
human frame. Joy imparts strength.
for it belongs to happy family which
numbers cheerfulness, gladness, mirth-
fulness, contentment, pleasure and de-
light among its members. It excites
the whole muscular system. 1t in
creases the activity of all the vital
functions. 1t quickens the pulse,
brightens the eye, Pushes the cheek,
and nerves the arm. 1t makes play
Of work. 1t removes fatigue, while
stimulating all the powers of body and
mind.
Darwin has told us In the expression
of the emotions in "Man and Animals
that with animals of all kinds the ac-
quirement of almost all their pleas.
ures, with the exception of those OF
warmth and rest, have long been asso-
ciated with active movements, as in
hunting in the search after food and
other kindred things.
Joy, therefore, naturally shows 1t.
self in manifestations Of strength. The
nostrils are dilatted, the angles Of the
mouth, the eyelids and the eyebrows
are raised, all indicative Of potential
actual energy.
Joy acts powerfully upon all the d.
gestive processes and works trans
| formation upon the jaundiced dyspep
tic. 1t expands the lungs which have
been contracted as If by the strong
grip of giant hand through sadness
or disappointment. The sigh of melan
choly Is changed to songs of gladness
With the change comes the deepening
and expanding of these vital organs
and the oxygenating and enriching Of
the blood.
While we Americans are an active
Deople, we are, as rule, a joyless
people. We act as though we were
driven like slaves to our tasks. We
take our pleasures on a. boverish run
Observant foreigners have noticed
this rarity of Joy upon our faces. They
see, as a keen philosophic writel
among us has seen, Zines Of thought
and of care and of fear-money lines
shrewd, grasping lines, but how few
happy lines" 1t would seem as II thu
rarest feeling that lightened ou
countenances was the genuine con
tentment of a loving, joyful soul.
It looks also as though our religion
did not agree with us. We make of
weights instead of wings. We hav'
gloomy thoughts Of ourselves, OF God
of our earthly existence, of our fellow
men. of the life to come. We han;
our harps upon the willows. We thinl
this world to be prison house. w
say we cannot sing the songs OF A1ol
in this strange land.
But this world is our home, on
school. our workshop, our temple. W.
have been placed in 1t by almight.
wisdom. power and love. We are tn
children of the Heavenly Father. AM
the 10Y of Jehovah Is to be on
strength-the Joy that He Is the eve
watchful, ever providing, ever lovin'
one-God over all blessed foveveI
more.
Too many Of us, as some one ha
said. think black Is the color
heaven and the more we can maxi
orr faces the color of midnight, thu
more evidence we have of grace.
What a supreme mistake we are max
ing True religion is sunshine ant
loveliness. The New Testament In
terprets and emphasizes the Old. I'M
historical Christ, the real, human
divine Christ, not a Christ evaporate'
into nothingnees nv ~" "'''d coo
lions of an erratic philosopher, says;
"These words have | spoAon 4H'o. ~
that my Joy might remain in you anc
that your Joy might be full. inns
fullness of Joy in the heart makes ilfe
and death radiant with brightness
visited the home of a bereavet
Christian who had forgotten the Chris
tian teachings of that New Testamen
TO "reioice in the Lord always" Inc
room on the north side of the mouse
had every window darkened witt
heavy shades. She was clothed IL
garments of blacklist black. The lines
of her face were drawn down. The
room was a fearsome, chilling tomb
Nothing could be more antithet1cal OF
a Christians attitude and environ
ment.
Not until I had thrown the curtains
up and let the blessed light stream II
could / speak the words OF comfort
of hope and of assurance. Think Of
such a Christians understanding OF
the command Of the light-bringina
Christ. Let your light shine" HeI
light was turned to Egyptian dark
ness. which could be felt"
There is no light to stream over
land or sea like the light OF JOY. II
must pour itself out amid sorrows and
trials and tribulations. 1t IL the one
alchemy that can turn the basosi
metals into pure gold.
We were not made to live contiA
ually In the transports Of Joy. AZ Gcd
carries on His work by average men
and carries on the processes OF M.