St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-12-11
A Quiet Mind.


Most of MS have found out how mnch
easier 1t is to bear up bravely under a
great misfortune tlrin to act with pa
thence, good temper, and courage
when little things 20 wrong. How
many times a day are we tried and
harasscd in the family One person
is apt to be irritated at trities, and to
speak petulantly 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 IN harsh, rasp-
ing voice. or of magnifying little faults
into girat crimes, the children will
soon learn the trick of scowling hrows
and cross words. We never hear a
little girl scolding her doll. III upliitcd
tones, nor see her striking and shaking
it, without suspicion that in that
way she sees the home government
administered. And when we observe
centlcucss. sweetness, and unsclish
ness predominating in the conduct of
children, the inference is natural that
they live in sunny atmosphere, and
have beautiful examples set before them
daily.
How often we mothers have gone
from our rooms, where we have had Il
tender season of communion with God,
have read precious promises in his
Book, and been strengthened against
need, and then, secure, rs we thought,
against temptation, have had all the
pence banshcd by some untoward oc-
currencei TO enter the parlor and
find that Jennie is playing tea with
the china which is your pride, or thar
Tommy has made horse of your frail
Japanese chair; to have .a'.favorte
book. which You loaned in the: good
ness of your heart. come home stained
and torn to go to the kitchen and Ice
confronted by the stupidity or ohstima-
" Oh dI lPhbl dtlt SCI VAN -tii'N' 'll'
common experiences, and how often
our self-c0ntrol flies before them 1t
is as humiliating 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 50 as
to have a quiet mind Ia two or three
ways.
We cannot invariably control our
thoughts and impulses. hut our words
and our tones are in our power. We
may resolve to preserve silence. when
we are eXasperated, till we feel calm,
and never Ia elevate our tones when
annoyed. 4 low. clear voice is ii great
charm in II woman and when it is u
mothers il has an almost magical in
fluencc in the maintaining of harmony
in the household.
If We would have a quiet mind, we
must give fair play to this house in
which our mind dwclIs. Often the
temper is uncertain aud fortitudc
breaks down because the body is worn
out by illness or slceplcssucss. Let Us
resolve to secure some needed Iepose,
and some small space of solitude every
day. There should he one room to
which. morning or afternoon, we may
retire, and he safe from intrusion,
while We read, mediate, rest, or pray.
Let MS make daily and practical use
of Our Bibles. They are full of help.
of instruction, and of comfort. We
can open them nowhere without find
ing some thought of God. outshiuins
like a star, and Dispensing its brilliant
light for our cheer and guidance. The
way of perfect trust is the only peace
fni way in this world, and they have
most of its joy who dwell nearest the
heavenly Father Christian at Work