Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/69

 It is  eternal  truth,  the  faith  which  we  profess, Which gives  us  hope  in  life,  and  peace  when death is  near.

SHORT time  since  I  read  in  a Swiss  newspaper  the  following account from  the  pen  of  a  teacher  of  theology. A celebrated  operatic  singer  during  a stay  which  he  made  on  the  Rigi,  said  to  the professor in  the  course  of  a  conversation, that three  things  contributed  to  human  happiness; love,  useful  occupation,  especially  in the  realm  of  art,  and  religion  —  a  firmly rooted faith. - He  confessed  that  the  two  first factors are  followed  frequently  by  disenchantment. In like  manner,  he  said,  fame  and applause never  confer  true  happiness.

He had  experienced  genuine  happiness  — true peace  and  contentment  —  on  the  day  of his  first  communion,  at  the  time  when  he possessed  deep  religious  convictions. He had been  brought  up  in  a  strictly  religious manner; now,  he  said,  though  in  a  vague manner he  believed  in  God,  he  could  scarcely be called  a  believer.

2. If  even  this  famous  singer,  whose  artistic skill was  the  admiration  of  half  Europe,  and who was  loaded  with  praise  and  honors,  if he  regarded  as  his  brightest  and  happiest days, not  those  of  his  success  upon  the  stage, but those  of  his  youth,  when  he  possessed