Article January 2, 1904 Issue

Self-control

ANNE DODGE.

What is self-control? Speaking from personal experience and demonstration, I should say it was the discipline of self, the government of self,—one's thoughts, one's tongue, one's speech, one's acts, to be absolutely under the influence of the divine Mind, not the human, and to know no other Mind or power but good. We are counselled to resist the devil and he will flee from us, to resist the impulse to think evil, speak evil, or act evil, and the temptation, no matter how strong, will flee, and we shall record another victory for Truth, and rise a round in the ladder of self-control.

When taunted or bitterly opposed or ridiculed, how strong the temptation at times to meet like with like, to answer wrathfully or scornfully, cynically or skeptically. How easy to meet the quarrelsome nature with impatience, with another expression of the same impulse that actuates our antagonist, or to be led into controversy, heated discussions, which lead us on and on until we manifest as much error as our opponent.

How easy to mete out scorn to the scornful, contempt to the contemptuous, and to the intolerant and self-opinionated, hatred and aversion! But if, instead of yielding to the tempter in these things, we first take self in hand, what a victory will be ours in the end! If we resist the temptation to argue, to quarrel, to get angry, or to be led into "doubtful disputations" that benefit no one; if we are gentle and loving, if we answer the harsh world with a kind word, the scornful and contemptuous glance with an eye in which the light of Love is reflected, if we are tender and merciful toward those who are filled with hatred towards us, then will self be governed by the Christ-mind.

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