Religion and Contentment
[
Testimonies for the Church 1:565, 566
(1867).]
Satan found his way into Eden and made Eve believe that she
needed something more than that which God had given for her hap-
piness, that the forbidden fruit would have a special exhilarating in-
fluence upon her body and mind and would exalt her even to be equal
with God in knowledge. But the knowledge and benefit she thought to
gain proved to her a terrible curse.
There are persons with a diseased imagination to whom religion is a
tyrant, ruling them as with a rod of iron. Such are constantly mourning
over their depravity and groaning over supposed evil. Love does not
exist in their hearts; a frown is ever upon their countenances. They are
chilled with the innocent laugh from the youth or from anyone. They
consider all recreation or amusement a sin and think that the mind
must be constantly wrought up to just such a stern, severe pitch. This
is one extreme. Others think that the mind must be ever on the stretch
to invent new amusements and diversions in order to gain health. They
learn to depend on excitement, and are uneasy without it. Such are
not true Christians. They go to another extreme. The true principles
of Christianity open before all a source of happiness, the height and
depth, the length and breadth of which are immeasurable. It is Christ
in us a well of water springing up into everlasting life. It is a continual
wellspring from which the Christian can drink at will and never exhaust
the fountain.
Borrowing Trouble Detrimental
That which brings sickness of body and mind to nearly all, is
dissatisfied feelings and discontented repinings. They have not God,
[632]
they have not the hope which reaches to that within the veil, which is
as an anchor to the soul both sure and steadfast. All who possess this
hope will purify themselves even as He is pure. Such are free from
restless longings, repinings, and discontent; they are not continually
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