The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-09-09
Fretfnlness.

II = lHe lretIlnS morse tnat 6WeatS,
said the coach-driver. Up hill and down,
over the smooth hard sand, and over
stones and through ruts, it was all the
same tQ the steady gray. But the young
black rcbampsd his bit, and pranced over
the sand. The foam lay in streaks under
his launches and on his chest. After an
hours drive, be was more fit for the stall
than the harness.
1t is quite as true of men as of horses,
that. 1.-THE frotting one sweats."
Ia our common tolls occur many little
anlnoya4ces which We. wish were out of
The way. Some pin loose, some article
mislaid, when We are in instant need of it,
disturbs the mind. 1t loses its balance by
the, yexation and foams and complains till
its fit place is a solitary bed. Others,
better disciplined, take these things as a
matter Of course they let nothing worry
them, If q pin is lost, while peevishness
is fretting they have new one made and
are off, If, a tool is missing, they have
the calm eye, which will find in five min
utes that which eludes the fretful for half
day. ".
Give composed, patient man. over
sight Of laborers, or a patient woman charge
Of a large household. That patience oils
every wheel things run smoothly and
run wen while an irritable, fretful mind,
with twice the help and half the cares,
will keep all in ." foam from January to
December. ......l...,...
With some, fretfulness becomes habit.
Even those protesting the virtues of piety
are Sometimes the victims Of this chronic
plague. Nothing contents them. Sur
rounded by bounties that are enough to
gladden., into grateful repose, they have
no eye for mercies. At much and little,
they carp alike, If pin is lost, or SER
want beyond call, they complain as loudly
as over a years rheumatism. There is no
joy Of harvest, if half hundred of hay
spoils. The journey is tedious, if the sun
shines dull aud gloomy if it does not
The servant is absolutely vicious and good
foor,nothing, WHO once week errs, or is
late or slow. i ot-...., ....... t..t
There are several reasons why such a
disposition should be, overcome, especially
by the children of God.
1t is foolish nothing is gained, but
much is always lost, by losing ones pa
tiehce and equanimity of mind. When
difficulties beset or trifes annoy, we over
come them only by cool head and firm
hand, while fretfulness Increases every an
noyance. 1t is hurtful to others. They
perhaps are sufficiently reproyed by glance
at the results Of, their carelessness, or have
erred by accident, when honestly endeav-
oring to do we'll. 1t is a cruelty which
debases and hardens them, at such time
to be Obliged to endure an undeserved or
severe reproach. II is sinful. We are
less than the least of the mercies we Gu
Joy. If truly grateful, whatever our es-
tate, we shall 6nd time for praise. Sell
dom-never, indeed do we suffer or endure
so much that We. do not deserve far more.
To repipes chafe, fret, complain, is there
fore wicked. 1t is to stand before God,
Holding in our hands the manifest bless
ihgs which He has in wise mercy given,
and say, like proud beggars, chord, is this
all? Why did you not give me more ?
or, Why did you give me astarnished
good? 80. 49,.
0, this fretfulness 1t destroys the
conieliness Of piety, wastes its strength,
robs it Of commendation.. Let US then
cease from it, as unbecoming the house
bold Of faith-as being really what it is, a
sin. ......