Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-12-13

preston, which the other instantly re-
sented. A duel took place. One fell a
victim to this Gothic custom. Society
was deprived of Il valuable member and
a widow and her helpless children were
left to weep the fatal consequences of
one rash word. Two young ladies had
been for years inseperabie companions.
A, little alteration took place, which
tempted one of them, girl of an affec-
tionate but hasty temper, to call her
friend by opprobrious names. A quar-
rel was the consequence. By the in
terposition of friends, a seeming reaon-
ciiiation was effected. The one who had
been insulted shook hands with the cuf-
prit, and fOrgave her, as far as profess
sion went. But memory, too faithful to
its trust, will meyer allow her to forget
the language she heard. The other had
spoken such dagsers rs fixed an incura-
BILE wound in the bosom of her alienated
associate. The one was rash; the other
was unrelenting; and friendship la
ments the extinction of its flame in bO-
SONS which once glewed with its purest
and most ardent heat. From these an
ecdotes we learn to estimate the impor-
tance of self-command, with respect to
conversation, by remarking the fatal ef-
fects that may attend its absence.
But if impetuosity is inexeusable in
the presence Of equals, how much more
necessary is moderation of anger when
we are disposed to direct it against ser
wants, and particularly without just
cause! A lady had costly and beauti-
full set of china, which she valued very
highly. They were. perhaps, the envy
of some; they were, certainly, the ad-
miration of all her friends. They were
never used in the family except upon
such festive occasions as Il birthday or a
christening. One fatal evening, a SER
want was carrying them from the tea
room, when her foot slipped; the beau
tiful cquipage fell from her hands; the
stone pavement of the hall was covered
with the beautiful fragments; not sim
gle cup or saucer remained unbrOken.-
This unfortunate servant had lived with
the lady for many years, and was es-
teemed, among her other qualities, for
her great carefulness. A friend who
, was present, Instantly anticipating what
| the lady's feelings of concern must be,
| uttered some expression of surprise al
the accident; but not single word OF
anger escaped the lips of the servants
mistress. She bore her loss like phi
losopher, and onesmnst be as great an
admirer of old china as she was to be q
judge of the sacrifice she made of hel
/
here see distinguished instance of self.
command; and it would be as we'll ii
masters and mistresses always discrimi
mated between accident and design in
| the conduct Of servants.
| Self-command exercises its noblest of
flee when it enables us to maintain tht
| dignity of our nature us intelligent be
| ings, by establishing the empire Of rea
| son over the passions. 1t renders per
son the master of himself under all tht
various circumstances of life; in pros
perity, cheerful, without insolence; ant
| in adversely, resigned and calm, withou
detection. 1t gives an effeetual checl
to all the vicious propensities of envy
malice, anger; and, in the same proper
ton as it restraints them, it encourage
the growth of the virtues, prevent
them from running into extremes. ant
fixes their due bounds. If you cOnsid
er this self-comnIand as the proper reg
ulator of all the movements OF you
thoughts, words and actions, you will
be able to estimate its value, and ascer
tain its effects upon the happiness o
your life.