Humility in Christian preaching emphasizes a modest and selfless spirit that recognizes dependence on God rather than self-exaltation. It often uses images of bending bamboo, plain vessels, and stooping low to illustrate true greatness as service and surrender (Philippians 2:3-8). Humility involves giving God all glory, rejecting pride, and embracing weakness to be fruitful in His grace (James 4:6).
Those with the most grace and gifts are often the most humble and fruitful.
Generally speaking, those that have the most grace and the greatest gifts, and are of the most usefulness, are the most humble, and think the most meanly of themselves. So those boughs and branches of trees which are most richly laden with fruit bend downwards, and hang lowest.
— Dr. Gill
Ceasing to strive for greatness and accepting our nothingness brings true happiness.
Some time since, I took up a little work purporting to be the lives of sundry characters, as related by themselves. Two of these characters agreed in remarking that they were never happy until they ceased striving to be great men. This remark struck me, as you know the most simple remarks will strike us, when Heaven pleases. It occurred to me at once that the most of my sufferings and sorrows were occasioned by my unwillingness to be nothing, which I am, and by consequent struggles to be something. I saw if I could but cease struggling, and consent to be any thing or nothing, just as God pleases, I might be happy. You will think it strange that I mention this as a new discovery. In one sense, it is not new: I had known it for years; but I now saw it in a new light. My heart saw it, and consented to it: I am comparatively happy. My dear brother, if you can give up all desire to be great, and feel heartily willing to be nothing, you will be happy too. Dr. Payson.
309N. HUMILITY, Importance of St. Augustine, being asked "What is the first article in the Christian religion?" replied, "Humility." — "And what the second?" — "Humility." "And what the third?" — "Humility."
We should thank God, not mere instruments, for blessings like rain.
HUMILITY, Modesty of A lady applied to a celebrated philanthropist on behalf of an orphan-child. When he had hidden her draw on him for any amount, she said, "As soon as the child is old enough, I will teach him to thank you." — "Stop," said the good man, "you are mistaken. We do not thank the clouds for rain. Teach the child to look higher, and to thank Him who gives both the clouds and the rain." Bowes.
A hermit’s solitude is spent in continual self-judgment and humility.
A patriarch of Alexandria, being introduced to an old religious person in his hermitage, asked him what he found to do in that desert; to which he answered, "To judge and condemn myself perpetually: that is the employment of my solitude."
Petitions lacking humility in heart or words may be rejected by God.
"The London Times," in recording petitions presented to the House of Lords, remarked of one, that it was rejected on the ground of an omission, — after all but a simple one: the word "humble" was left out. Say how many petitions to a higher tribunal are rejected for lack, not, perhaps, of humility in the words employed, but in the heart of the individual employing them? Biblical Treasury.
Humility is widely preached but rarely practiced, yet eagerly heard by all.
Humility is a virtue all preach, none practise, and yet everybody is content to hear. The master thinks it good doctrine for the servant, the laity for the clergy, and the clergy for the laity. Selden.
True motives often shame our proudest actions when exposed to the world.
We should often have reason to be ashamed of our most brilliant actions if the world could see the motives from which they spring.
— La Rochefoucauld
True humility is deep reverence for God, not worldly pride or show.
True humility calls no man master, and seems to worldly men to be pride; but it is only its deep deference to God that enables it to set man in his own lowly place. True humility prefers mercy to sacrifice; does good, and is silent; bears suffering, and is patient; rises above schoolmen, priest, and tradition; looks to Christ, sits at his feet, and learns only from him. True humility will bid the priest, the church, the minister, and the schoolmen remain, as Abraham his servants, at the bottom of the mount, while it rises to the loftiest crag of that mount, and deals alone with God, and holds communion with him only. True humility counts holiness far more splendid than robes and phylacteries, prefers beneficence to ceremony, lives a divine life, and is not satisfied with merely talking about it, and praising it. It wears not a haircloth shirt, nor whines when it speaks, nor puts on a sour and repulsive countenance, nor fancies that God can only be approached, and religion spoken of, in sepulchral tones. But it does not seem to men to fast: it fasts before God. There is nothing of display and parade that would indicate it was of earth; every thing to prove that it is implanted within from its Father in heaven. The kingdom of God is not meat nor drink nor phylactery nor robe nor rite nor ceremony, nor outward appearance, nor peculiar tone, nor strange conduct: but it is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Do not affect humility. The moment humility is spoken of by him that has it, that moment it is gone. It is like those delicate things which dissolve the instant they are touched. You must seek out the violet: it does not, like the poppy, thrust itself upon your notice. The moment humility tells you "I am here," there is an end to it. Dr. Cumming.
