St Ignatius College - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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8 JGNA TIAN pleasure and honor-these are the ambitious man's earthly goal. Let us enquire into the nature of each and see if on their attainment perfect happiness ensues. Question mankind in general in regard as to which of the three above mentioned material goods constitutes the foundation of happiness and the answer will most likely be- wealth g pleasure, honor, and even life itself become sacri- ficial gifts in the amassing of wealth. And for what reason? Surely not for the gaining of peace, if we would believe the words of those upon whom it has smiled and who testify that riches are a hindrance rather than an instrument useful in the attainment of happiness. 'Wealth is but a means to an end, an object by which our natural physical wants are satisfied. When used with mod- eration it is a blessingg when but an instrument of over- indulgence, it becomes a curse. As Cicero says: Nothing is greater proof of a mean and grovelling disposition than to be fond of riches, while nothing is more noble and exalted than to despise money if thou hast it not, and if thou hast it to employ it in acts of beneficence and liberalityf' Closely akin to wealth is avarice, even as father and child. Wealth begets avariceg avarice destroys what peace the mind has formerly possessed. A man avaricious in nature is for- ever seeking to attain a greater amount of wealth. The unrest caused by this desire, together with the fear that what he has hoarded already may be lost, renders happiness and contentment impossible. On all sides we see men corrupt and unscrupulous yet rich in worldly wealth, thereby teaching us that riches cannot always be recognized as a measure of virtue, but frequently rather the contrary. Would that we could see behind the mask magnificence wears before its admirers of wealth, and read the abiding thoughts of its possessors. Then could we realize more fully its utter futility as a means to perfect happiness. V

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HEART YEARNINGS 7 longing for a perfect state of peace, a lasting hope of eternal happiness, his every thought, word and action tending to bring him nearer to this goal. To him true happiness is the one great end, not mere pleasure, but happiness in an unalloyed state, devoid of misery, freed from anxiety, unrest and the weariness of life. Emperors seek it as does the laborer of the field-the beggar sitting in his hovel and the rich man in his palace-the savage in his pathless waste and the pampered social favorite in the city. Youth is fraught with promise, with hopes, the fruit of which are disenchantment. Ambition whispers and conjures up the day when honor, wealth and earthly pleasures shall be possessed in abundance, giving promise of perfect happiness to be found through these means. But what a rude awaken- ing awaits these fond hopes? The once gorgeously tinted dreams give place to the hard realities of life. Even though after many years of ceaseless toil some deem themselves fortunate by reason of their attainment of riches and position, still is there something lacking. They have seemingly at last grasped the cup of happiness only to find it made bitter by the dregs it holds. Successful in numerousicampaigns, with half of Europe bowing before his throne, Napoleon still sought for more power, only to lose all and die an exile. He sought perfect happiness in life, but it eluded his grasp. Elba and Ver- sailles, what a contrast! The tears of Alexander shed on the realization that no more worlds were his to conquer, and the wonderful yet unsatisfying knowledge of Solomon evi- dence the same unpalatable truth. Colton has said: Anthony sought for happiness in love, Brutus in glory, Caesar in dominion, the first found disgrace, the second disgust, the last ingratitude, and each destruction. From the foregoing we can clearly see that man is for- ever seeking perfect happiness and therefore the question naturally arises: how can he attain this, the one great object of life? Can earthly possessions, bringing with them all material goods, appease the yearnings of his heart? Wealth,

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HEART YEARNINGS 9 Wealth has been the undermining influence by which man and even nations have fallen. Yet great as has been the havoc wrought by wealth, greater by far has been that worked by sensual pleasures. Rome, the greatest of all ancient Empires, fell through this means, while the present decline of many modern nations may be attributed to the same cause. - The quest after perfect happiness should raise us above things material, should give us higher ideals, and nobler thoughts. Yet how far different does this gratification of bodily pleasures affect us. Man cannot act against the dic- tates of his conscience without suffering anguish, without realizing his humiliation and his lack of moral strength, his sin. Vice not only produces suffering spiritually, but physi- cally as well. The body, though strong and robust, cannot withstand the assaults by this sin any more than can an ancient fortification the modern projectile. In yielding man falls to a plane as low, and in some cases lower, than that of the dumb brutes. Is this the means by which to attain perfect happiness? Is this the method to be employed so that the eternal craving may find satisfaction? Gaze upon the broken bodies of these who have become the slaves of this apalling vice and an answer will be found. Who among men has not sought after honor in some form or another, at some stage of life. The desire to attain honor is, in the words of Rev. W. Kelley, one of the most powerful of human instincts. We seek to gain the commendation and praise of our fellow creatures and in this we find enjoyment and satisfaction 5 yet honor considered either as the knowledge others have of our good qualitiesg or the outward manifestation of this knowledge, cannot give perfect happiness. Honor cannot add one whit of perfection to our intellect or our will. It is but an earthly gift, bestowed by a fickle hand, bringing with it an uncertain period of possession. To-day one may be acclaimed by all, to-morrow