The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-19
LIVING PEAcRABLY.
As much as heth in YOU, live
peaceably with all men.-Ro-
mans. xii. Is

mans, Kill. Is
So far as the comfort Of life is con-
eerned, should say that self-oon,rol Is a
duty and necessity. When mans tenn
per runs away with him, his mental con-
dition differs very little from insanity
He allows himself to do what in his quiet
moments he regrets but the consequences
OF which he cannot avoid. A bitter word
may be flung from the tongue like a poi
soned arrow from bow, and the wound
made by it may even last as long as life
lasts.
A man is too large a creature to indulge
in impatience and in the waspish lang
mage which is the result Of impatience.
There is many hidden sorrow caused by
words which are not really meant and
which ought never TO have been uttered
Temper is a good deal like gunpowder.
SO long as no spark touches it danger is
evaded. but single touch Of fame and
an explosion follows which may blow TO
atoms, and beyond the possibility Of re-
pair. the sweetest relations that ever
blessed our lives.
II is not the great things that make
for human happiness but the LITTLE
things, and 1t is pity that so small a
thing as foolish word should be tranght
with such direful results. To be slow TO
take offence and to judge by motives
rather than actions is the prerogative
Of an exalted character, hut it is a very
difficult altitude TO attain, and few stand
on that spiritual summit In like man
ner, to be kindly and so loving that you
cannot give offence even by a thought
less word is the PECULIARLY Of conse-
Grated nature. What we say from con-
viction indicates candor, but what We say
from mere impulse does great mischief. /
It is nearly always safe 10 say what we
really mean. but what we say in temper
We do n0 always mean, and after it is F.
said we would give a great deal 10 get
it back.
More than that. words are very i'm
portant, for though they are the poorest
kind Of language they can very easily
convey a wrong impression, and wrong
impression may be very difficult TO change
to a right one.
One Of the best pieces Of advice ever
given is contained in this short warning: I
BE on the look out for your tongue"
II is the most cunning part Of the body, /
and when it forms partnership with .
hot temper it becomes very dangerous. /
The TWO together can make a wreck Of
the best life that ever visited the planet. /
Grand qualities Of character can be
spoiled by them and radiant prospects F..
destroyed.
II loved man as brother should |
tell him that perfect mastery Of him
self. of all the fiery and explosive ele- /
ments in his nature, was the first requi- ,
site OF the religious life, and that no one /
can hope to get on smoothly in this wild .
world who is not captain Of his own ship /.
We must learn not to say things
we would either do good or be good. /
The engineer who controls the seam
which his fireman generates drives the
train from village 10 village, but If he
loses that control no one can tell what |
may happen to train or passengers. Steam
the slave is all right and will do good
work but steam the master is fri nt:u
thing TO have any relations with.
The husband and father who is the
quiet, serene head Of his household, wisely |
Judging and graciously forbidding, has a
happy family and will be greatly missed
from the nearthstone when notice is
served to go up higher. The husband
who is irascible, on the other hand, whose
behavior depends on his mood or caprice,
has a family like a ball Of yarn with
which the kitten has been playing one
inextricable snarl-and it is barely pos
sIbIe that when he goes to heaven sense
Of relief may pervade the home circle.
There is very seldom any real cause
for a quarrel. There is never any good
reason why you should say what you
have to say in heated language. When