148 A WAY TO BE HAPPY.

 

“T hardly know what to think. The
way I live now is not very satisfactory. I
cannot find enough to keep my mind em-
ployed.” |

“ And never will, except in some useful
business, depend upon it. So take my ad-
vice, and re-open your shop before you are
compelled to do it.”

“Why do you think I will be compelled
to do it?”

“ Because, it is very strongly impressed
upon my mind that the laws of Divine Pro-
vidence are so arranged that every man’s abi-
lity to serve the general good is brought into
activity in some way or other, no matter
how selfish he may be, nor how much he
may seek to withdraw himself from the com-
mon uses of society. Misfortunes are some
of the means by which many persons are
compelled to become usefully employed.
Poverty is another means.”

“Then you think if I do not go into bu-
siness again, I am in danger of losing my
property ?”