(2862)
Self-conquest—See [Victory in Defeat].
SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS
Some young Christians are timid and self-conscious, and can not help it; what is to be done then? We once knew a child who was so painfully bashful that anything that called attention to herself was a positive torture to her. So simple an act as to step across the aisle and hand a hymn-book made her heart beat wildly. Then one day she saw a report of an organization which was called “A Bridge from the Island of Supply to the Island of Want.” Her mother, who saw that her little girl’s usefulness in life would be greatly curtailed if she yielded to her foolish fear, talked to her seriously and said: “Don’t think of yourself as yourself, but think of yourself as God’s bridge. Whenever He gives you an opportunity to do anything that would help any one, or a thought that would make any one happy for you to tell it, just say, ‘Now, I’m not anybody in myself; I’m just God’s bridge, and I must let Him pass over me to this service.’ If you see the need and have the supply, no matter what it is, then you are God’s bridge, and you must be a strong bridge so that His path may not be broken.” She soon learned to forget all about herself in her own personality, and forgetting herself, forgot her fear. (Text.)—May F. McKean, Zion’s Advocate.
(2863)
SELF-CONTROL
The name of Charles E. Hughes, Governor of New York, is deservedly held in esteem for the many admirable qualities of character possest. That the child is father to the man is shown in this incident which exhibits an unusual power of self-control in one so young.
For five years, until his tenth year, he studied at home. His mother taught him the primary studies, as well as French, German, and mathematics; his father, Greek and Latin. That mastery of self which Mr. Hughes afterward manifested he also taught himself as a child. He always recited his lessons standing, and, like most children, had at first considerable difficulty in keeping still. He evidently thought the thing all out for himself; and one day, with no suggestion from his mother, who was then hearing his lessons, he announced that he had found a method of controlling his rebellious members. He selected a seam in the carpet, placed his toes firmly against it, shut his heels tightly together, and assumed a determined, soldierlike pose. From that day Mr. Hughes has had entire command of himself. (Text.)
(2864)
Self-deception—See [Facts, Ignoring].