September 22

Before honour is humility. — PROV. XV. 33.

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. — MATT. XXIII. 12.

THIS is one of the favorite sayings of our blessed Lord. It teaches that exaltation through humility is the law of spiritual life. The life of Christ is an exemplification of this great principle. Saint Paul writes, "He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name." Humility is the right estimate of ourselves; it is the ascendency of truth in the soul. Consequently, all spiritual life must have its beginnings in humility.

Though the believer may be almost overwhelmed on account of his littleness and unworthiness standing in the searching sight of the eternal Light, yet humility is consistent with the loftiest aspirations and the highest achievements.

The humble find forgiveness and peace through the cross, and discover surpassing sources of life and exaltation in the fatherhood of God, in the brotherhood of Jesus, in the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. Through humility the soul is emptied of self and filled with the divine fulness, and so he that humbleth himself is exalted.

Charles W. Fritts

Thy home is with the humble, Lord!

The simple are the blest.

Thy lodging is in childlike hearts,

Thou makest there thy rest.

Dear Comforter! eternal Dove!

If thou wilt stay with me,

Of lowly thoughts and simple ways

I'll build a house for thee.

FARER.