Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/27

 that they  may  be  such  themselves  as  they  wish  to make  others."

In thought  and  tendency,  My  Prayer-Book purposes to  be  the  embodiment  of  Christian optimism and  altruism;  the  exponent  of  all  that is helpful  and  invigorating  in  the  Christian  life  — of whatever  is  calculated  to  promote  man's  temporal and  eternal  welfare;  it  lays  stress  upon  the fact that  while  the  short  cut  to  happiness  is  by way  of  self-renunciation,  self-denial,  self-conquest, self-control, in  the  following  of  Christ,  nevertheless good Cheer,  heartfelt  joy,  and  genuine  happiness,  far from being  incompatible  with  the  practice  of religion,  and  of  the  Catholic  faith  in  particular, are really  the  concomitant  or  rather  the  outgrowth and efflorescence  of  a  virtuous  Christian  life.

"Virtue only  makes  our  bliss  below." — Pope.

" 'Tis  virtue  makes  the  bliss  where'er  we  dwell.".

— Collins.

If Christianity  sends  men  to  learn  the  solemn lessons of  the  grave  and  asks  them  to  keep  in  view their eternal  destiny  and  the  salvation  of  their priceless immortal  souls,  this  need  not  make  them gloomy and  morose,  this  should  not  and  does not make  them  sad  and  depressed;  it  tends,  in fact,  to  keep  them  in  that  state  in  which  they  will be able  to  "rejoice  in  the  Lord  always"  to  be glad  and  cheerful  and  hopeful  and  helpful  also  to others,  no  matter  what  may  be  their  outward circumstances. The peace  of  God  is  with  them