SERENITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11478, 28 August 1915, Page 8

SERENITY.

WISDOM'S JEWEL « THE ST..OKG CALM MAN, Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient eftort in selfcontrol. its pre.-i nee is an ind'cation of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought. A man becomes culm in the measure that he understands himself as a l!'oU2ht-<?vcl\'ed being, lor such knowledge necks' itui.es the understanding; of others as the result of thought, and at. he develops a light understanding, aiid sees moro ahd utore tjie internal relations of by 'lie iction of rau..e and effect, he co;»es to fus<> and luino mid.worry and j.'i ie>e« and remains poised, steadfast, wene. The ealnt man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to atlii.pt himself to others; and they, turn, reverence his spiritual strengtM. aild led thai they van learn oi i<im an<; rely upon him. J'he moro _ tranquil a man becomes, the greater is _ Ins success, his influenci. 1 , his po-wer ior goocj Even the ordinary trader will lind lus "business prosperity increase as he develops a gt eater self-control and «'Oi tan unity, for people w.dl always o refer to deal with a man whose demeauonr is strongly equable The strong, calm man is always lored nnd revered. He is like a shade-giv-ing tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a stem. "V* ho docs n»-r. love a tranquil heart, a sweet-te rape rod, balanced iife? ft 'locs not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing thes.'blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and eabn. 'l'bat exemi>'te poise of character which we call serenity is the last lesson of culture, it is the flowering ot life, the fruitage of the soul. it is precious as wisdom, more to be desired than gold—yea, than eve)! fine gold. jlo'.v insignificant raero money-seeking looks in comparison with a serene lift*—a life that dwells in the ocean of Truth, beneath the waves beyond the reach of tcmpsts. in - tha Eternal Calm 5 " How many people we know who sour their lives, who ruin all that 's sweet and beautiful by explosive tempers, who destrov their poise of character, and make bad blood ! It is a question whether the great majority of p-oople do not ruin their lives, and mar their happiness by lack of self-control, now few people we meet in life who are well balanced, who have that exquisite poise which is characteristic if the finished character!" Yes. humanity surges with uncortrolled passion, is tumultuous with mtgoverned crief, is blown .ibouf by arxietv and doubt. Only the wise man, only he whose thoughts trc controlled and purified, make-s the winds and the storms ot the roul obey him. TempesVtossed wherever yo may be, under whatsoever conditions vo may live, know tlr's—in the ocean of life the is'es of Blessedness are smiling. and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keen your ha-r>d firinlv upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the com.nanding Master• He does but sleeo: wake Him. Self-cont.ro! is strenath : Right Thought is mastery; Calmness is power. sav unto your heart, *' Peace, ho st'll 1"