Illness humbles a man, reminding him of his mortality and dependence on God.
When a man is laboring under the pain of any distemper, it is then that he recollects there is a God, and that he himself is but a man. No mortal is then the object of his envy, his admiration, or his contempt; and, having no malice to gratify, the tales of slander excite not his attention.
— Pliny
True learning is quiet and humble, not noisy or boastful.
A rabbi of little learning, and less modesty, usurped all the discourse at table; which led one present to ask another if he did not take him for a great scholar. The answer was, "For aught I know, he may be learned; but I have never heard learning make so great a noise."
True perfection in man is found in humble dependence on God, not in outward status or knowledge.
If an angel were sent to find the most perfect man, he would probably not find him composing a body of divinity; but perhaps a cripple in a poorhouse, whom the parish wish dead, but humbled before God, with far lower thoughts of himself than others think of him.
True ministry values Christ's kingdom over personal popularity or honor.
Dr. Durham of the Scottish Church, and a popular young minister, were walking together to their several churches, situated near each other, into one of which multitudes crowded, while but few entered the other. "Brother," said the doctor to his young friend, "you will have a crowded church to-day." The other replied, "They are to blame who leave you, and come to me."—"Not so," replied the doctor; "for a minister can receive no such honor and success in his ministry, except it be given him from Heaven. I rejoice that Christ is preached, and that his kingdom is gaining ground, though my estimation in people's hearts should decrease; for I am content to be any thing, so that Christ may be all in all."
Like a sea-anemone, modesty protects and preserves by withdrawing from offense.
Desirous of plucking one of the elegant sea-anemones, you extend your hand; but, at the slightest touch, its beautiful coronet begins to curl, and incurve in the form of a cup. If further annoyed, the rim of this cup contracts more and more, until the animated blossom, now transformed into a shrivelled, shapeless mass, and receding all the time from the rude assault, retires under the cover of its rocky fortress, or clings with such tenacity to the stone to which it is attached, that you will sooner tear it to pieces than make it forego its grasp. Hartwig.
True modesty involves humility about one's own achievements despite others' praise.
MODESTY, Example of Sir Joshua Reynolds, like many other distinguished persons, was never satisfied with his own efforts, however well they might satisfy others. When the ingenious M. Mosnier, a French painter, was one day praising to him the excellence of one of his pictures, he replied, "Ah! Monsieur, je ne fais que des ébauches, des ébauches." (Alas, sir! I can only make sketches, sketches.)
— Percy
Modesty enhances virtues and makes talents more appealing without arrogance.
MODESTY, Importance of A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of. It heightens all the virtues which it accompanies. Like the shades in paintings, it raises and rounds every figure, and makes the colors more beautiful, though not so glaring as they would be without.
— Addison
Washington's modesty was recognized as greater than his valor by his peers.
Washington, having won the gratitude of his country by his conduct in the French and Indian war, was presented with a vote of thanks by the House of Burgesses, in an earnest speech by Speaker Robinson. Washington rose to reply, blushed, stammered, but could not speak a word. Mr. Robinson said, "Sit down, Mr. Washington: your modesty is equal to your valor; and that surpasses the power of any language that I possess."
Humility and thoughtful restraint gain respect more than excessive talkativeness.
Long ago there flourished in Persia an academy called that of Silence, whose tenets inculcated a vast amount of thought, a very little writing, and no talking at all. The number of academicians was strictly limited to a hundred. One of the members died; and, at that very time, there was living at the other extremity of Persia a most learned man, Zeeb by name. No sooner had he heard of the vacancy in the Academy of Silence, than, seized with a laudable desire of filling it, he posted up as fast as horses could carry him. Meanwhile, a court favorite, renowned for his talking propensities, had been installed in the vacant place. The consternation of the fellows may, therefore, be imagined, when the learned Zeeb sent in his name as craving admittance. The president determined to give him an audience in full council, to show their regret. Zeeb, therefore, was ushered in; and the president, taking a glass, filled it as full of water as it could possibly hold, so that another drop would cause it to overflow. Zeeb understood the allegory; but, seeing a rose-leaf lying on the floor, he picked it up, and placed it gently on the water, which did not run over. The fellows were so charmed at this, that they instantly admitted him a member, regardless of all rules to the contrary. The book was brought to him to sign his name in; which he did, adding the numerals 100, and then prefixing a nought, thus, — 0100; showing that the number and worth of the academy were not increased by his admittance. However, the president, charmed with so much modesty in so learned a man, scratched out the nought, and added a one in its place, — 1100; thus implying that the academical worth was increased tenfold by his presence.
