August 20

Fifth Tuesday after Trinity

Be pitiful, be courteous. I S. PETER iii. 8.

A HOLY man of old has said that an angry elephant might be calmed by a little lamb. Our dear Lord promised that the meek shall inherit the earth, inasmuch as by their gentleness and kindness they become masters of the hearts of men. Gentle people easily mould themselves to the will of others, and in consequence other men submit more easily to their will. S. Paul describes what this spiritual character is, its expressions and manifestations; but there is one gift which sums up all the features of it, the gift of love or charity. No words, however, can make us understand this character unless we have that within us which leads us to discern it when we see it, unless our own perceptions are arrested by some peculiar forms and manifestations which naturally impress us as spiritual. Without being able to express accurately all we mean by love, we recognise it when we meet it. There are those who stand out from among the crowd which reflect merely the atmosphere of feeling and standard of society around it, with an impress upon them which bespeaks a heavenly birth. They stand apart from the struggle in which common minds are absorbed. Without spiritual pride, they think little of themselves and much of others. They have a love for all whom God has made after His own image. They exhibit the actions of Divine grace.

Holy prayers and deeds of faith, Such as to-day the Christian hath For love of Jesus done, Shall—though by him forgotten—be Strength for another victory Beneath to-morrow's sun.