65. Meekness and Humility

Meekness and Humility

AUGUSTINE’S ANSWER.—Augustine, being asked “What is the first article in the Christian religion?” replied, “Humility.” “What the second?” “Humility.” “The third?” “Humility.”

SOON GONE.—The anger of a meek man is like fire struck out of steel,—hard to be got out, and, when got out, soon gone. Meekness not only gives great peace of mind, but often adds a luster to the countenance. We read of only three in Scripture whose faces shone remarkably,—viz., Christ, Moses and Stephen, and they were eminent for meekness.

GAINED BY YIELDING.—There is nothing lost by meekness and yielding. Abraham yields over his right of choice: Lot taketh it, and, behold! Lot is crossed in that which he chose; Abraham blessed in that which was left him.

RALEIGH’S MEEKNESS.—Walter Raleigh, a man of courage, was insulted by a hot-headed youth, who challenged him, and, on his refusal, spat upon him in public. The knight, taking out his handkerchief, made him this reply: “Young man, if I could as easily wipe your blood from my conscience as I can this injury from my face, I would this moment take away your life.” The youth was struck with a strong sense of his error.

PAUL’S GROWTH.—It has been remarked that in A. D. 59, soon after Paul was converted, he declared himself unworthy to be called an apostle. As time Tolled on, and he grew in grace, in A. D. 64, he cried out, “I am less than the least of all saints”; and just before his martyrdom, when he had reached the stature of a perfect man in Christ, in A.D. 65, his exclamation was, “I am the chief of sinners.”

HAUGHTY PREACHER.—A certain minister had a somewhat lofty manner of expressing himself. In the course of visiting, he called at the cottage of an elderly female, who invited him to “come in and sit down.” The doctor, who wanted a salutation of more flourish, said, in stately tones: “Woman, I am a servant of the Lord, come to speak with you on the concerns of your soul.” “Then ye’ll be humble like your Master,” replied the old woman.

HEAVY BRANCHES.—Those boughs and branches of trees which are most richly laden with fruit bend downwards and hang lowest. Generally those that have the most grace and the greatest gifts, and are the most useful, are the most humble, and think the least of themselves.

SAFER TO WALK.—A general riding on horseback at the head of his troops heard a soldier complain and say, “It is very easy for the general to command us forward while he rides and we walk.” Then the general dismounted and compelled the soldier to get on the horse. Soon a bullet from a sharpshooter struck the rider, and he fell dead. Then the general said, “How much safer it is to walk than to ride.”

HALL’S EXPERIENCE.—When Hall first appeared to address an audience, he discoursed for a few minutes with great propriety and eloquence; and then his ideas all seemed to desert him, and he was forced to cover his face with his hands, and sit down in unutterable confusion. A second attempt was equally unsuccessful on the following week. “If this does not humble me,” he remarked on retiring to his room, “the Devil must have me.” Afterward it was often remarked that he was as noted for his humility as for his great eloquence and power.