SILENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1661, 13 January 1917, Page 4

SILENCE.

There are times, even in the bestregulated families, when silence is a wonderful peace-maker. In certain moods of mind and body one may be wrought to frenzy by words and suggestions that in other moods would have no such effect. When one is hungry, or tired, or sleepy, or sick, he cannot take the same view that he does when full-fed, fresh and vigorous in health. If he can make due allowance for this inevitable state of things in himself and in those around him, and restrain his words, govern his tones, control bis manners, he may avert a deal of trouble. An impulsive word is sometimes as a spark to powder. We arc careful to keep dame from powder made of saltpetre and sulphur, and should we not be equally careful to prevent social and domestic explosions? Some persons are so constituted that iu certain moods they will say disagreeable things, simply because they feel like it. If the combustible .stuff about them is wet with the cool waters of silence it will iml lake lire, and great damage may be prevented. It is mere cruelty to take advantage of a fretful child and tease and aggravate and torment him, “for the fun of it.” And yet some families tolerate this species of amusement. How many words are best left unsaid! Why should we drop caustic remarks that can only burn and rankle and con-ode in the hearts they touch? Why, should we return railing for railing? Why should we meet petulance with harshness? Let us never forget that a soft answer turns away wrath.