ut out the fire of fierce anger in our
hearts, and change us from wild beasts to men! So I've said my say,"
added Jonas with a smile; "and in token of my first victory over my old
foe, come here, my boy, and give us your hand!"

"O uncle, I am so sorry!" exclaimed Johnny, with moistened eyes, as he
felt the kindly grasp of the old man.

"Sorry are you? and what were you on Saturday when I shook you as a cat
shakes a rat?"

"Why, uncle, I own that I was angry."

"Sorry now, and angry then? So it's clear that the mild way has the best
effect, to say nothing of the example." And Jonas fell into a fit of
musing.

All was fair weather and sunshine in the home on that day, and on many
days after. Jonas had, indeed, a hard struggle to subdue his temper, and
often felt fierce anger rising in his heart, and ready to boil over in
words of passion or acts of violence; but Jonas, as he had endeavoured
faithfully to serve his Queen, while he fought under her flag, brought
the same earnest and brave sense of duty to bear on the trials of daily
life. He never again forgot his resolution, and every day that passed
made the restraint which he laid upon himself less painful and irksome
to him.

If the conscience of any of my readers should tell him that, by his
unruly temper, he is marring the peace of his family, oh! let him not
neglect the evil as a small one, but, like the poor old sailor in my
story, resolutely struggle against it. For _an angry man stirreth up
strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression._

There is sin in commencing strife;
Sin in the thoughtless jest
Or angry burst,
Which awakens first
The ire in a brother's breast!

There is sin in stirring up strife,
In fanning the smouldering flame,
By scornful eye,
Or proud reply,
Or anger-stirring name.

There is sin in keeping up strife,
Dark, soul-destroying sin.
Who cherishes hate
May seek heaven's gate,
But never can enter in.

For peace is the Christian's joy,
And love is the Christian's life;
He's bound for a home
Where hate cannot come,
Nor the shadow of sin or strife!

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FALSE FRIENDS, AND THE SAILOR'S
RESOLVE***

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