A MAN OF ACTION SUMS UP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23381, 24 June 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

A MAN OF ACTION SUMS UP

Heart's Secret Places

By H.G.B. the final summing up, I when all is weighed in the balance, it is Happiness that will, count—not Power, nor even 'Wisdom, but just Happiness, the fcast end as well as tho original begetter of Love. This is the theme of my book." In these words Sir Francis Younghusband introduces his latest hook, "The Sum of Things." It is perhaps a littlo odd that so eminent a soldier and man of action, whoso name will always bo associated with Central Asian exploration and tho Tibetan and Everest expeditions, should be also deeply concerned with the things of tho spirit —odd but all the more impressive. And this Sbklier, explorer and mystic also carries a. crystal pen in his pilgrim's pack so that his words can bo heard and understood by all. "Mystical Experience" Nevertheless, the inadequacy of words is sadly apparent when Sir Francis seeks to harness them in exploring tho secret places of the heart in writing of "the Mystical Experience," which is something transcending mere vocabulary and the general run of experience, "ho author calls in the great religious leaders to help him convoy his message. Ho agrees with Luther in finding tho very kernel, of Christ's teaching in tho text: "Theso things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain you and that your joy might bo full.'' Sir Francis proceeds: "Phis text, though it contains tho wholo essence of Christianity, has been greatly neglected. Too long have we been taught to regard Christ as a man of sorrow. Too long havo we had an instrument of torturo held before our eyes as a symbol of our religion. . . . "It was neither His grief nor His heroism that produced the mighty impress His mission made on mankind. It was His joy . . . Glad tidings of great joy Ho brought into tho world. ... Joy Extolled . "And Christ was not alone among religious leaders in emphasising joyFounders of other religions have likewise extolled it. 'Jov and gladness shall he yours, as von school yourselves by day and bv night in the things that are right,' said Buddha. 'May God breathe His balm on us and fill our hearts with joy,' pray tho Hindus. 'Fear God. Desire union with Him, contend earnestly on His path that ye may attain to happiness,' was the exhortation or tho Prophet Mahomed." . For' Sir Francis this joy or divine ecstasy is the sum of things. He tries to convey it out of his own religious experience and out of that of others, and so to bring it within ken of everyone. His message is that, ' The Kingdom of God is within you," and might bo called transcendental hedonism in ethics. This may sound formidable, but Sir Francis writes very simply, "as to a little child," and his discourse on the things of the spirit should bring nothing but good in an age divorced from tho spirit and dedicated to materialism. "The Sum of Things," by Sir Francis Tounghusband. (John Murray.)