The Christian Foundation, Or, Scientific and Religious Journal, Volume I, No. 7, July, 1880

A contemplative essay opens by declaring that true happiness springs from the knowledge and enjoyment of the divine, likening a soul cut off from God to a ship lost at sea. It contrasts the restless turbulence of sinful emotions—envy, jealousy, rage—with the serene fulfillment found in virtuous affections, portraying the latter as “living waters” that refresh a thirsty spirit. The author weaves biblical allusions and historical examples, from ancient rulers to ordinary folk, to illustrate how worldly ambitions and the pursuit of fame, pleasure, and wealth often leave even the most powerful feeling empty.

In the second section the writer argues that the gospel of Christ alone offers a remedy for these inner maladies, guiding readers toward a deeper, lasting joy that transcends material success. By examining the paradox of “the poor in spirit,” the text invites listeners to reconsider conventional definitions of wealth and to seek a happiness rooted in humility and spiritual connection. The prose invites reflection, encouraging a shift from external cravings to an inner wellspring of peace.