J. C. Ryle on the blessing of a merry heart

[Reformed Covenanter]

The Christian who withdraws entirely from the society of his fellow-men, and walks the earth with a face as melancholy as if he was always attending a funeral, does injury to the cause of the Gospel. A cheerful, kindly spirit is a great recommendation to a believer.

It is a positive misfortune to Christianity when a Christian cannot smile. A merry heart, and readiness to take part in all innocent mirth, are gifts of inestimable value. They go far to soften prejudices, to take up stumbling-blocks out of the way, and to make way for Christ and the Gospel. ...

For the reference, see J. C. Ryle on the blessing of a merry heart.

 

[Pergamum]

Ouch. I have struggled with this now during the past year during bouts of great pain. I just told my wife this week that I wanted to disappear entirely from society and walk the face of the earth until I either drop over dead or recover (walking seems to help the pain). Ryle must have been snooping in on my conversation, just like Zuckerberg and the Illuminati.