Following a gospel meeting a military officer approached the evangelist and greeting him with a cheery smile said: "You Christians are a gloomy lot; I am a happy-go-lucky sort and like something bright."
"I agree with you," replied the preacher. "I like something bright too; and I do not approve of a gloomy religion. I think we Christians have more right to be happy, and have more cause for happiness, than any other people in the world.
"But," he continued, "I cannot help thinking that even if it were otherwise, I should rather have my gloom here in this world than in the next. You would rather have it all bright and happy now. That is a very poor choice."
The officer made no reply. But two weeks later he met the preacher again and said: "I do not want my gloom in the next world."
What a joy it was to the preacher to hear this, and point him to the One who alone could change his heart and make him truly happy in this world and happier still in the next!