as man exerts himself and thus pours out from himself in action, so there is poured in from above the tide of thought and feeling, which keep up effort, and, gently distending as it were the spiritual vessels of the mental organization, and at the same time the material vessels of the brain, serve to keep the whole man, both mind and body, in a certain state of peaceful serenity and health: for all that flows from the Lord carries with it peace, blessing, and healthfulness mental and physical. Such is the philosophy of work and its cheering influence. And if this philosophy be just, how truly unfortunate, it may be remarked, is that class of persons, whom the unthinking world is apt to esteem fortunate—those who have nothing to do,—those who are neither forced by necessity, nor have the resolution to force themselves, into any regular course of occupation: instead of being fortunate, they are truly unfortunate; for, by a law of man's constitution, idleness is unhappiness.
But now, it might be asked,—admitting all this to be true, yet with what propriety can a man's profession or regular business be accounted among the chief sources of happiness? for, at best, this pleasurable feeling which is the attendant upon work is but a quiet and unexciting one. We would reply, that it is a chief source of happiness, just as bread is the staff of life;—just as water, which is merely pleasant, and almost tasteless, is the drink which best slakes the thirst. The blessing of work is like that of fresh air or of physical health; not ostentatious, exciting little attention or thought, its value hardly felt till we are deprived of it; yet in truth, acting ceaselessly and powerfully for good, and giving zest to all our other enjoyments. Without occupation,
