Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-10-03
The Art of Self-Defenee.

sell defense!' Salu u young lellOW u
man of magnificent physique and
noble bearing.
The elder man looked at bis qnes-
toner with q quiet smile, and then
answered thoughtGully:
Eyes; l have both studied and prac-
tlced it,"
"Aby' said The other eagerly.
Whose system did you adopt?'
"Solomon's" was the reply.
Somewhat abashed the youth STAN
mered ont:
"Solomon'sl And what is the special
point of his system of trainiDg?"
Briefly this,' replied the other:
"a soft answer turneth away wrath"
For moment the young man felt
an inclination to laugh, and looked at
his friend anxiously, to see whether
he was serious, But a glance at the
accomplished athlete was enough; and
soon very different set of feelings
came over the youth as bis muscular
companion added, with solemn en-
phasis, TRY it,"
The recommendation is worthy Of
every ones serious consideration
There must be times in the lives of all
when we need a system OF self-de-
Tense; and to go into training on
Solomon'5 method will avert many y
painful conflict. He that is slow to
anger is better than the mighty; and
he that ruleth his spirit, than he that
taketh aycity;' The tongue is a fire,
world Of iniqulty," and precisely be.
cause "the tongue can no man tame;"
80 it is we'll to watch aud discipline it
constantly, lest by single hasty ut
terance we commit ourselves, doing to
ourselves more discredit with our
own lips than all the loquacty of
friends and foes combined. Fuller
quantity says: Learn to hold thy
tongue Five words cost Z4charias
forty weeks silence" In the pres
ence of detraction, defamation, insin-
uation, or prejudice. we shall do we'll
to remember the example of the Lord
Jesus Christ, of whom we reads He
opened not his mouth"
There may be times when prudence
dictates silence, and, again, circum.
stances where prudence of high
order may Justify US in speaking to
our own vindication. But the part of
prudence is ever to remember that the
preacher says: In the multitude of
words there wauteth not sim" True
multitude of words is not neces.
sarily, or Of itself, a sin. Loquacity
is more matter of temperament and
constitution than of morals or relig-
ion. But, then, mankind being what
it is, laxative tongue becomes to
many a temptation and snare. A
foolish person often speaks without
rejecting; wise man more often re-
fleets without speaking.
Bishop Joseph Hall says: "There
would not be so many open mouths If
there were not so many open ears"
This witness is true The Christian
will find it we'll to be occasionally
blind and deaf and dumb. Suspicion
begets suspicion.
The Christian should daily pray for
preservation from misconstruction,
Misrepresentation, inslnuation, exag-
geration, detraction, prejudice, or de,
famation. And if, in our daily con-
yersation, the language of our lips
breathes the spirit of Him who spske
rs never man spake," we may, in
spite of many infrmitles, enter into
the spirit Of the following lines:
mot all who seem to fail, have failed indeed;
Not all who fail have therefore worked in vain /;
For all our acts to many issues lead
And out of earnest purpose pure and plain,
Enforced by honest toll of hand or brain,
The Lord will fashion, IN his own good time
DE this the laborer's proudly humele creedD,
Such ends as, in his wisdom fullest chime
With this vast loves eternal harmonles.
There is no failure for the good and wise:
What though thy seed should fall by the wayside,
And the birds snatch it--yet the birds are fed
Or they may bear it far across the tide,
To give rich harvests after thou art dead"
A young man was sent to Socrates
for instruction. When charged double
fees, he asked: why charge me
double feesW Because" replied
Socrates, II must teach you two
sciences: the one, how to hold your
tongue; and the other, how to speak,
The religion of Jesus Christ does
both. Our wisdom is to learn from
the Master how tn nraetica thasa I'm,