Miscellaneous Writings Part 45

Would that my pen or pity could raise these weak, [15]

pitifully poor objects from their choice of self-degrada- tion to the n.o.bler purposes and wider aims of a life made honest: a life in which the fresh flowers of feeling blos- som, and, like the camomile, the more trampled upon, the sweeter the odor they send forth to benefit mankind; [20]

a life wherein calm, self-respected thoughts abide in tabernacles of their own, dwelling upon a holy hill, speak- ing the truth in the heart; a life wherein the mind can rest in green pastures, beside the still waters, on isles of sweet refreshment. The sublime summary of an [25]

honest life satisfies the mind craving a higher good, and bathes it in the cool waters of peace on earth; till it grows into the full stature of wisdom, reckoning its own by the amount of happiness it has bestowed upon others. [30]

Not to avenge one's self upon one's enemies, is the command of almighty wisdom; and we take this to be

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a safer guide than the promptings of human nature. [1]

To know that a deception dark as it is base has been practised upon thee,-by those deemed at least indebted friends whose welfare thou hast promoted,-and yet not to avenge thyself, is to do good to thyself; is to take [5]

a new standpoint whence to look upward; is to be calm amid excitement, just amid lawlessness, and pure amid corruption.

To be a great man or woman, to have a name whose odor fills the world with its fragrance, is to bear with [10]

patience the buffetings of envy or malice-even while seeking to raise those barren natures to a capacity for a higher life. We should look with pitying eye on the momentary success of all villainies, on mad ambition and low revenge. This will bring us also to look on a [15]

kind, true, and just person, faithful to conscience and honest beyond reproach, as the only suitable fabric out of which to weave an existence fit for earth and heaven.

Contagion

Whatever man sees, feels, or in any way takes cog- nizance of, must be caught through mind; inasmuch as perception, sensation, and consciousness belong to mind and not to matter. Floating with the popular current of mortal thought without questioning the re- [25]

liability of its conclusions, we do what others do, believe what others believe, and say what others say.

Common consent is contagious, and it makes disease catching.

People believe in infectious and contagious diseases, [30]

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and that any one is liable to have them under certain [1]

predisposing or exciting causes. This mental state pre- pares one to have any disease whenever there appear the circ.u.mstances which he believes produce it. If he believed as sincerely that health is catching when exposed to con- [5]

tact with healthy people, he would catch their state of feeling quite as surely and with better effect than he does the sick man's.

If only the people would believe that good is more contagious than evil, since G.o.d is omnipresence, how [10]

much more certain would be the doctor's success, and the clergyman's conversion of sinners. And if only the pulpit would encourage faith in G.o.d in this direction, and faith in Mind over all other influences governing the receptivity of the body, theology would teach man [15]

as David taught: "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."

The confidence of mankind in contagious disease would [20]

thus become beautifully less; and in the same propor- tion would faith in the power of G.o.d to heal and to save mankind increase, until the whole human race would become healthier, holier, happier, and longer lived. A calm, Christian state of mind is a better preventive of [25]

contagion than a drug, or than any other possible sana- tive method; and the "perfect Love" that "casteth out fear" is a sure defense.

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Improve Your Time

Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon [1]

the improvement of moments more than upon any other one thing. A great amount of time is consumed in talking nothing, doing nothing, and indecision as to what one should do. If one would be successful in the future, let [5]

him make the most of the present.

Three ways of wasting time, one of which is con- temptible, are gossiping mischief, making lingering calls, and mere motion when at work, thinking of nothing or [10]

planning for some amus.e.m.e.nt,-travel of limb more than mind. Rus.h.i.+ng around smartly is no proof of ac- complis.h.i.+ng much.

All successful individuals have become such by hard work; by improving moments before they pa.s.s into hours, [15]

and hours that other people may occupy in the pursuit of pleasure. They spend no time in sheer idleness, in talking when they have nothing to say, in building air- castles or floating off on the wings of sense: all of which drop human life into the ditch of nonsense, and worse [20]

than waste its years.

"Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait." [25]

Thanksgiving Dinner

It was a beautiful group! needing but canvas and the touch of an artist to render it pathetic, tender, gorgeous.

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Age, on whose h.o.a.ry head the almond-blossom formed a [1]

crown of glory; middle age, in smiles and the full fruition of happiness; infancy, exuberant with joy,-ranged side by side. The sober-suited grandmother, rich in ex- perience, had seen suns.h.i.+ne and shadow fall upon ninety- [5]

six years. Four generations sat at that dinner-table.

The rich viands made busy many appet.i.tes; but, what of the poor! Willingly-though I take no stock in spirit-rappings-would I have had the table give a spiritual groan for the unfeasted ones. [10]

Under the skilful carving of the generous host, the mammoth turkey grew beautifully less. His was the glory to vie with guests in the dexterous use of knife and fork, until delicious pie, pudding, and fruit caused un- conditional surrender. [15]

And the baby! Why, he made a big hole, with two incisors, in a big pippin, and bit the finger presump- tuously poked into the little mouth to arrest the peel!

Then he was caught walking! one, two, three steps,- and papa knew that he could walk, but grandpa was [20]

taken napping. Now! baby has tumbled, soft as thistle- down, on the floor; and instead of a real set-to at crying, a look of cheer and a toy from mamma bring the soft little palms patting together, and pucker the rosebud mouth into saying, "Oh, pretty!" That was a scientific [25]

baby; and his first sitting-at-table on Thanksgiving Day- yes, and his little rainbowy life-brought suns.h.i.+ne to every heart. How many homes echo such tones of heartfelt joy on Thanksgiving Day! But, alas! for the desolate home; for the tear-filled eyes looking longingly [30]

at the portal through which the loved one comes not, or gazing silently on the vacant seat at fireside and board-

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G.o.d comfort them all! we inwardly prayed-but the [1]

memory was too much; and, turning from it, in a b.u.mper of pudding-sauce we drank to peace, and plenty, and happy households.

Christian Science

This age is reaching out towards the perfect Principle of things; is pus.h.i.+ng towards perfection in art, inven- tion, and manufacture. Why, then, should religion be stereotyped, and we not obtain a more perfect and prac- tical Christianity? It will never do to be behind the [10]