The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1910-10-15
The Therapeutics
Of Joy
By RT. REV. SAMUEL FALLOWS,
D. D.. IL D.
Chicago, Illlsek

tic book. From the viewpoint OF the
new evangelism of health and happi-
ness II is new book. A flood Of light
II poured from Its 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 1t belongs to happy family which
numbers cheerfulness, gladness, mirth-
fulness. contentment, pleasure and de-
light among Its members. It excites
the whole muscular system. It 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. It 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 II.
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 II 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 oil
the blood.
While we Americans are an active
people, we are, as a rule, joylesa
people. We act as though we were
driven like slaves to our tasks. We
take our pleasures on q boverish run
Observant foreigners have noticed
this rarity of Joy upon our faces. They
see, as keen philosophic writer
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 the
rarest feeling that lightened ouI
countenances was the genuine con
tentment of loving, joyful soul.
It looks also as though our religion
did not agree with US. We make Of II
weights instead Of wings. We have
gloomy thoughts Of ourselves, Of God
of our earthly existence, Of our fellow
men, Of the life to come. We hant
our harps upon the willows. We thinl
this world to be a prison house. W.
say we cannot sing the songs Of Zior
in this strange land.
But this world 10 our home, oul
school, our workshop, our temple. W.
have been placed in It by almighty
wisdom, power and love. We are the
children of the Heavenly Father. And
the Joy Of Jehovah Is to be ouI
strength-the Joy that He is the eveI
watchful, ever providing. ever loving
one-God over all blessed fovever
more.
Too many of US, as some one hal
said, think black is the color Of
heaven and the more we can make
our faces the color Of midnight, the
more evidence we have Of grace
What supreme mistake we are max
ing. True religion is sunshine and
loneliness. The New Testament In
terprets and emphasizes the Old. The
historical Christ. the real, human
divine Christ, not Christ evaporatet
into nothingness by the wild specula
lions of an erratio philosopher. says
these words have spoken unto yoy
that my Joy might remain in you and
that your Joy might be full" Thii
fullness of 10Y in the heart makes life
and death radiant with brightness.
I visited the home of bereavet
Christian who had forgotten the Chris
tian teachings of that New Testament
to rejoice In the Lord always" The
room on the north side Of the house
had every window darkened will
heavy shades. She was clothed II
garments of blacklist black. The linei
Of her face were drawn down. Ths
room was a fearsome. chilling tomb
Nothing could be more antithetical o.
a Christians attitude and environ
ment.
Not until 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 Q Christians understanding Of
the command of the lightbringinl
Christ, let your light shine" HeI
light was turned to Egyptian dark
ness, which could be felt"
There u no light to stream over
| land or sea like the light Of JOY. II
Il