True Happiness by J. N. Wilkinson

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 13, 1865

True Happiness.

By J. N. Wilkinson

TRUE happiness is attained by righteousness or right doing. The worldling is pursuing after happiness in this world; therefore he indulges in all the amusements and pleasures, wherever his fancy leads him, and still keeps on, and never finds anything that is lasting or that gives permanent happiness. But the man of God is looking in a different direction to obtain the desired felicity. In the first place, his study is, how he can best please and glorify God. He first learns that he must bring his body into subjection. Also that he must, "Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of his mind, that he may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

And again he learns that "godliness with contentment is great gain." But how often do we murmur and complain, and think that our lot is hard. That our trials and troubles are greater than those of others, and that surrounding circumstances are so unfavorable, that we cannot serve the Lord as well, as though we were differently situated. Says Paul, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Heb. iii, 5. Again he says, "I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content." Phil. iv, 11. How many of us have learned this great lesson? Let us try to imitate the apostle in this respect, and, "follow him even as he followed Christ." We are apt to think that if we were living where there was a band of Sabbath-keepers, (or at least some of us who are not so situated), that we might enjoy our minds better, and enjoy more of the Spirit and presence of God; but in this we might be mistaken. If we should be situated thus, there might be some other obstacles in the way. If our lot is cast in a rough place, let us try to cultivate a contented disposition, and remember that the grace of God is sufficient for us, and although trials and temptations may beset us on every hand, let us remember that, "Christ was tempted in all points like as we are, and yet without sin; and he knows how to succor those that are tempted." Our Saviour while on earth, put up with the most humble fare, and often ate the coarsest food, and even had no place to lay his head, and he suffered the vilest of treatment from his enemies, and while "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet he opened not his mouth." We see his agony in the garden, and his lonely and forsaken condition on the cross, when all his friends forsook him, no sympathizing friend to console him in the hour of great trial, no voice was heard but that of the infuriated mob, which said, Crucify him, crucify him. Thus he drank the bitter cup, and shall we repine at our lot, when our Saviour suffered so much and not a murmur escaped his lips! When we feel the uprising of such a spirit, let us consider that all this suffering was on our account. That when man had lost his right to the tree of life through disobedience, Jesus left the realms of glory, and came into this world to die, and thereby rescue man from his fallen condition. Oh, what matchless love! Then let us return that love by cheerful obedience to all God's righteous requirements, and then we shall enjoy that "Peace which is like a river, and the righteousness thereof like the waves of the sea." Let us also learn that "A contented mind is a continual feast," and when we are conformed to the image of Jesus, then we shall feel like one of old when he said, "One day in thy courts is better than a thousand," and "I had rather be a door-keeper in

the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Then we feel that peace the world knows not of, and we can look up and cry, Abba Father, and it is then we understand by joyful experience what it is that constitutes true happiness.

J. N. WILKINSON.

Peterborough, N. H.