FARMER H—was a very happy man. He was prosperous, and had everything that this world could give that would increase his happiness. But with all this he did not know the real, lasting happiness which is given to those who trust in the Lord. (Prov. 16:2020He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. (Proverbs 16:20).) He was opposed to anything that tended to religion, and made his boast in following in the paths of unrighteousness, and delighted in the “pleasures of sin.” He never thought of going to church, although he was the churchwarden, but spent his Sundays in walking over his farm or reading his newspaper.
Many times did his friends seek his reformation, but when spoken to, he would always laugh and say, “I am quite happy; I am the happiest man in the world.”
The village was something like the farmer, without the knowledge of the gospel, so a few young men determined to go and preach there. One of them was a bright, happy Christian, whose heart yearned for those who were living without hope; but as he lived some distance, the farmer thought he could not do very much harm if he invited him to stay at the farm house, so he could continue his cottage meetings, which were so much liked by his laborers.
The farmer watched his visitor rather closely, and found him to be very happy; and in course of conversation he found out that it was not money made him happy, for he had not any, and was entirely dependent on the Lord for his support. It was a paradox for the farmer; he could not understand it, for the young man had had trials without number, and still he was happy; and as he could not solve his problem, he determined to ask his visitor when the opportunity offered.
Seeing he was alone one day, the farmer asked, “Are you happy?”
“Yes,” he replied; “I cannot help being happy.”
“Is it your friends who make you happy?”
“No.”
“Is it money?”
“No, I have none.”
“Is it because you have plenty of pleasure?”
“No.”
“Will you tell me what it is, then?” he asked.
“Yes, I will gladly,” he replied.
He then showed the farmer how that his happiness did not consist in the enjoyment of an outward object, but of an inward one.
“I am happy,” he said, “because I know that all my sins are forgiven; and you may have the same assurance by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour.”
As he reasoned of sin and its punishment, and of the wondrous work of Jesus at Calvary, when “He bare our sins in His own body on the tree,” and the result of His finished work, the farmer’s heart was opened to receive the truth as it is in Jesus, and he there found the source of true joy and happiness.
He was made happy, and with his heart and voice he sang—
“I am so glad
That Jesus loves me.”
ML 08/18/1918