St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-04-02
A Quiet Mind.
From the Christian at Work.

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Most of us have found out how much
easier it is to bear up bravely under a
great misfortune than to act with pa
thence, good temper and courage when
little things go wrong. How many
times day are we tried and harrassed
in the family One person is apt to be
irritated at tritles, and to speak petu-
lantly and hastily when provoked.
Nothing spreads more quickly than
such an infirmity. 1t is as subtle as
malaria, and as hard to overcome. If
father or mother have the habit of
speaking iT harsh, rasping voice, or
of magnifying little faults into great
crimes, the children will soon learn the
trick of scowling brows and Cross
words. We never hear a little girl
scoldihg her doll in uplifted tones, nor
see her striking and shaking it, without
suspicion that in that way she sees
the home government administered.
And when we observe gentleness, sweet
ness, and unselfishness predOminating
in the conduct of children, the infer
ence is natural that they live in sun
ny atmosphere, and have beautiful ex-
amples set before them daily.
How often we mothers have gone
from our rooms, where we have had a
tender season of communion with God,
have read precious promises in his
Book, and been strengthened against
need, and then, secure, as we thought,
against temptation, have had all the
peace banished by some untoward oc-
currence To enter the parlor and find
that Jennie is playing tea with the chi
ma which is your pride, or that Tommy
has made horse of your frail Japan
csc chair; to have favorite book,
which you loaned in the goodness of
your heart, come home stained and
torn; to go to the kitchen and be con-
honted by the stupidity or obstinaey
of an Ignorant servant,-these are COM
mon experiences, and how often our
self-control flies before them ! 1t is as
Illuminating as it is common to find
that when we are on the level of our
highest moods we are apt to be swept
down to our lowest.
How can we exercise ourselves so as
to have quiet mind In two or three
ways.
We cannot invariably control our
thoughts and impulses, but our words
and our tones are in our own power
We may resolve to preserve silence
when we are exasperated, till we feel
calm, and never to elevate our tones
when annoyed. A low, clear voice is a
great charm in woman; and when it
is mothers, it has an almost magical
influence in the maintaining of harmo-
ny in the household.
1t we would have a quiet mind, we
must give fair play TO this house in
which our mind dwells. Often the
temper is uncertain and fortitude breaks
down because the body is worn out bv
illness or sleeplessness. Let us resolve
to secure some needed repose, and some
small space of solitude every day.
There should be one room to which
morning or afternoon, we may retire
and be safe from intrusion, while we
read, mediate, rest or pray.
Let us make daily and practical use
of our Bibles. They are full of help.
of instruction, and of comfort. We can
open them nowhere without finding
some thought of God, outshining like a
star. and dispensing its brilliant light
for our cheer and guidance. The way
OF perfect trust is the only peaceful
way in this world, and they have most
of its joy who dwell nearest the heay-
enly Father.