A zealous divine, who had prayed earnestly that God would teach him the
perfect way of truth, was directed in a dream to go to a certain place,
where he would find an instructor; when he came to the place, he found a
man in ordinary attire, to whom he wished a good morning.
"I never had a bad morning," replied the man. "That is very singular; I
wish you may always be as fortunate." "I was never unfortunate," said
he. "I hope you may always be as happy," said the divine. "I am never
unhappy," said the other. "I wish," said the divine, "that you would
explain yourself a little."
"That I will cheerfully do," said the other; "I said that I never had a
bad morning, for every morning, even if I am pinched with hunger, I
praise God. If it rains, or snows, or hails, whether the day is serene
or tempestuous, I am still thankful to God, and therefore I never had a
joyless morning. If I am miserable in outward circumstances, and
despised, I still praise God; you wished that I might always be
fortunate, but I cannot be unfortunate, because nothing befalls me but
according to the will of God, and I believe that His will is always
good, in whatever He does or permits to be done. You wished me always
happy, but I cannot be unhappy, because my will is always resigned to
the will of God."
The divine, astonished at the man's answers, asked him whence he came.
"I came from God," he replied. "Where did you find Him?" "Where I left
the world." "Where did you leave God?" "With the pure in heart." "What
are you?" "I am a king." "Where is your kingdom?" "It is within my
bosom. I have learned to rule my appetites and passions, and that is
better than to rule any kingdom in the world."
"How were you brought into this happy condition?"
"By secret prayer, spiritual meditation and union with God; nothing
below God could satisfy my desires; I have found Him, and in Him I have
found Peace and Rest."
--_Old Magazine._
1563