At the beginning of the year a friend wished a great English statesman a happy New Year.
“Happy?" The response was a satirical question. "It had need be happier than the last, for in that I never knew one happy day.”
An English lawyer, whose life had seemed to be one success after another, had reached the topmost pinnacle in his profession. To a close friend he wrote: "Soon I shall retire to dear Encombe, as a short resting place between vexation and the grave.”
When one said to the great Rothschild, "With such tremendous wealth you must be a happy man!" he replied, "I sleep with pistols under my pillow.”
Compare these gloomy statements with Paul's triumphant acclaim: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." 2 Tim. 4:6-86For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6‑8).