CONVERSATION XII.
Uncle Philip tells the Boys about Ants that go to War and fight Battles; and about some that are Thieves, and have Slaves.
"Well, my lads, how do you do to-day?"
"Very well, Uncle Philip, we thank you. And we wish to let you know that we kept our promise to learn our lessons. Our teacher was very well satisfied with every one of us."
"That is well, boys. I am truly glad to hear this from you: and I make no doubt that you also felt a great deal happier than you would have done had you neglected to learn your lessons. Did you not?"
"Oh yes, Uncle Philip, much happier; and far more cheerful and good-natured."
"Such are apt to be the feelings, boys, of those who have done their duty. I am verily persuaded that there is no such thing as real, solid happiness in this world, but in that man who acts from a sense of duty. His is true peace, because it is 'the peace of God.' I do not say, boys, that a man, even when he does his duty, always feels comfortable or happy at once; but he will be more apt to feel so than if he did not do his duty: and I do say that no man who does not act from a sense of duty, is likely to feel any thing like happiness very often or very long."
"Then, Uncle Philip, a man who wishes to be happy will try in the first place to find out what his duty is."
"To be sure, he will; and he need not try very long either, if he really wishes to know it. The will of God, boys, is at the bottom of all our duties; and an honest man, yes, or boy either, can commonly tell what God will think to be right or wrong in his conduct. You know where a great many of our duties are very plainly written down for us; do you not?"