the
destroying power of words! There are words that sever hearts more than
sharp swords do; there are words the point of which sting the heart through
the course of a whole life."

10. CHARACTER EXHIBITS ITSELF.--Character exhibits itself in self-control
of speech as much as in anything else. The wise and forbearant man will
restrain his desire to say a smart or severe thing at the expense of
another's feeling; while the fool blurts out what he thinks, and will
sacrifice his friend rather than his joke. "The mouth of a wise man," said
Solomon, "is in his heart: the heart of a fool is in his mouth."

11. BURNS.--No one knew the value of self-control better than the poet
Burns, and no one could teach it more eloquently to others, but when it
came to practice, Burns was as weak as the weakest. He could not deny
himself the pleasure of uttering a harsh and clever sarcasm at another's
expense. One of his biographers observed of him, that it was no extravagant
arithmetic to say that for every ten jokes he made himself a hundred
enemies. But this was not all. Poor Burns exercised no control over his
appetites, but freely gave them the rein:

"Thus thoughtless follies laid him low,
And stained his name."

[Illustration: LOST SELF-CONTROL.]

12. SOW POLLUTION.--Nor had he the self-denial to resist giving publicity
to compositions originally intended for the delight of the tap-room, but
which continued secretly to sow pollution broadcast in the minds of youth.
Indeed, notwithstanding the many exquisite poems of this writer, it is not
saying too much that his immoral writings have done far more harm than his
purer writings have done good; and {16} it would be better that all his
writings should be destroyed and forgotten, provided his indecent songs
could be destroyed with them.

13. MORAL PRINCIPLE.--Many of our young men lack moral principle. They
cannot look upon a beautiful girl with a pure heart and pure thoughts. They
have not manifested or practiced that self-control which develops true
manhood, and brings into subordination evil thoughts, evil passions, and
evil practices. Men who have no self-control will find life a failure, both
in a social and in a business sense. The world despises an insignificant
person who lacks backbone and character. Stand upon your manhood and
womanhood; honor your convictions, and dare to do right.

14. STRONG DRINK.--There is the habit of strong drink. It is only the lack
of self-co