Jan.  27,  1912. — I  think  what  people  out  here,  and  for
that  matter  everywhere,  need  above  all  things  is  happiness,
joy — I  am  surprised  to  find  how  much  this  word  comes  in  the
Gospel  and  what  a  prominent  place  it  has  in  our  Lord's
teaching  and  life ;  it  is  the  Church's  first  business  to  show
people  that  Christianity  holds  the  real  key  to  this.  It  is
when  I  go  and  visit  people  in  this  frame  of  mind  that  I  feel
my  visit  has  been  justified.  People  do  so  need  real  friends.
I  am  sure  there  can  be  no  higher  object  in  life  than  to  go
about  and  just  try  and  cheer  people  up  and  enter  into  all
their  little  troubles,  making  them,  when  possible,  a  part  of
one's  prayers  and  leaving  ways  and  means  and  difficulties
to  God.  I  am  beginning  to  feel  it  must  be  a  crime  to  let
oneself  become  depressed  or  worried.  It  must  be  fought
against  for  other  people's  sake.  How  happy  Christ  seems
to  have  made  people  as  He  went  in  and  out  among  them.
They  heard  Him  gladly.  I  feel  it  all  very  uphill  at  times,
especially  after  a  day  in  Alix,  where  people  grumble  and
gossip  and  are  selfish  and  inhospitable — but  so  unhappy.
So  I  am  going  to  try  and  force  myself  not  to  worry  or  be
depressed.  Don't  think  me  lonely.  I  am  fortunate  in
having  a  few  people  like  Walter  Parlby  I  can  really  talk  to.
The  family  letters  and  yours  above  all  are  a  continual  joy.
True  joy  is  an  inward  possession  and  must  not  depend  on
circumstances.  How  wonderfully  God  helps  one  if  one
only  lets  Him.
Alix.
