On another occasion I heard the widow ask one of the pall-bearers when we turned away from the grave: "How did you like that sermon?" The following day I met her son-in-law and was told that she had not liked it at all. Among other things he remarked: "She simply wanted you to put some feathers in her crown, but there wasn't any room for them." And I agreed with him. * * * * * In both instances man and wife lived together until parted by death. But love had died--happiness vanished. Speak to each other the kindly words--scatter flowers on each other's way throughout the year, then Love groweth, and happiness in the home increases in intensity. Then you can truly sing: Home, home, sweet, sweet home, There's no place like home-- O, there's no place like home. 2. _The Hidden Life_ (MAT. 6, 5-7) The inscription on the tombstone erected on the grave of the great French philosopher, Descartes (died 1650), reads: "_He has lived well who was hidden well_," or, "_He is happy whose life is hidden_." In this lies the thought that happiness depends upon the hidden life--that this is something good which affords one a refuge. Nowadays, the prevailing impression is that happiness is contingent upon _life in public view_; that happiness consists in the ability to attain a prominent position, in being admired, gaining wealth and winning fame. This is an absolute delusion. Andrew Carnegie, the late multi-millionaire, said: "I have tried to make money by leading an incessantly busy life--but it did not make me happy. Now I have tried to give money away to public institutions--and still I found no happiness in that"; this is an impressive testimony from a prominent and honest man, showing that happiness has nothing to do with life in the public view. It is this Jesus says to the Pharisees: You stake all upon _leading your life in public view_, in the synagogues and in the streets, to gain the admiration of men. For this reason you have forgotten to seek the good refuge with God, to lead a hidden life with God, full of prayer. Therefore, your public life is devoid of blessing to the people and without joy to yourselves. _You have no reward, and no happiness._ "Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret." You shall seek the hidden corners of your own heart and there speak with your Father about that life which stirs in there, unseen by the world. Then you will soon realize the necessity of hiding with God the Father and of living your life with Him hidden away from the world. That is the condition for your becoming a happy man or a happy woman, and it will contribute to the bliss of that part of your life which must be lived before the public. Therefore, this shall be my New Year's wish for you, that you _during the coming year may find the happiness which lies in the hidden life of prayer, with God_.