The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-06-26
Morality and Happiness.

The two words, the two things which
they represent. go together. and it is not
too much to say that they cannot be
wholly separated. To the superficial OBJ
server. especially in this day and age
of vast fortunes. variously made. It may
seem that evil doing prospers; that IN
righteousness hourishes and. at least in
its effects, is held estimable; but in our
heart Of hearts We know that this is not
the truth-that there is but one thing
that viii help man to carry himself
bravely and honorably through life, and
that is decency Of conduct-morality.
Said Frederick Q. Robinson once:
Il know but one way in which a man
may come forth from his agony scath-
iess-it is by holding fast to those things
which are certain still-the grand, sim
pie landmarks Of morality. In the darkest
hour through which human soul can
pass, whatever else is doubtful. this. at
least, is certain: II there be no God
and no future, yet even then it is better
to be generous than selfish: better TO be
chaste than licentious; better to be true
than false; better TO be brave than TO
be a coward. Blessed beyond all earthly
blessedness is the man who In the tenn
pestuous darkness of the soul has dared
10 hold fast TO these venerable land
marks"
And that is truth, indeed! Can we not
all feel that il is true from out the
depth of our own experience? Surely
we have come to learn, though II may be
through only simple things. that as we
carry ourselves through life. so life will
treat us in return. Nothing outside
ourselves has the power to harm US. The
impulse to good or to evil is within our
selves; it is enthroned within the sacred
shrine of our own souls. that shrine
where none but We may enter.
We are to know. too. that while moral
ity-the ancient and abiding landmark
by which we must steer our course-is an
ever present good. it is not to be taken
as a sure guide 10 happiness. For, as
Stevenson tells US:
In his own life a man is not to ex-
pect happiness; only to profit gladly oy
it If it shall arise. He is on duty here; he
knows not how or why, and does not need
10 know: he knows not for what hire,
and must not ask. Somehow or other,
though he does not know what goodness
Is. he must try to be good; somehow or
other. though he cannot tell what will do
it. he must try TO give happiness to
Others"
To seek happiness through morality is
not to fee temptation to hold yourself
aloof from your fellow-man; TO be me
TEDIOUS about Ill and to walk on the
other side. The only i'll that can touch
a man is in himself. and from himself and
his desires no man may run: he has 70
fight his own battles. front his own
dangers. win his own victories. There are
some philosophers like Henry Ward
Beecher who dwell too much on environ
ment. who tell US. as he does:
Morality is character and conduct
such as is required by the circle OF
community in which a name life happens
TO be placed
That is hardly the whole truth. Let
Us pray that morality Is something higher
nobler than this. It is surely not suf-
f1cient for a man TO be no better than
his community What has a mans com
munity to DO with his mortal soul. or. in
deed, with his happiness? Is a man moral
because ne is q trihe better than his
neighbors? Not sol There is no circle
no community. no neighbors can set the
standard for a mans conduct The mat
ter is in his own hands He knows the
law; let him abide by It. He sees the
landmark; let him steer for it. In the
search for happiness through morality
man is TO himself the only law.
Nor IS it necessary In mans effort to-
ward morality that he should think toe
much about the reward he hopes to gain
Once more Stevenson assures US:
The salary in any business under
heaven is not the only. nor, indeed, the
first question. That you should continue
20 exist Is matter for your own con-
sideration: but that your business should
be first honest and second useful are
points where honor and morality are con-
cerned."
You may not think of the salary, the
reward. and yet you may be assured that
without morality there is no happiness
possibIe-no hope! To live in immortality
IS senselessly to waste the precious hours,