In this second part another slant is given to the word enduring. Instead of stock and bond investments, human souls, Christian educational institutions, and various forms of benevolences are emphasized as the only truly enduring investments. Furthermore, logical arguments are given as to why this is so.

Whether or not our efforts result in good is the test of both rules of conduct and investment. But the desired end is only to be attained by having these results endure. Moreover, these good and enduring results are obtainable only by those who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; that is, on the happiness of others and on the improvement of mankind.

How does this conception of happiness size up with the aspirations of men as we find them? The savage is apparently happy when he has enough food for himself and family. The semi-savage, of an altruistic temperament, requires that his tribe shall have enough food. Civilized man feels that not only food, but shelter, clothing, and many other articles of comfort, convenience, and enlightenment, are necessary for his happiness.

Money Versus Happiness

The attainment of these desires, however, very seldom results in the end anticipated. How much evidence there is in the world to-day that property of itself does not bring happiness! That all the advantages which money can buy do not bring happiness. The happiest men to-day are those serving their fellow men. Those men of vision are seeking to further spiritual and mental progress. The degree of their happiness is in direct proportion to their own consciousness of effective service.

There are many men to-day who are imbued with the idea of service to their fellow men, who hope for the opportunity to render some notable service to the world. Many of these will succeed through true vision, intelligent effort, or fortuitous circumstance in exercizing a potent influence in the development of mankind. There is a much larger group of other men, however, who do not clearly see the light of service, but who nevertheless, are diligently seeking happiness each in his own way. Many of these are failing because they are endeavoring to reach the goal through temporary profits rather than through enduring investments. They are finding this an impossible road.

Is it not a fact many of our wealthy families would be far happier without their money? That in many cases the pursuit of wealth has impaired health and destroyed family happiness? That many boys and girls have been trained in ways of selfishness instead of ways of service? How true it is that profits in many businesses have been wrung from the very bodies of the workers and have caused untold suffering and misery! Think, for example, of the many businesses that require overtime in hurtful surroundings for the sake of added profit.

Money Versus Service

The aggregation of capital in the hands of certain high-minded men of vision may be a good thing for society. Surely many notable discoveries and enterprises which have benefited mankind would have been deferred far into the future had such accumulations been prohibited. The same wealth distributed among the people would doubtless have failed of any like accomplishment.

Nevertheless, the pursuit of money is a futile course for the average seeker after happiness. Profits are too closely associated with selfishness. Selfishness is the opposite pole to service.

As will be later shown, many are serving society by maintaining their business, giving work to employees and reinvesting profits to make that business grow and furnish work for more workers. We are also benefiting society although we reinvest our profits in outside businesses; but this is an indirect means of action for able-bodied men. That degree of service which will bring us the greatest amount of happiness is what we should each strive for. It is probably more attainable by activity within our own business and with our own employees than by investment in an outside industry.

It is true that in an economic sense profits in one way or another find their way back into industry and thus benefit mankind - unless we bury them in the ground. The huge amounts of stocks and bonds listed on our stock exchanges give testimony to the large sums of money which we are investing in the other man's business. But no such happiness is associated with this use of profits as when invested in one's own business. It is too remote. Piling up profits for the purpose of reinvesting in this manner soon palls on the man who is actively seeking to use his money to serve his fellow men. On the other hand, the business man who makes and distributes profits as he goes along within his own business, under his personal supervision, has very much better prospects.