Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/29

 To be  a  Christian  means  to  follow  Christ. And Christ  Himself  has  said:  "If  any  man  will come  after  Me,  let  him  deny  himself,  take  up  his cross,  and  follow  Me."

Spiritual joy  —  joy  in  the  Lord  —  is  the  portion of  those  who  are  living  in  the  state  of  grace, who love  God  and  are  faithful  in  the  observances of  His  commandments. Fidelity in  this respect, however,  implies  self-restraint  and  self-denial.

Alexander conquered  the  world,  but  he  did  not conquer himself. In a  fit  of  intemperance  he slew  his  best  friend.

Napoleon made  himself  master  of  all  Europe  and played with  its  kingdoms;  but  he  failed  to  master himself. Yielding to  violent  anger,  he  acted  at times  like  a  madman,  who  knows  not  what  he  does. "The patient  man  is  better  than  the  valiant,  and  he that  ruleth  his  spirit  better  than  he  that  taketh  cities" (Prov. xvi.  32).

My Prayer-Book  aims  to  emphasize  the  fact that while  being  good  we  can  enjoy  in  many  ways this beautiful  world  which  God  has  made  for  us,  and which is  truly  a  mirror  of  His  own  beauty  and perfections; it  aims  to  inculcate  the  lessons  of nature;  how  all  its  beauties  reflect  the  greatness and  loving  kindness  of  the  Creator  and should draw  us  to  love  our  good  God  with  a  grateful heart.

"The heavens  show  forth  the  glory  of  God,  and the  firmament  declareth  the  work  of  His  hands" (Ps. xviii.  1).