way on the road to nervous health. Give of yourself, give of
your substance, and you will cease to be troubled with the penalties of
selfishness. Then take the next step--that gives not because life has
come back, but because the world has become larger and warmer and
happier. When the giver gives of his sympathy and of his means because
he wants to,--not because he has to do so,--he will begin to know what I
mean when I say it is better to have the inspiration first.

VII

SELF-CONTROL

He only earns his freedom and existence
Who daily conquers them anew.
GOETHE.

A good many writers on self-control and kindred subjects insist that we
shall conscientiously and consciously govern our mental lives. They say,
"You must get up in the morning with determination to be cheerful." They
insist that in spite of annoyance or trouble you shall keep a smiling
face, and affirm to yourself over and over again the denial of
annoyance.

I do not like this kind of self-control. I wish I could admire it and
approve it, but I find I cannot because it seems to me self-conscious
and superficial. It is better than nothing and unquestionably adds
greatly to the sum of human happiness. But I do not think we ought to be
cheerful if we are consumed with trouble and sorrow. The fact is we
ought not to be for long beyond a natural cheerfulness that comes from
the deepest possible sources. While we are sad, let us be so, simply and
naturally; but we must pray that the light may come to us in our sorrow,
that we may be able soon and naturally to put aside the signs of
mourning.

The person who thinks little of his own attitude of mind is more likely
to be well controlled and to radiate happiness than one who must
continually prompt himself to worthy thoughts. The man whose heart is
great with understanding of the sorrow and pathos of life is far more
apt to be brave and fine in his own trouble than one who must look to a
motto or a formula for consolation and advice. Deep in the lives of
those who permanently triumph over sorrow there is an abiding peace and
joy. Such peace cannot come even from ample experience in the material
world. Despair comes from that experience sometimes, unless the heart
is open to the vital spirit that lies beyond all material things, that
creates and renews life and that makes it indescribably beautiful and
significant. Experience of material things is only the beginning. In it
and