THE STREAM OF THE MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS
Cheerfulness is the daughter of innocence and charity; and therefore the soul that is the seat of guilelessness and pure affection, is habitually joyous. 'The voice of rejoicing and of salvation is in the tabernacles of the just' (Ps. cxvii, 15). 'The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but justice, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost' (Rom. xiv, 17). Cheerfulness does not consist in a fitful, gushing, and boisterous mirthfulness which soon evaporates, but it is a steady stream of the milk of human kindness flowing from a serene heart at peace with God and man. A person of a happy frame of mind is not affected by the clouds and sunshine of daily life: 'Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times' (Ecclus. xxvi, 4).
-Cardinal Gibbons.
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From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
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