Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 3.pdf/74

 be continent, flee fornication, and preserve chastity in thought, word, and deed. Remember the divine command, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Watch over your feelings. Love, but do not spoil, the children committed to your charge. Be lovers of home, and roam not from place to place, for rambling frequently leads to idleness. Still, let not active duties be neglected by too close attention to home. Love one another—cherish the divine principle of friendship, but "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Govern the tongue, keep a bridle upon the lips; for the tongue has slain more than the sword. Avoid brawling. Shun disorderly, quarrelsome, and litigious companions. Strive after the temper and spirit of Christ. Who, when reviled, reviled not again. Suppress malevolent feelings, avoid cruelty, harbour not revenge or hatred in your heart, and remember that "he who hateth his brother is a murderer." Beware of dissimulation; never prevaricate, and avoid the circumvention which is the companion of the false witness. Shun avarice—it leads to injustice, and is a principal cause in the violation of the divine precept, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." At all times be watchful of your reputation, and preserve proper feelings of self-respect; but avoid vanity, and be not proud, vain-glorious, or egotistical. It is good to be cautious, circumspect and reflective: but avoid procrastination; aim at decision of character, and be painstaking and persevering. If we attend to these instructions, all our duties will be faithfully performed, and each region of the mind will be in the legitimate exercise of its respective powers.