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"As Happy as a King."

s happy, but not so rich; for all that he had for certain was eighteenpence a-week, and one loaf of bread, and his rent paid.

The man who said he was "As happy as a king" had no more than this. By no fault of his, he had lately lost his chief means of support, and this had brought him into some anxiety, for it did not appear how he was to live. But he had a Friend above, who was ordering all things for him; and that he believed, though he was at times somewhat cast down. And now things were settled in this way he was to have a room in a house much nearer to the house of God than where he had lived before, and the rent was to be paid for him; the Board would give him eighteenpence a-week and a loaf; and friends at a distance promised to add something; but it would not be

much. It was when all this was settled, and he had lately got into his new room, that this poor man said, "I'm as happy as a king!"

This does not seem much to make a man so happy, does it? Had he nothing besides? Perhaps he had a secret store that he told nobody about. Well, to say the truth, he had; and yet not exactly such an one as you might think. But a hidden treasure he certainly had, and one that had much to do with his being so happy, nay, far more than anything else.

This poor man knew and loved his Saviour. That knowledge was his secret treasure. Poor as he was, he had found a share in what are called in the Bible "the unsearchable riches of Christ." He was a true Christian; and one of many years' standing too. Long before, he had given his heart to God, and found peace in Christ. He had passed through many trials-ill-health, sorrow, loss-yet he had always trusted in God, through Jesus Christ, and had always been helped and comforted. Whatever happened to him, he was always able humbly to believe that his soul was safe in Christ, and the Holy Spirit witnessed with his spirit that he was a child of God. Even while he was in anxiety this faith and trust did not fail. What wonder, then, that when the anxiety was gone he was as happy as a king ?”

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Further, the removal of this anxiety, and his being settled so comfortably (though but poorly, as some might think), had greatly strengthened his faith. He saw the hand of God in it all. He had all along felt a humble trust that God would provide for him in his old age, and now God had provided for him. That was how he looked at it. And this view made him very trustful and very happy. God had not forgotten him, and never would. In some way or other, God would lodge, and feed, and clothe him as long as he should want lodging and food and clothing here below; and then God would take him to that happy home which the Lord Jesus had gone to prepare for those who

love Him. So he felt and believed. What wonder that he was happy?

But, besides this, he was at all times a man of a thankful spirit. He never grumbled or complained. Yet he had some things which would have made many grumble. For one, he suffered greatly in his breathing. Many a time have I met him toiling up the long hill that led to where he used to live. Many a time have I found him leaning on a gate to take breath. But he never complained. He used to say,

indeed, that it was a trouble to him to get home; but he never said it as if he thought it very hard that it should be so, and as if it ought to be different. Not so. Whatever came, he took it patiently; and all daily comforts and blessings he received with a thankful spirit. One cannot be surprised that a thankful man is happy.

But I must not forget another thing that had to do with his being happy. The house he lived in before was a long way from church, full two miles. True, the way to church was easy enough, for it was all down-hill; but going back, it was all up-hill, and that used to try him much. He never could attend more than once in the day, and that not without difficulty and distress. Now, he was one who loved the house of God; and, therefore, when he found himself within easy reach of the church, so that he could get there twice a day, and that with no hill to go up, then he was thankful indeed. Never was his place empty. And this was one of the things in his lot that made him feel as happy as a king."

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Now, there are a great many people in his circumstances who are very far from having his happiness. Eighteenpence and a loaf by the week, and the rent of one room, and the promise of a little more-why, there are numbers with far more than that who yet think themselves very badly off indeed; and, instead of calling themselves "as happy as a king," would be disposed to describe themselves as miserable creatures. And so, very likely, they are; but need they be so? If one man, as poor as they, was so happy, must

they be so wretched? Is there no help for it? Let us see. Let me, as it were, speak to such a person face to face.

This man knew and loved his Saviour; do you? Perhaps you do not. Ah, no wonder, then, that you are not happy. Never think that more money would make you happy, or a better house, or better food and clothes. They might do something towards it, but not much. You want more than

that for happiness; you want CHRIST. But now mark my words. You may have Him. More money, and a better house, and better food and clothing, you may not be able to get; but CHRIST you may certainly get. Now, just as you are, you may have Him; for He is offered to you. There is nothing to pay. He will be your Saviour, freely. And if you have Him, why, then you cannot be unhappy any longer; for in Him you will have pardon, salvation, life, peace, and the hope of heaven. Wretched? Miserable? Only have this, and you too will be "as happy as a king." And you may.

But perhaps there is something that stands in the way. Do you love sin? Any particular sin-drink, for instance? Though that sin has done you nothing but harm, though it has made you miserable, and does make you miserable, though it ruins your peace, spoils your home, and makes your heart wretched, yet, perhaps, you are its slave. Now, look this matter in the face. Are you going to be miserable all your life for that sin? Are you going to lose all for that? Are you going to live and die without comfort, without hope, without GOD, for one sin? Is your soul to perish for it? Are you to be lost for ever for it? For it comes to this; this is the question. Now, as you read these words, have you any feeling, any sorrow, any wish? Oh, cry at once to God, through Jesus Christ. Cry to Him for help, pardon, salvation. Beg Him to pluck you out of the net, and to rescue you from that sin. Beseech Him to have mercy on you, and to give you His Holy Spirit, and change your heart. The Lord Jesus died for sinners;

and you are a sinner. that ask; do you ask.

save you.

The Holy Spirit is promised to them
You are not lost yet.
God can yet

This happy man was a

You may yet be happy. But I turn to another case. thankful man; are you thankful? Perhaps you have been used to look at those who are much better off than you, and to feel discontented, if not envious. Perhaps you may be in the habit of grumbling and complaining. This is not the way to be happy. Remember, a grumbler will always find something to grumble about. But if you will look at others, turn your eye to this poor man, of whom I have been writing. Eighteenpence a-week, and a loaf, and his rent; nothing else for certain! Have you as much as that? Have you more? Well, you see, a man may be contented and thankful, and even happy, "as happy as a king," with even this little. If you seek to be thankful, may not you be happy too?

Once more. This man loved the house of God; do you? Perhaps, on the contrary, you seldom or never go near it. Perhaps it hardly ever enters into your thoughts. Perhaps you do not care a farthing whether it is two miles off or two yards. If you are so unlike this man in one respect, it is no wonder that you are unlike him in another. If you quite neglect one means of happiness which he valued and loved, why should you be happy as he was?

What is the house of God for? For prayer, for praise, and for preaching. You have some concern with all three. You have much to praise God for, you have much to pray to Him for, and you stand in need of hearing the gospel of salvation, and of getting food for your soul from the blessed Word of God. It was for this that this poor man was so glad to be near, and went so constantly, and loved to go. Try his plan. Try it in this point, as well as in others. There is some house of God within your reach, where prayer and praise are offered, and where the glad tidings may be heard. Go there. Do not be ashamed.

Do not

be afraid. You will find it good to be there. God will