A Word of Advice to Those who Are Subject to Fits.
By I. Edgar Jones
ALTHOUGH I am not an M. D., I have at hand a few capital recipes for the prevention and cure of fits, and as I ask nothing for the same, you cannot, dear reader, reasonably complain of their price. We are all somewhat subject to such attacks. I have them occasionally myself, and I dare say that you are not wholly free from them, so I give these with the additional advice: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” For a fit of rage, walk out into the meadows or into the woods, and tell freely and without fear your opinion of everybody and everything to the wind. You will hurt nobody’s feelings by doing this, neither will you show yourself to everybody as a foolish abuser of others. The exact center of the field is the best for this purpose. “The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.” For a fit of idleness, count carefully the ticks of the clock for two hours, and you will probably be glad to take off your coat and try to do something. “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” For a fit of wastefulness or dissipation, go to the prison or the poor-house and you will be at once convinced that he who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind, and that he who makes his bed of brambles and briers must lie upon them afterward. “There is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” For a fit of haughtiness and pride, walk into the graveyard and study the inscriptions upon the tomb-stones; they will show what a man is at his best. Read also the second chapter of Ecclesiastes, and hear one who has proved these things say that greatness and happiness are not always hand in hand. For a fit of grumbling, look upon the unfortunates who are lame and blind, visit those who are ill, or insane, or suffering the pangs of poverty, and blush with shame for complaining of your comparatively light troubles and annoyances. “If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil lay thy hand upon thy mouth.” For a fit of envy and covetousness, go to the watering-places, and behold the great number of wealthy invalids that are there, some in carriages, and some dragging themselves wearily along, wrapped in innumerable folds of flannel, and suffering from every kind of disease. Consider the number who have been ruined by wealth and fame. Do not, like Israel, worship golden calves, but ask thyself earnestly, “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” For a fit of depression and discontent, look at the blessings a kind Providence has provided. If many of these have not fallen to your share, walk into the fields some summer day and listen to the birds as they sing upon the branches songs of thankfulness, perhaps for their breakfast, without knowing where the dinner is to come from, and consider that you are of greater value in God’s sight than hundreds of these. They that dig like the birds for worms will doubtless find them, and all who work wisely will doubtless be rewarded. “The fear of the Lord tendeth to life; and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.” For a fit of boastfulness, consider how long it has taken the wisest and best of men to find out how little they know and how much there is to learn. Remember that these rarely display their wisdom without cause or boast of its possession. A good merchant does not put all his goods in the windows, but keeps the most of them inside, and produces them only when wanted. “He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” For a fit of inordinate ambition, study the history of famous men. Remember that fame and distinction are purchased by labor and perseverance, and that luck and chance have no place in the successful man’s vocabulary. They must fight who win, and those who reach the top must climb to get there. “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.” For all fits of doubt, discouragement, fear, etc., etc., recollect that Providence always helps those who help themselves. Put your trust in Providence by doing all you can to merit its care, and do not expect to fill your pockets with gold, or your head with wisdom while you are asleep. Remember that Providence does not pay a premium upon sloth and idleness, but does run an Industrial Bank, and honors all such drafts. “He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good; and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.”—I. EDGAR JONES, in Sabbath Recorder.