Jesus said, "When thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret." Matthew 6:17, 18. Whatever is done to the glory of God is to be done with cheerfulness, not with sadness and gloom. There is nothing gloomy in the religion of Jesus. If Christians give the impression by a mournful attitude that they have been disappointed in their Lord, they misrepresent His character and put arguments into the mouth of His enemies. Though in words they may claim God as their Father, yet in gloom and sorrow they present to the world the aspect of orphans.

Jesus sagde: »Men når du faster, så salv dit hoved og vask dit ansigt, for at ikke andre mennesker skal se på dig at du faster, men kun din Fader, som er i løndom.« Alt, hvad der gøres til Guds ære, skal gøres med glæde, ikke med bedrøvelse og tungsindighed. Der er intet trist i Jesu religion. Dersom de kristne ved et sørgmodigt udseende giver indtryk af at være blevet skuffet af Herren, stiller de hans karakter i et urigtigt lys og lægger argumenter i hans fjenders hånd. Skønt de med munden vel kan påstå, at Gud er deres fader, vil de ved deres tristhed og sørgmodighed give verden det indtryk, at de er faderløse.