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THE VANITY OF CARNAL MIRTH
WE are apt to imagine, that whatever is sanctioned by the approbation and practice of the world at large, must be right: but we cannot have a more erroneous standard than popular opinion. This is sufficiently evident from the estimation in which mirth and laughter are generally held: they are supposed to constitute the chief happiness of man; whereas they are far from producing any solid happiness at all. To this mistake Solomon refers, in the words preceding the text; and in the text itself he confirms the truth of his own position.
We shall,
I. Demonstrate the vanity of carnal mirth—
We mean not to condemn all kinds and degrees of mirth: there certainly is a measure of it that is conducive to good, rather than to evil; “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance,” and “doeth good like a medicine.” But carnal mirth is distinct from cheerfulness of disposition; inasmuch as it argues a light frivolous state of mind, and indisposes us for serious and heavenly contemplations. Of this mirth we affirm, that it is,
1. Empty—
[Let us examine the mirth which we have at any time experienced; let us weigh it in a balance; let us compare it with that sobriety of mind which results from scenes of woe, and with that tenderness of spirit which is the offspring of sympathy and compassion; and we shall confess, with Solomon, that “it is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting [Note: Ecc_7:1-3.]:” yea, the more we examine it, the more shall we be constrained, like him, to “say of laughter. It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it [Note: Ecc_2:1-2.]?” It may be justly called, “a filling of our belly with the east wind [Note: Job_15:2.].”]
2. Fictitious—
[The gaiety which is exhibited in worldly company is often assumed, for the purpose of concealing the real feelings of the heart. They who appear so delighted to see each other, have frequently no mutual affection: even the nearest relatives, who seem to participate each other’s joys, have so little real cordiality at home, that they can scarcely endure each other’s conversation; and would be heartily glad, if the knot which binds them together could be dissolved. Truly “in their laughter their heart is sorrowful;” their pride, their envy, their jealousy, their private piques, their domestic troubles, or their worldly cares, make them inwardly sigh, so that they can with difficulty prevent the discovery of the imposture which they are practising. The very emptiness of their pleasure fills them often with disgust; and they are constrained to acknowledge, that “they are feeding on ashes, and that they have a lie in their right hand [Note: Isa_44:20.].”]
3. Transient—
[Suppose it to have been for more substantial than it has, yet how speedily has it vanished away! What trace of it remains? It is like a dream when one awaketh: in our dream we thought of satisfaction; but when we awoke, we found ourselves as unsatisfied as ever [Note: Isa_29:8.]. If we thought by repeated participation to protract the pleasure, we weakened the zest with which we had partaken of it; and thus diminished, rather than increased, the sum of our enjoyment.]
4. Delusive—
[We hoped that the ultimate effect of all our mirth would be an easy comfortable frame: but has it always been so? Has not the very reverse been often experienced by us? Has not “the end of our mirth been heaviness?” An excessive elevation of spirit is naturally calculated to produce depression. Besides, we cannot always shake off reflection: and the thought of having so foolishly wasted our time, instead of improving it in preparation for eternity, will sometimes produce very uneasy sensations. Such warnings as Solomon [Note: Ecc_11:9.], and our Lord [Note: Luk_6:25.], have given us, will frequently obtrude themselves upon us, and make us almost weary of life, while at the same time we are afraid of death: so justly is this mirth compared to “the crackling of thorns under a pot [Note: Ecc_7:6.];” the one, after an unprofitable blaze, terminating in smoke and darkness, the other, after a senseless noise, expiring in spleen and melancholy. In fact, there are no people more subject to lowness of spirits, than they who spend their time in vanity and dissipation.
What will be “the end of their mirth” when they come into the eternal world, is inexpressibly awful to consider. Fearful indeed will be the contrast between the festivities of their present, and the wailings of their eternal state [Note: Amo_6:1-6.]! Would to God that man would learn this from a parable [Note: Luk_16:19; Luk_16:24-25.]! but, if they will not, they must realize it in their own experience.]
That we may not appear as if we would deprive you of all happiness, we shall—
II. Shew how we may attain more solid mirth—
There is evidently a contrast intended in the text: for when it is said that “the end of that mirth is heaviness,” it is implied, that there is another species of mirth that shall end in a very different manner.
The Gospel is a source of mirth to all who embrace it—
[The Gospel is called “glad tidings of great joy to all people.” It proclaims salvation to a ruined world; nor can it fail of creating the liveliest emotions of joy wherever it is received [Note: Isa_51:3; Isa_51:11; Isa_65:18 and Jer_31:4. with Act_8:8; Act_8:39.] — — —]
And the mirth resulting from it, is the very reverse of carnal mirth—
[It is solid.—Behold the change wrought in the first converts! see them turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God! see them enjoying peace with God and in their own consciences! see them filled with love to each other, and with admiring and adoring thoughts of their beloved Saviour! Can we wonder that they ate their bread with gladness and singleness of heart, blessing and praising God? Yet precisely the same grounds of joy has every one that truly believes in Christ [Note: Jer_31:11-14.]. The Prodigal fancied that he was in the road to joy, when he was wasting his substance in riotous living: but he never tasted real happiness till he returned to his father’s house: then “he began to eat, and drink, and be merry.”
It is permanent.—It will consist with trials and tribulations; yea, it will even arise out of them [Note: Rom_5:3. Jam_1:2.]: we may be “sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing [Note: 2Co_6:10.].” And, as it is not interrupted by the occurrences of life, so neither will it be terminated by death: it will then be augmented a thousand-fold: and continue without interruption to all eternity — — —]
Address—
1. The young and gay—
[Follow your career of pleasure as long as you will, you will be constrained to say at last, with Solomon, not only that it was all “vanity,” but also “vexation of spirit.” Yet think not, that in dissuading you from these lying vanities, we would deprive you of all happiness: we wish only that you should exchange that which is empty and delusive, for that which will afford you present and eternal satisfaction [Note: Isa_55:2.]. Even your past experience may suffice to shew you, that “in the fulness of your sufficiency you have been in straits [Note: Job_20:22.]:” try now what the service and enjoyment of God can do for you; and you shall find that religion’s “ways are indeed ways of pleasantness and peace.”]
2. Those who profess godliness—
[In avoiding carnal mirth, you must be careful not to give occasion to the world to represent religion as sour and morose. There is a cheerfulness which recommends religion, and which it is both your duty and privilege to maintain. Yet, on the other hand, beware of levity. Live nigh to God, and you will easily find the proper medium. “God has certainly given you all things richly to enjoy [Note: 1Ti_6:17.]:” yet it is in himself alone, and in the light of his countenance, that you must seek your happiness. There you are sure to find it [Note: Psa_4:6-7.]; and while you find it in him, you will shine as lights in a dark world, and recommend the Gospel to all around you.]