"I am that clown"

An excerpt from 'The Traveller's Guide, from death to life'. "...Simply a delusion, to think that because you see persons laughing and indulging in noisy merriment, they must necessarily be happy. A loud laugh or empty joke is often one of the coverings that one uses to conceal an aching heart. A man once went to consult a doctor about his health: he complained that he suffered from such overwhelming depression that his life was unbearable. The doctor examined him, and after a little while remarked that he wanted nothing except some lively amusement, to divert his thoughts from himself. "Try a lively novel - that woulde be about the best medicine you could take." The man shook his head, as if doubtful of the prescription, and then the doctor said again, "Well, I'll tell you what to do to cheer yourself up; go to such and such a theatre, and see what that will do for you." Still a turn of the head showed the patient had no confidence in the proposal helping him. "Well," said the doctor, "I can but think of one other thing or person that would help you, and if that does not do so, I am unable to help you. Go and see that great clown that has lately arrived, and is drawing such crowds with his merriment; and if you suffer from depression after hearing and watching him, I shall be surprised." "Ah," said the poor man, in a tone of the deepest distress, "I am that clown." There are many who might tell the same tale. Two voices in your ear today, one shouting promises of enjoyment and amusement, and trying to drown the other, a still small voice that repeats tenderly, "Come unto Me, all that labour and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." That rest has been dearly purchased for you, The Lord Jesus left His throne above, and came down here, that He might buy it for you, and He now offers it freely to you. "He is our peace"-Eph. 2:14, "Joy unspeakable"-1 Pet. 1:8, "God commandds His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"-Rom. 5:8.