Page:Cyclopedia of illustrations for public speakers, containing facts, incidents, stories, experiences, anecdotes, selections, etc., for illustrative purposes, with cross-references; (IA cyclopediaofillu00scotrich).pdf/546



"Maister Mairshall has it a leetle," tho every bystander saw it was quite the other way. (Text.)—, "Curiosities of Law and Lawyers."

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Pass, Let it—See.

Passengers to Heaven—See.

PASSING OF LIFE

And this is life—to-day we here abide, Perchance to-morrow we must step aside, We master not our own; no vain regret Can change the path for us which God has set.

Then let our footsteps be toward the light, With loving words and deeds make each day bright. Let charity progress to wider plan, Lend gracious ear to creed of every man.

—

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PASSION, GROWTH OF

An old man was once walking with a little boy. They came across four shrubs. The old man said to his youthful companion:

"Pull up the least one."

He obeyed with ease.

"Now the next."

He obeyed, but it did not come so easily.

"And the third."

It took all his strength to move its roots, but he succeeded.

"Now the fourth."

In vain the lad put forth all his strength. He only made the leaves tremble. He could not move the roots. They had gone strongly into the earth, and no effort could dislodge them.

Then the wise old man said to the ardent youth:

"This, my son, is just what happens with our passions. When they are young and weak one may by a little watchfulness over self and the help of a little self-denial easily tear them up, but if we let them cast their roots deep into our souls there is no human power can uproot them. For this reason, my child, watch well over the first movements of your soul and study by acts of virtue to keep your passions well in check." (Text.)

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Passport, Value of a—See.

Past and Present Compared—See.

PASTOR, THE IDEAL

Give me the pastor whose graces shall possess Of an ambassador the just address; A father's tenderness, a shepherd's care, A leader's courage, which the cross can bear; A ruler's awe, a watchman's wakeful eye, A fisher's patience, and a laborer's toil; A guide's dexterity to disembroil; A prophet's inspiration from above; A teacher's knowledge, and a Savior's love.

—

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Path, Narrow—See.

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

A Viennese lady, who had suffered for a long time from cataleptic or lethargic attacks, was finally buried in one of her trances. The sexton, who fortunately happened to be a thief in this instance, had reopened the grave and was busy removing her clothes during the ensuing night, when a resurrection of the dead took place. Stricken with terror, he was running away, when the woman called him back, requesting to be taken to her doctor.

A little girl, mentioned by Tissot, shocked at her sister having helped herself to a coveted morsel, remained stiff and motionless for an hour, a spoon in her hand, and her arm outstretched toward the dish.

A soldier, quarreling with a companion, in a fit of passion seized a bottle to throw at him; cataleptic rigidity fixt him in this attitude, motionless, unconscious, his eyes full of anger and defiance.

In another case a magistrate on the bench, insulted in the middle of his summing up, remained as if petrified in an attitude of indignation and threat at his insulter.

Again, we read of priests being cataleptized at the altar in the attitude of elevating the sacrament.—, Fortnightly Review.

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PATHS, KEEPING ONE'S OWN

Some twenty years ago a United States naval officer conceived the idea that if vessels eastbound took one ocean path and vessels westbound another, collisions would be avoided. Steamship lines eagerly fell in with