The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-14
Apmsshnla aTnras.
AN IMPULs1vE BOY.

A boy with the elements of noble char
acter is often one of the most difficult boys
to N nsge,-one who Sorely tries, if ne does
not sometimes discourage, his parents or his
teacher. He is so restless, 80 impulsive, 80
intense, and moreover so self col f lent and
fearless, that it seems that if he could never
be controlled, never be brought into methods
of quiet, patient, persistent endeavor. He is
afraid of nobody and of no thing. Yet he
appears to feel Independent of everybody
He has his own ideas of what is best for him,
and he would like to carry them out. He is
quick to learn fer when he is interested in
study, or in any active pursuit, his whole
soul is in it, and he soon masters all of 1t
that he wants to but he is not disposed to
continue in any line which his parents or
teachers mark out for him. He turns from
one thing to another with rapidity, and with
an enthusiasm which goes as quickly as it
came; and those who could guide him are
tempted to despair of binding his attention to
any one thing permanently, after they have
thought him fairly fixed, and been disap
pointed so many times over. He is evident,
ly of loving nature, hut his temperament is
so active, and his emotions and desires of the
hour have such sway with him, that it does
look, at times, as if no love for those who are
over him could make him ready to submit his
will to theirs, or to deny himself cheerfully
on the strength of their better Judgment
Yet, after all, these are the very qualities
which are essential to a man of power, and
which tend to make character as winsome
as it is effective for good, when rightly con-
trolled and directed. The most admirable
character is not that of the man who has no
varying moods, no fluctuations of feeling, no
impulsiveness, no intensity, who is always at
the same dead level of emotion and purpose.
1t is rather that of the man of deep feeling,
of strong emotion, of positive likes and dis
likes, of quick impulses, but who is so disci-
plined by wise training, controlled by firm
principle, and perhaps subdued by spiritual
Christening, that all his powers are in proper
check, and at his intelligent command, SO
that his intensity and enthusiasm and indie
peudence are never manifested except in the
direction of lofty aim and noble purpose
Hence it often happens that parent of un
failing self pOise, and of remarkable symme-
try of character, wonders how his boy is 80
strangely volatile, and impulsiVe, and fear
lessly independent and forward, when, in
fact, the elements of that boys character are
the same as those which give that parent at
effectiveness and power, only, in the boys
case, they are not yet brought into barmo-
NOUS play. o. course it is more difficult to
guide and train such boy than one of
more sluggish nature and of less strength
and beauty of character. tits harder to cut
and polish diamond than to bring garnet
to its highest finish. A blOoded horse re-
quires more careful treatment than CON-
mon roadster. But the harder the work, the
more remunerative. Let parent or teach
err, therefore, who has such boy in his
charge, be thankful for the privilege of that
boys training, and be sure that according to
his faith and his faithfulness his own reward
will be in the results of his important work
Sunday School Times.