PASSAGE IILike a clock with the pendulum infull swing, the mind moves as fast as time flies. But we ought to mind ourthoughts, for if they turn to be our enemies, they will be too many for us andwill drag us down to ruin. But some people may say that they cannot help havingbad thoughts even though they sting like vipers. That may be son, but thequestion is, do they hate them or not? We cannot keep thieves from looking inat our windows, but if we open our doors to them and receive them joyfully, weare as bad as them. We cannot help the birds flying over our heads but we maykeep them from building their nest in our hair. Vain thoughts will knock at thedoor but we must not open to them.Though bad and evil thoughts risein our hearts, they must not be allowed to reign. He who turns a morsel overand over in his mouth does so because he likes the flavours and he who meditatesupon evil, loves it and determine to commit it. Think of the devil and he willappear, turn your thoughts towards evil and your hands will soon follow snailleave their slime behind them, and so do vain thoughts. An arrow may flythrough the air, and leave no trace, but an evil thought always leaves a traillike a serpent.Where there is much traffic ofbad thinking, there will be much mire and dirt. Every wave of wicked thoughtadds something to the corruption which rots upon the shore of life. It isdreadful to think that a vile imagination one indulged gets the key of ourminds and an get in again very easily, whether or not we let in, and what mayfollow no one knows. Nurse evil on the laps of thought, and it will grow into agiant.Therefore there is wisdom inwatching every day, the thoughts and imaginations of our hearts. Good thoughtsare blessed guests and should be welcomed, well fed, and much sought after, butbad thought must fly out as swiftly as they move.
