you want to see a humble man?- See John the Baptist and hear him say, "The latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose." See Paul and hear him loudly proclaim, "1 am the least of the Apostles, that am not meet to be called an Apostle.' Above all, look upon Christ Jesus the Lord, who "humbled himself and became obe- dient unto death, even the death of the cross." Learn of him, O Christian, in 2. GRACIOUSNESS. Be gracious to all, especially to those who are usually looked down upon. The Duke of Wei- lington's memory remains fresh and re- vered at all times. When he was upon his death bed, a servant approached him with a cup of tea and politely asked if he desired a drink. The gracious answer of the great man was, "If you please." He drank and, without uttering another word, died soon after. Thus the last ut- terance of the great man, who had led to victory the combined armies of the allies in the war against Napoleon, was a gracious word of acceptance of offered v j c service. He died a Christian gentleman, as he had lived. He, who is the fairest of all, Jesus Christ spoke never other words than those of gracious love, even when he was forced to pronounce words of severe arraignment and of coming 6 „„ i » 3 GENTLENESS. "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you live peaceaMy with all men." "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." The German poet, Gellert, has well said, "It takes two to start a auarrel and strife; if the one keeps silence, the matter is quickly settled." It seems very hard sometimes to remain silent, and the Christian may be inclined to call out "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest." Yet, he should remember Abraham's conduct toward Lot, and David's conduct your attitude towards others. man are gracious." Christian, let your speech be always with grace."
toward Saul. "Blessed are the peace- makers; for they shall be called the
children of God."
-
^.¡ ^y
Gentleness brings always blessings, both inwardly and outwardly. It is like oil upon the troubled waters. It is like the warm breath of the spring which causes the beautiful flowers to come forth. It is like the cooling breeze in the heat of the summer. "Avenge n o t ^, yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance in A) mine; I will repay,' saith the Lord " ^ Christian, have you ever heard the story *' of the pious Quaker who found W» neighbor's cow feeding in his meadow? w P took the cow to her owner, and with neighbor, ready to start trouble, asked, "What would you do with her? un, Quaker, "I would bring her j n back to thee." Be gentle and a g a 4. MAGNANIMITY. "Recompense to no man evil for evil." Fire cannot ex- tory to him who has succeeded in recompensing evil with evil. The motto of the Scottish army, "Nemo me impune^ peaceable, Christian. O g ^ S t X ^ s a i d( «if f ever find*» t h y c o w a g a i n j n my meadow, I shall do something with her." The curious ,
i p t u r a l. It is better to suffer
l t Jg u n s c r
e v i l than to do it. A Christian must recompense good for evil: "Therefor^
judgment. Thus, "the words of a wise j ^ ^ J ^ g S S X S S S ^
»
i s s
i o n a r
y , Rev. Mr. Angent,
a g o
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went out to China to proclaim the Gos^ pel to its benighted heathen inhabit-
ants tQ w h
J
endeavoring to do good,
o m h e w a g
H l g m o t h e r was a good Christian wo- man, and she did not recompense evil
for evil.
She
f j n a
' t t a t t h e
e l might b<
tQ c h
G o s p
pre ached to those who had killed her "Love your enemies, bless them that e u r - y o u d o « h * to them^that g0 n.
f o u > a n d
persecute you."
u s e
M a y t h e Lor ble, gentle, gracious, and magnanimous to all men.
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