Remembering mortality humbles pride and comforts in trials by focusing on life's brevity.
MORTALITY, Reminder of One of Gotthold's friends had a little scent-box, made in the shape of a death's-head, with a screw at the skull for opening and taking it asunder. It then showed various cells filled with fragrant balm. Being asked why he had made the box in this particular shape, he replied, "In order to have something continually reminding me of my mortality." On this, Gotthold rejoined, "You have done well if such was indeed your object, and not, rather, to possess a curiosity for people to gaze and wonder at. The thought of the mortality to which, like all your race, you are subjected, may be infinitely more profitable to you than all kinds of balm. If seized with the delirium of pride, reflect that death will one day reduce you to dust and ashes, and wither your pomp like a flower. If overcome by angry passion, take to heart that death stands behind you with his axe, and only waits the signal from God to reduce you in an instant to the impotency of a dead gnat. If your heart ache, and your head be distracted with cares, recollect that all your trouble and anxiety will one day come to a blessed end."
Christian leaders showed humility by adapting practices to maintain unity and understanding.
St. Augustine, preaching to the Roman colonies in Africa, spake broken, barbarous Latin, to the end they might understand him. "When I come to Rome," saith St. Ambrose to Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, "I fast on the Saturday: when I am at Milan, I fast not." Calvin was cast out of Geneva for refusing to administer the Lord's Supper with wafer-cakes or unleavened bread; but, being afterwards restored, he thought best to make no more words, but to yield; though he let them know that he had rather it were otherwise. Spencer.
True humility transforms pride into godly piety and godly character.
It is related, that, when St. Bernard was abbot of Clairvaux, his sister Humbeline, who had married a nobleman, came to pay him a visit, borne in a litter, and attended by a numerous retinue of servants. He, scandalized by so much pride and pomp, refused to see her. She then desired to see another brother, who was also in the convent; who in like manner rejected her. She burst into tears, and, entreating on her knees that her saintly brother would instruct her what she ought to do, he condescended to appear at the gate, desired her to go home, and imitate her mother. Humbeline afterwards became a model of humility and piety.
True wisdom comes from recognizing limits and seeking greater knowledge beyond assumed boundaries.
Spain once held both sides of the Mediterranean at the Straits of Gibraltar. So highly did she value her possessions, that she stamped on her coin the two Pillars of Hercules (as the promontories of rock were called); and on a scroll thrown over these were the words, ne plus ultra,—"no more beyond." But one day a bold spirit sailed far beyond these pillars, and found a new world of beauty. Then Spain, wisely convinced of ignorance, struck the word ne from the coin, and left plus ultra,—"more beyond." How many a man, whose conceit is great, thinks he has reached the limits of knowledge, when further investigation would open to him a continent of truth before unknown! Bp. Simpson.
Silence can amend past sins of speaking too much and bring spiritual wisdom.
It was the wisdom of Sulpitius Severus, who being deceived by the Pelagians, and acknowledging the fault of his loquacity, was careful of silence afterwards unto his death, and good reason too, says St. Jerome, that the sin which he had committed by overspeaking might be amended by holding his peace ever after.
— Spencer
Talking excessively about oneself shows selfishness and vanity.
They commit an impropriety who talk much of subjects pertaining to their profession or business or amusements. It savors of selfishness, if not of vanity, to be ever harping upon our daily employments, and to allow such themes to swallow up those that are of general interest. A magistrate once gave Dr. Johnson a long, tedious account of the exercise of his criminal jurisdiction, the result of which was his having sentenced four convicts to transportation. The doctor, in an agony of impatience to get rid of such a companion, exclaimed, "I heartily wish, sir, I were a fifth." G. W. Hervey.
Dean Swift exposes vanity and pride behind a lady's complaints about her costly dinner.
A lady invited Dean Swift to a most sumptuous dinner. She said, "Dear Dean, this fish is not as good as I could wish, though I sent for it half across the kingdom, and it cost me so much," naming an incredible price. "And this thing is not such as I ought to have for such a guest, though it came from such a place, and cost such a sum." Thus she went on, decrying and underrating every article of her expensive and ostentatious dinner, and teazing her distinguished guest with apologies, only to find a chance to display her vanity in bringing her trouble and expense into view, until she exhausted his patience. He is reported to have risen in a passion, and to have said, "True, madam, it is a miserable dinner; and I will not eat it, but go home and dine upon sixpence worth of herring."
King George III humbly removed his crown before partaking in the Lord's Supper.
