The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-02-09
9
tBy {. J..

fhSi3hG never enjoyed = greater
of prosperity. nor produced a
more brilliant coterie Of statesmen,
scholars, and soldiers, than during the
reign of Queen Elizabeth. Conspic-
uouS among the stars who gave luSter .
to her glorious administration was
Sir Philip Sidney. He was the fore
most representative of English hiv
airy. and was addressed ~ Spenser
as
The president
OF NobleSs ana Chiyalry.
On one occasion a foolish young
man tried TO provoke him into a tight
going so far AS to spit in his face. Sir
Philip cody wiped ii off and said:
Young man if ] could as easily wipe
your blood from my conscience as |
can wipe this insult from my face 1
would this minut take your life"
This VAS the very highest form OF
~self-control and courage.
The majority of men will no doubt
say he was d coward to have submit
ted to so gross an insult, but if you
win read his life you will find him
as brave and m~agnaninous a soul as
ever lived. The crowning act of his
short and brilliant career proves be-
yOnd all question that he was the true
and chivalrous knight, sans peur ct
sans reproche.
At the battle of ZuJphen, fought in
the Netherlands against the Spanish
and Italians, he displayed great
bravery, receiving a wound which
proved fatal. overcome with thirst,
as most wounded men are. he called
for water. AS he was about To place
it to his lips a dying soldier was borne
past and fixed greedy eyes on il. Sid
e handed it to him saying, Thy ne
CeSSltleS are greater than mine"
This unselfishness and thought for
others in the very shadow Of death
could only have from d.
brave and lofty spirit. The bully is
always a coward at heart, depressing
the weak and helpless and will show
the white feather when put 10 a se-
we're test.
, 1t takes j great deal OF courage 10
deal with a cowar for he has no con
troll over himself and gives loose rein
to his appetltes and passions anC
there is no telling to what act they
may drive him.
IN the supremacy Of self-contro,, :"
=, says a prominent writer, consists one
, of the projections of the ideal man
= Not to be impulsive, not to be spurred
S hither and thither by each desire tina;
S in turn comes uppermost. is what edu.
: cation, moral education at least
strives TO produce"
e S~elf-cOntrol is the chief distinction
r between man, made in the image .
t the Creator. and the brute who give
e sway TO his passions and appetites
When a man gives way to his angr,
passions, and commits a deed. or ut
a ters words which often hurt still more
he is placing himself on a level witt
the brutes of the fields.
l think all OF us in a moment 0
s. passion, when we lose control of our
l. selves, give utterance to words whicI
+ in ~ cohAr n, 90 1ryn u-n.,IJ c;,r. n =,
thing to recall. BE silent or sa
something better tina silence" "
golden tongue is III the mouth Of IA
" bleSSed."
What must be said Of the ma
n who has SO little control of himself a
~ to allow his appetite to make a glu'
4; ton Of him. or worse still. come unde
III the influence Of strong drink. thereh
e. de%throning his reason and cnmmittin
ic some act for which he will have {
suffer the remainder Of his life.
n II there was more s~e)T-control theI
d. would be less use FOR asylums, pen
Of tentiaries, and jails, for most Of IT
inmates Of these institutions al
al placed in them because they could n,
al control themselves. Excessive ahge
he grief. fear. and even JOY. produce IL
ld most harmful effects. leaving z leSa'
III of harm to those who follow after
ne the years to come. How careful %
IT. rents should be to teach their CHI
a. dren s~elf-cOntrol, and not allow the
ng to have their own sweet will abo
a. what they want. Curse a child by Il
re qualification of every whim and Il
res chances are YOU will lay the found
ton for untold trouble, not only f
n himself but for society at large. i
1T said Nero was a mild youth, but "
or so spoiled by having every wish gra'
Iey fed that he became one of the grea
est monsters of antiquity.
lat The Rihle Draisos NOT the stro
mt man who 'taketh a city" but I
ms stronger nan who "ruleth his O1
All spirit"