--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 25 number: 6 published: 1922-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "The Sweetest Philosophy on Earth," *Improvement Era* 25, no. 6 (April 1922): 523–525.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2506unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2506unse start_page: 523 end_page: 525 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1922-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2506unse publication_year: 1922 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1922, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Sweetest Philosophy on Earth The Sweetest Philosophy on Earth From a Father to his Student Son. (Written in December, 1918) My dear, dear son: — The clouds are low, the smoke hangs heavy over the city, the scene, as one views it from his window . seems dreary and dark, quite symbolic of the soul during these days of misery and pain and suffering; occasioned largely by the results of the war, and the awful epidemic, probably a better word would be pestilence, which has been with us now for many, many days. No doubt, ere this letter reaches you, you will have been ad- vised of the sudden taking away of Delia ; and no doubt, too, on account of her closeness to you, and your admiration for her, you again will be shaken almost to the very foundation ; but such is life; and we who live must adjust ourselves to stand the great strain which seems, at times, will crush us to the earth. I have come humbly to the conclusion that about the only real pleasure one gets in life, is in the contemplation of living hereafter. One by one our attractions are pulled away from us and go to the unknown; until finally, we feel alone and lonely, and we commence to contemplate death as an attractive ex<- perience we anxiously await. When such a mood predominates, one must reason, more or less, on the whys of life. My reason has led me to the unchangeable opinion that the Christ, the great Master, left on earth the only true and sweet philosophy for mankind to follow to obtain happiness on this earth, as well as the best preparation for the life beyond. The greatest, sweetest philosophy on earth today, he expressed in three words, "Love one another." The application of this philosophy is the one surcease of sorrow. It is the only panacea for a broken heart. It is the only thing I know of which can raise a human being out of the dust and make him truly feel that beyond the deep clouds the sun still shines; that there is really and truly something to live for. I can conceive of no profession which better affords a man an opportunity to live that philosophy than the one you are following. [The study and practice of medicine] The follow- ing story brought this to my mind so forcibly by contrast that I must tell it to you. An eminent doctor in our vicinity was asked into consultation with another doctor who had not yet subscribed to the rules and regulations of a few doctors in this city; he refused to consult with this doctor. He also refused 524 IMPROVEMENT ERA the patient, who was then almost at the point of death with influenza, admittance into his hospital; simply because the one doctor had not seen fit to confine his prices and his ethics to the prices and ethics of a few who, through their profession had gained a competence, which, in their judgment, allowed them to be independent dictators. I knew these doctors, not many years aco, when they were building up a reputation among the people. Then they were men of hearts, who would call upon the poor and help them as quickly as they would upon the rich; and who, then, would render service without asking how much monev a poor soul had. How different now! How rich in spirit they could be by rendering service to the poor, as I am glad to say some do, how happy they could be bv the knowledge that they had "Done unto others as they would like to be done by." How blessed could they be, if they did not figure everything from its monetary value. P. how I hope that I am not rearing and educating a son who will turn aside the poor and distressed for the consideration of a dollar. What room is there in the hearts of the people, what room is there in heaven, for the Shylocks who would have their oound of flesh? Probably, besides the conditions above referred to, the spirit of this letter is controlled largely by the occasion of the spa^on which will soon be here, and which is expressed by the Master whoce birth we commemorate on Christmas, in these beautiful words: "Peace on earth, good will towards men." Plea°e. son, in vour preparation for life, do not overlook the n^derlvinjr principles of a successful man. Be honest, be hum- ble, be humane. Give preference to the unfortunate. In your conclusions don't forget to let mercy season justice; then your success will be assured; your worth to the world depends up- on it. Keep close to you at your desk and in your library the teachings of the Master. Read them as you read your medical books. Coat your doings with their spirit as you coat your pills with sugar. I want you to record this in your memory some place, and think about it even after daddy has left you; that the time has come when no man can be truly great unless he is truly good. I hope you are so living that when Christmas morning comes, you will awaken in the spirit of humility and meek- ness, remembering truly the cause of Christmas day. Utter no harsh or vindictive words; cultivate a smile that bespeaks con- tentment and love for your fellow men. That spirit will bring you more contentment than all the gold on earth. "With that priceless treasure you can purchase the heart's desire. You SWEETEST PHILOSOPHY ON EARTH 525 will recall, as a matter of history, how easy it was for Alexander the Great to master the world, and yet when he could not master himself, he was but a thing to he pitied. Train yourself to be clean, industrious and honest, and you will succeed; ancl your success will be not only that which sat- isfies you, but will receive the commendation of the world. Remember: "Heaven is not reached at a single bound; But we build the ladder by which we rise, From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies; And we mount to its summit, round by round.'' I do not want you to feel that I am discouraged or sad- dened to the point of dispondency; on the contrary, life seems sweeter. I admit, however, that the gulf between here and hereafter does not seem so great as it used to, neither does it seem impending; and I assure you I do not contemplate it with the horror and fear I formerly did. Later events seem to have opened my vision and brought me in the spirit of humility up to the shores of the ocean of eternity, where just across I can see and hear the sweet voices of those who have gone before. Lest this letter is too long and doleful, I must close; but before I do, I want to extend to you the season's greetings. I hope that you will be touched with the real spirit of Christmas, and that you will see life, in its fulness, as an opportunity to do good unto your fellowmen; and that you will bring yourself truly to the point where you can extend love and assistance to all of God's children, and to the high standard of mankind where you will not judge a man by the clothes he wears. Witfi deepest love and best wishes for your success in life, I am, affectionately yours, Father and Son My eyes grow dim, i. y step is slow, As life is fast departing; I gaze upon my baby boy, Now grown to manhood starting. My strength is spent, I cannot hold Nor guide him day by day; Yet still I rest secure in thought, For I see a surer way: God hold and keep those little hands; I'll bless them while I can, For He will guide, inspire and lead My son to be a man. Mesa, Ariz. May W. Berry