1057
T HE K I NG ' S B U S I N E S S Teaching Royalty Humility.. In Bavaria, Royalty follows a custom handed down from the twelfth century. It is a ceremony performed by the Prince regent on Holy Thursday, of the washing of the feet of twelve beggars. The ceremony takes place in the palace grounds. The twelve oldest and poor est men in Bavaria are selected weeks in advance. They are brought to the palace, the feet of the twelve are hared and beginning with the oldest and neediest, the Prince, upon his knees,, bathes the extended foot in water from a silver bowl. Ho dries them with a towel of finest linen. It is the custom of the Prince to address some kindly words of advice to them as he works; then to place about their necks a slen der chain holding a small metal box, containing forty marks—about ten dol lars—sufficient to support the bene ficiary in unusual magnificence for a couple of months. Thé habit of humil ity once a year is not much, but it will take, on the part of the Bavarian roy alty and on our part, the addition of the other 364 days to fill in the example of Christ. Humility Known is Not Humility. Mrs. E. Frye says, . “The loveliest, sweetest flower that bloomed in Para dise and the first that died, has rarely blossomed on mortal soil. It is so frail, so delicate, a thing, it is gone if it but looks upon itself; and she who ventures to esteem it hers proves by that simple thought she has it not.” “If you ask what is the first step in the way of truth,” says Mr. C. Sutton, “I answer, with St. Austin, humility.” “If you ask, what is the second,” I say “Humility.” “If you ask what is the third? i answer the same—Humility.” Is it not as the steps of degree in the temple, whereby we descend to the knowledge :of ourselves, and ascend to the knowledge of God? Would we at tain mercy, humility will help us.”
Humility Saving Grace. Paradise was lost through pride— gained through humility, by Christ humbling Himself to the Cross, and every person who would be saved must acknowledge in humility that they are a sinner and need a Saviour. In one of the legends of the Talmud it speaks of Alexander as wandering about the gates of Paradise, knocking for en trance. ‘‘Who knocks?” demands the angel. “Alexander.” “Who is Alex ander?” “Alexander—The Alexander —Alexander the Great—Conqueror of the world.” “We know him not,” re plied the angel; “this is the Lord’s gate; only the righteous enter here.” ■ , v. 5. He began to wash the dis ciples’ feet. If we have the dignity of citizens of heaven, we will be humble for the meanest service.— Sel. The dis ciples had been COMMENTS FROM striving a b o u t MANY SOURCES w h o w a s t h e K. L. Brooks greatest. T h i s may have been one of the many lessons Jesus gave to teach them. Nothing is beneath us wherein we may do God service and help men. We rise by stooping.— Echoes. He washed Judas’ feet too. Would you have grace to do a thing like that?—Davis. The Lord of glory (v. 3) girds Himself with the apron of a slave and Almightiness addresses it self to menial service. That is the test of expanding consciousness. We may be sure we are growing smaller when we begin to disparage humble services. When a man despises the towel he has lost his kingly dignity and is resigning his place on the throne.— Jowett. He did seven things, all being part of the slave’s work. Here we see a miracle of humility and grace. No miracle He ever wrought in the healing of the sick, cast ing out of demons or raising the dead,
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker