Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/19



My Prayer-Book  is  more  than  a  book  of prayers  and  devotions;  the  sub-title,  Happiness in Goodness,  indicates  that  it  is  also  a  book  of counsels  and  reflections  on  the  pursuit  of  happiness, not only  with  a  view  to  the  eternal  life,  but  also with regard  to  our  present  existence  "in hoc lacrymarum  valle."

"All desire  peace,"  says  "The  Following  of Christ,"  "but  all  care  not  for  those  things  which appertain  to  true  peace."

We may  say  the  same  thing  with  regard  to  happiness. All desire  it,  but  many  do  not  attain  to  it because  they  seek  it  where  it  can  not  be  found. The one thing  necessary  to  true  and  lasting  happiness is the  state  of  sanctifying  grace  —  the  love  of  God — union  with  God,  in  whom  alone  man's  heart can find  rest. "Rejoice in  the  Lord,  always!" Seek happiness  in  goodness,  in  virtue;  in  loving God above  all  things  and  in  loving  all  things  in God ;  in  loving  your  neighbor;  in  doing  good  to others  for  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ  —  that  is  the key-note —  the  dominant  note  of  this  book. It is an  exponent  of  the  greatest  thing  in  the  world.