(MAT. 6, 5-7)
The inscription on the tombstone erected on the grave of the great
French philosopher, Descartes (died 1650), reads: "_He has lived well
who was hidden well_," or, "_He is happy whose life is hidden_."
In this lies the thought that happiness depends upon the hidden
life--that this is something good which affords one a refuge.
Nowadays, the prevailing impression is that happiness is contingent
upon _life in public view_; that happiness consists in the ability
to attain a prominent position, in being admired, gaining wealth and
winning fame. This is an absolute delusion.
Andrew Carnegie, the late multi-millionaire, said: "I have tried to
make money by leading an incessantly busy life--but it did not make me
happy. Now I have tried to give money away to public institutions--and
still I found no happiness in that"; this is an impressive testimony
from a prominent and honest man, showing that happiness has nothing to
do with life in the public view.
It is this Jesus says to the Pharisees: You stake all upon _leading
your life in public view_, in the synagogues and in the streets, to
gain the admiration of men. For this reason you have forgotten to seek
the good refuge with God, to lead a hidden life with God, full of
prayer. Therefore, your public life is devoid of blessing to the people
and without joy to yourselves. _You have no reward, and no happiness._
"Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy
Father which is in secret." You shall seek the hidden corners of your
own heart and there speak with your Father about that life which stirs
in there, unseen by the world. Then you will soon realize the necessity
of hiding with God the Father and of living your life with Him hidden
away from the world. That is the condition for your becoming a happy
man or a happy woman, and it will contribute to the bliss of that part
of your life which must be lived before the public.
Therefore, this shall be my New Year's wish for you, that you _during
the coming year may find the happiness which lies in the hidden life of
prayer, with God_.
Many married people seem to think that their matrimonial happiness
depends on swell homes and association with those more prosperous
families known as "society"--"Keeping up with the Joneses." This is
wrong. Attempts of that kind often lead to the utter destruction
of happiness. It is true that a nice home and a pleasing circle of
acquaintances are worth much, but marital happiness does not depend
upon them. It springs from that life which man and wife live together
unseen by the eyes of the world.
The happiest moments in the life of a wife are not those in which her
husband stands upon the stage of the world, the object of praise and
admiration--as the man _to whom the laurel wreath is given_; nor, in
the life of the man, when his wife is considered _a celebrated grand
lady_. No, the sublimest happiness in married life is due to those
hours when man and wife sit cheerfully at home, hand in hand, talking
about the grace of God and about their mutual love.
* * * * *
Many young people think that happiness and joy depend upon the number
of dances they are able to attend, or upon exterior circumstances. It
is not their fault that they are neither happy nor glad. It is due to
the environment, living conditions, to those with whom they associate.
And while all this may be of importance it is, profoundly seen, a
delusion, nevertheless. It is true, also, in the case of the young
man and the young woman that their happiness essentially depends upon
their hidden life. If that is a life of impure thoughts, of sinful
cravings--then happiness will be meagre, no matter how favorable the
environment may be. There will be no calm and deep-seated joy, no real
happiness. If, on the other hand, that hidden life means a life of pure
thoughts and noble ambition, a life in God, then it will mean happiness
even though the environment may be unfavorable.
* * * * *
It is a law in the life of mankind that happiness depends upon the
manner in which the hidden life is lived. By creating this law, God has
given rich and poor an equal chance of happiness, and has shown Himself
as the friend of the poor.
* * * * *
King Charles IX of France once asked the Italian poet, Tasso: "Who,
think you, is the happiest?"
Without a moment of hesitation, the poet answered:
"God."
"Yes, yes, very well," the king said, "but then next to God?"
"The one who resembles Him most," was the answer.