The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-01-22

what to do, and / think that we are not any
of us blessed with the best of tempers. L
am sure the last day you spent with us you
must have wished yourself in your own quiz
ct home again but do you know that sort of
worry goes on every day."
There should be none, Mary, in Chris
tian home, lest the way of truth be evil
spoken of. In large family, my dear, there
is need of great forbearance, and the spirit
of love should be very largely shed abroad.
to enable us to meet, and to adapt ourselves
to the various tempers, tastes, and pursuits
of all because you know even the youngest
child has right to be considered, and even
her little pleasures cared for"
"Do you not think, aunt, that, being the
eldest, ] have right to expect some degree
of Difference from my younger brothers and
sisters ?"
" You would like me to speak plainly, my
dear girl, and therefore | will do so. The
children of one family, be their ages ever
SO dissimilar, should never, l think, attempt
to exercise any authority over one another
while either parent is alive. But an elder
brother or sister may, by uniform course
of kindness, secure that which is of infinite
ly more yalue,-I mean influence. And thus
they may in reality possess control over
the hearts of the younger ones, which is
much more powerful than the cold hand
of authority, and willingly coded without
any opposition. But after all. the great pri-
vilege of an elder one consists, | think, in
the increased power it gives of doing good.
And you know we read that 'eyen the Son
of man came not to be ministered unto, but
to minister : and should we, who profess to
be his faithful disciples, seek great things
for ourselyes."
"You are quite right, aunt = and Mary
paused for few minutes, as though she
were doubling whether to confde her next
thought to her aunt or no. At length she
said. There is another thing, aunt, that
disheartens me. do not wish to blame nv
brothers and sisters, for indeed | really
think my temper is the worst of all but |
sometimes think, What would be the use of
my trying to exercise forbearance, unless all
would agree to do il toof When all seem
to be acting selfishly, what could one do :"
My dear Mary, shall remind you that
each one Of US shall give account Of himself
to God. But even setting aside this grand
motive. l believe no one who has not tried
can estimate the amount of influence which
one loving, unsel6sh spirit can exercise in a
household. II a cold and gloomy temper
can shed its baneful influence around, ma
king all who come within its shadow cold
and gloomy too, much more, blessed be God,
shall the Spirit of Christian love diffuse and
spread itself over the hearts around, till it
has moulded them in some degree to its own
image, and taught them to seek for them
selves that renewing Spirit whose fruit is
seen to be love and JOY and peace. speak
that | do know, Mary, and testify that |
have seen. have not always been the lone
" being you see me now. was once, as
YOU are, the head Of large and happy
household, and know that what tell you
is true"
And had you the same difficult materi-
ais to work upon, aunt Z"
." do not know, my dear. had nv own
evil heart to discipline ; and that was task
which needed all my energy, and left me no
leisure to scan the faults Of others. But
this ! found, that in proportion as | laid
down my own self-loye, and devoted myself
TO the comfort and happiness Of others, so
did all around seem to minister 10 nv COM
fort too, and, by sort Of reaction upon the
minds about me, to bring a tenfold blessing
back into my BOSOM"
81 would give anything, aunt, to be what
you describe" said Mary, musingly; !" but
1t does seem a most Herculean labor.
would make any exertion that would render
me more useful TO mamma, for she does look
so anxious and unhappy sometimes. But
can see plainly, from what you have said,
that the whole plan Of my daily life must
be changed"
Why SO, my dear!"
" Because, aunt, have not acted upon
the principle Of love you speak Of. | have
followed my own pursuits without any re-
ference to the comfort Of others; and even
in the slight review which my mind has
now made, | can recall numerous occasions
when The slightest interruption 10 these pur-
suits has made me irritable and unkind."
My dear Mary, let your faults be wha.
they may, want Of candor is not among
them. Half your labor is done while you
cherish and keep alive this openness to con-
yiction and believe me nv dear-haIiaya