SERENITY Human anger is never commendable, and rarely excusable. It can not be justified in one case out of a thousand. A ruffled temper is never a help, and it is often a detriment and hurt. Calm demeanor under any provocation is wise; blow and bluster are childish. A manly man always defers his anger, and thus he becomes "better than the mighty." The greater an offense may be, the more the need of considerate decision in respect to it. We can but respect a man who is as calm in speaking to a threatening foe as he is to a loving friend. "He that ruleth his own spirit is greater than he that taketh a city." Harsh words and fierce deeds never yet gave a truly great man any satisfaction. Our reasoning faculties are given us for use, and when we become so wrought up that we fail to use them, we belittle ouiselves. Fire and storm have no reason in them. To be wisely deliberate we must keep cool. The only vengeance in which a true gentleman is justified is that of exchanging charity for injury. Except anger at sin, no man can be angry and sin not. Except the vengeance of love, no man can wreak vengeance and get off even. "Anger is a stone cast into a wasp's nest." Better leave the stone in the brook. Suppress one moment's anger, and you may save yourself a year of pain. Nearly all troubles and trials, animosities and regrets, grow out of an uncurbed temper. Better put on the bridle. Bear and forbear. Anger is the fool's weapon. soft tongue that breaketh the bone. It is the DOMESTICITY Martha Washington, the first "first lady of the land," was rich in all that goes to make up ideal American womanhood. She was a woman of wealth, but her greatest riches were a warm religious spirit and plain good sense. Her air, her manners, all who saw admired; Martha Dundridge was born in Virginia in 1732, and at the age of seventeen married Daniel Parke Custis, son of the king's counsel for Virginia. At his death she was left with two children and a large fortune. At the age of twenty-seven she became the wife of Colonel George Washington, and took up her abode at the Mt. Vernon mansion. She was beautiful, elegant in person, not too tall, goodnatured, with fair complexion, dark, expressive eyes, and a look beaming with intelligence. She loved society, was always well-gowned, revered her husband, and often shared his headquarters in the field during the Revolutionary War; and she always received his guests with queenly courtesy. When Washington was elected President, she received a royal reception in New York. She was "clothed tidily in American textile manufactures." When her chaise rolled into the city, cannons boomed her welcome, and cavalcades of gentlemen were her willing escorts. Lady Washington's moral character was as lovely as her physical charms. She was not a person of distinguished literary taste, but she was a home-keeper, rising early, personally inspecting everything about the house, and after breakfast each day spending one hour in private devotion in her own room. She was a social favorite, though independent and plain. She often wore garments which were made from cloth woven by her own servants. In this habit her distinguished husband was her match, for at his inauguration he wore a full suit of fine cloth which was the handiwork of his own household. Mrs. Washington loved her husband and satisfied his craving for domestic bliss. At the time he took command of the American armies he wrote to her expressing reluctance at the separation, and added: "I should enjoy more real happiness in one month with you at home than I have the most distant prospect of enjoying abroad if my stay were to be from seven to seventy years.” Martha Washington illustrates Hermes' remark: "A beautiful and chaste woman is the perfect workmanship of God-the true glory of angels, the rare miracle of earth, and the sole wonder of the world." SINCERITY Be what thou seemest, friend o' mine, Say what thou meanest, friend o' mine; Dissemble not in word of thine; Speech insincere a true heart spurns. Do as thou'rt prompted, friend o' mine; Of what thou art-naught else is great. |