XI PHILOSOPHY OF HAPPINESS. The thing that we have to do with our inward life, is to bring its latent capacities and forces into exercise; to acquire sovereignty in the control of them, and, from their action and their uses, derive constant accessions of energy and excellence. It is to apply the spiritual mind in the spiritual life, as we apply the practical mind in the common life; it is to give us as grand a dominion in the region of ideas, senses, feelings, and passions, as we hold in the region of earth, air, and ocean. It is in the one as in the other-to make things that resist, obey us-to make things that oppose, subservient to us-to make obstacles yield to action, and become the occasions of further and future triumphs. HENRY GILES. To a human being, the most interesting of all studies must be that having direct reference to the means of securing happiness. The attributes of God render it manifest that we were created for a state of high and serene enjoyment of existence; and the unresting ardor with which we all strive to realize the boon, renders it probable that fate has not removed it beyond our reach. How shall we so comprehend Life, and so fulfill its conditions, as to receive its legitimate felicity? is the momentous question which concerns us all. And whoever truly and wisely answers this question, presents us with an epitome of all religion and of all philosophy. We have a few thoughts to offer in the present paper, on the subject here indicated; some of which may serve as landmarks to those who desire a more thorough examination of the question than the limits of this volume will permit us to attempt. Happiness depends on conformity to the ruling principle, or supreme law, of our being. As the welfare of physical life demands the adjustment of the animal to seasons and climates, so the peace of man's inward life demands conformity to its pervading temper, whatever it be. Is the ruling principle of man's life EVIL?-then, let him do evil with all his strength and soul; it is his atmosphere, his happiness, his glory! To do otherwise, were to sin, for "sin is the transgression of the law." Hell is the only Heaven he can ever know, and it is his duty to advance unceasingly toward his kindred element. Whoever counsels deviation from this course, is a tempter, and as a tempter, should be spurned! Or, is the ruling principle of man's life GOOD? Then, goodness let him pursue, with highminded, stout-hearted faithfulness, if he would ensure for himself peace and honor. To do otherwise, were to sin ;-sin is nonconformity to the supreme law of being, and the source of wide-wasting discords and maddening pains. The GENIUS OF LIFE-whether devilish or angelic-claims implicit and habitual obedience, and woe to the soul that dares resist or gainsay this almighty and unceasing claim! Now the CHARACTER of this principle, or law, may be ascertained by reference to Him who instituted it. The spirit of legislators is reflected and perpetuated in their laws. The law of life came with the gift of life itself;both came from God, and both are reflections of His Spirit. When, therefore, we ascertain the Spirit of God, we shall have ascertained the spirit of these, His manifestations. 1 By whatever evidence we establish the fact of God's Existence, as the common Creator and Lawgiver, we also prove the existence of those great moral qualities which are usually ascribed to Him by Christians. The very facts that evidence His Government of the World, prove the infinity of His Wisdom, the omnipotence of His Power, the universality of His Love, and the immutability of His Rectitude. We know that His nature is the abode of every quality recognized as truthful, lovely, and ennobling,-of these, developed to a magnitude inconcievably glorious, and exalted to an infinite supremacy over every base, antagonistic element. Such is God "Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, God, then, is supremely and immeasurably Good; and the souls which he has created must have been designed for the exercise of Goodness, for there is no quality in God's nature that could have prompted the creation of a single object for the exercise or diffusion of Evil. The existence of temporal evil, designed to result in impartial good, cannot, of course, invalidate the proposition that all souls were created in harmony with the spirit of Goodness. Good is the ruling principle of the Universe, because it is the reflection of Him who created and who governs it. All things accord with Good, rest in it, as in the arms of Maternity,-unfold in it, as in sunshine and dew,-exult in it, as in an eternal May. Good is the Law of Life,—its sovereign, immutable Law, whose authority transcends that of all other powers, pervades the entire Creation, and holds the vicegerency of Heaven! We see, then, that Man was designed to dwell in the atmosphere of those virtues which distinguish his Creator,—to be pure, magnanimous, and holy; and his happiness— which is but another name for the harmony of his faculties-was, of course, made dependent on conformity to this Design. God has made two revelations of His will to the world: His primary revelation is written in the Soul, proclaimed by the moral sentiment, and defended by Conscience. His subsequent revelation is written on the pages of the Bible, interpreted by Prophets, and defended by |