Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-08-08
THoUGHTs FOR THE PEOPLE-No. 9.
The Value Of Manly Self Control.

The value of manly self control can scarcely
be estimated. 1t keeps all the passions Of the
human mind in proper subsection, gives peace
and serenity of mind, an equability of temper,
and raises very considerably the estimation of q
person for himself, while it also gives him digni-
ty, ease of manners, politeness, and great deci-
sion of character.
How different is this from a person whose mind
is like a weathercock, constantly turning and
twisting and always in tempest. How little
peace or satisfaction has he during life. The
slave of every passion and impulse, each in its
turn rising up and usurpng supremacy and for
cling the willing or unwilling victim, for victim
he is, to give entire subsection and lead life but
very little better than the brutes. How little
can such person accomplish during life, and to
how little purpose does he live. Having no pow
er over himself, or any passion or propensity he
may be addicted to, he can have but little over
others. He varies and shifts, perhaps endeavors to
rerform, and does form, per chance, new resolu-
tons, which are as suddenly broken as formed. AL
ways procastinating and putting of, he wastes his
energies instead of strengthening them; loses self
esteem and self-respect, and ere long becomes a
CIPHER in his own opinion, and no less in that of
the community. The condition of such man is
truly lamentable. We, ourselves dear reader,
have at times shared that condition and can speak
knowingly. At war all our lives with ourselves
we have perhaps never yet been able to claim the
victory. We have always been very prolific, too,
in our promises, which have been broken time
and again, and our energies thus wasted have at
times become almost paralyzed and we almost
ready to sink and give up what appears to be a
hopeless contest, and which if continued, promi-
ses to be life contest with some of us. And
now what is to be done about it? Shall we sit
supinely down and demurely fold our hands, give
up at once the long drawn combat, and inglori-
ously beat a hasty and ignominous retreat? Shall
we allow the vices, passions, and the thousand
evils of the human heart, to lead us captive and
sink us completely in vortex of misery, despair
and crime, or shall we rouse like men from out
Our sleep, cnliven every dormant energy, and
place ourselves under rigid and manly self-con-
troll !? Shall We be floating bubbles on the stream
of life, blown around like thistles on the wings
of every gale, or shall we determine to bring the
noble faculties which God has given us into
proper subsection; to use them for a purpose, q
high and noble purpose, to endeavor to be some
thing and to do something as we pass rapidly
through life.
Now then, before our youth is gone entirely,
and before our cherished hopes have vanished
into the past, hooking us as they 60 aeeting by,
all unfulfllcd, unrealized, let us once more at
tempt to place ourselves under proper controll-
ing influences, that of a manly self-control, a
strong determined self-denial.
Let nobly resolve to commence this day
let nil desperadum be our motto, and always be
desperately in earnest.
How happy would We be if our resolves so form
ed and recorded for security, can all be carried
out. If We can only place ourselves under a
manly self control, such control as every en-
lightened and christian man would esteem it a
privilege to be placed under.
Living as we should live under such influences,
and subject to undertaking rules and regulations,
there will be an order, a 6rmness, method about
our lives truly delightful; and while it gives us
happiness, peace Of mind, dignity, ease Of man
ners, true polteness and great force of character
that of firm character, will always greatly ele-
vate the hearts emotions and improve the head,
making us wiser, better, more contented with
ourselves and our various spheres in life and also
better Christians.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE