now the musical instrument
called the harp. All the strings are tuned into perfect harmony. If
there is a false note struck, that is a sign to the musician that there
is something wrong, and that the instrument needs to be tuned. The
discord is a symptom, that some cords are out of order. So, bad temper
is a sign that some string in our moral constitution is out of harmony
and needs to be tuned.

Good temper can be acquired.--It is the result of culture. There are
two things often confounded with it--(_a_) good nature and (_b_) good
humor. Good nature is something born with us--an easy, contented
disposition, and a tendency to take things quietly and pleasantly. We
inherit it. There is little merit in possessing it. Good humor is the
result of pleasant surroundings and agreeable circumstances. A
good-humored man is so when everything goes right; when things go
wrong, his good humor departs and bad humor takes its place. But good
temper results from training and self-control--keeping constant watch
over our passions and feelings, and above all being in constant harmony
with God; for he who is at peace with God is at peace with man, and
will keep the "even tenor of his way."

There are various signs or forms of ill-temper that may be adverted to.

One form of ill-temper is irritability.--We perhaps know what it is to
have a tooth where the nerve is exposed. Everything that touches it
sends a thrill of pain through us. Some people get into a moral state
corresponding to that. The least thing puts them out, vexes them,
throws them into a disagreeable frame of mind. When one gets into that
state, he should feel that there is something wrong with him--something
is off the balance, some nerve is exposed. He had better look to it
and go off to the dentist.

Another form of ill-temper is readiness to find fault.--This is a sure
sign of a screw being loose somewhere. An ill-tempered person is
always making grievances, imagining himself ill-used, discontented with
his position, dissatisfied with his circumstances. He never blames
himself for anything wrong; it is always someone else. He is like a
workman who is always excusing himself by throwing the blame on his
tools; like a bad driver who is always finding fault with his horses.

Some fretful tempers wince at every touch,
You always do too little or too much;
He shakes with cold; you stir the fire and strive
To make a blaze; that's roasting him