At the coronation of his Majesty George III, after the anointing was over in the Abbey, and the crown put upon his head with great shouting, the two archbishops came to hand him down from the throne to receive the sacrament. His majesty told them he would not go to the Lord's Supper, and partake of that ordinance, with the crown upon his head: for he looked upon himself, when appearing before the King of kings, in no other character than in that of a humble Christian. The bishops replied, that although there was no precedent for this, it should be complied with. Immediately he put off his crown, and laid it aside: he then desired that the same should be done with respect to the queen. It was answered, that her crown was pinned on her head, that it could not be easily taken off; to which the king replied, "Well, let it be reckoned a part of her dress, and in no other light." "When I saw and heard this," says the narrator, "it warmed my heart towards him; and I could not help thinking, that there would be something good found about him towards the Lord God of Israel.
True wisdom includes humbly admitting errors and rejoicing in correction.
Dr. JOHNSON'S CONFESSION.—Ignorant people are generally positive and assuming; and, even when they find themselves in an error, are too proud to acknowledge it; but those who are truly wise, have learned that they are also fallible; they rejoice in an opportunity of having an error corrected, and they can afford to acknowledge it, without risking all their reputation, or any of it, with persons of real judgment.
The celebrated Dr. Johnson, one of the most learned men that England ever produced, one night, rather late, had a dispute in conversation with a Mr. Morgan. Johnson had the wrong side, but did not give up; in short, both kept the field. Next morning, when they met in the breakfast room, Dr. Johnson, with great candor, accosted Mr. Morgan thus: "Sir, I have been thinking on our dispute last night; you were in the right."
King Henry humbly returned a poor man's salute, showing true politeness and humility.
Henry IV, of France, was standing one day with some of his courtiers, at the entrance of a village, and a poor man passing by, bowed down to the very ground; and the king, with great condescension, returned his salutation just in the same manner; at which one of his attendants ventured to express his surprise, when the monarch finely replied to him,— "Would you have your king exceeded in politeness by one of the lowest of his subjects?"
Dr. Wall chose humility and patience over retaliation when wronged by others.
Dr. Wall, sometime Bishop of Norwich, who was as humble and courteous as he was learned and devout, used to say, "I would suffer a thousand wrongs rather than do one; I would suffer a hundred rather than return one; and endure many rather than complain of one, or obtain my right by contending: for I have always observed, that contending with one's superiors is foolish; with one's equals, is dubious; and with one's inferiors, is mean-spirited and sordid. Suits at law may be sometimes necessary, but he had need be Calvin the present of a hundred pistoles to buy him books and to express his respect for him. But as they were coming out of the church, Calvin stopped him a little, and having explained to the persons who accompanied them how he had been presented by the stranger with a purse of gold, he said he would give it to the poor, and so deposited it in the poor-box that was kept there! Eckius was now convinced that all efforts to secure the apostasy of Calvin would be in vain, and made no further attempt.
# FLATTERY.
True honor is not in titles but in humble service and genuine character.
When the University of St. Andrew's, Scotland, sold her honors, a certain minister, who deemed that his ministration would be more acceptable, if he possessed what the Germans call the doctor-hat, put £15 in his purse and went to St. Andrew's to "purchase for himself a good degree." His man-servant accompanied him, and was present when his master was formally admitted to the long-desired honor. On his return "the doctor" sent for his servant, and addressed him as follows: "Noo Saunders, ye'll aye be sure to ca' me the doctor; and gin ony body spiers at you about me, ye'll be aye sure to say the doctor's in his study, or the doctor's engaged, or the doctor will see you in a crack." "That a' depends," was the reply, "whether ye ca' me the doctor, too!" (The Rev. Dr. started.) "Ay, it's just so," continued the other; "for when I foono that it cost so little, I e'en got a diploma myself, sa ye'll be just good enough to say, 'doctor, put on some coals,' or, 'doctor, bring the whiskey and hot water,' and gin ony body spiers at ye about me, ye'll be aye sure to say, 'the doctor's in the stable,' or, 'the doctor's in the pantry,' or, 'the doctor's digging potatoes,' as the case may be." # 200. HOPE,
Edward the Confessor chose mercy over bloodshed to reclaim his kingdom.
When Edward the Confessor had entered England from Normandy to recover the kingdom, and was ready to give the Danes battle, one of his captains assured him of victory, adding, "We will not leave one Dane alive." To which Edward replied, "God forbid that the kingdom should be recovered for me, who am but one man, by the death of thousands. No: I will rather live a private life, unstained by the blood of my fellow-men, than be a king by such a sacrifice." Upon which he broke up his camp, and again retired to Normandy, until he was restored to his throne without blood.
Cotton Mather humbly admitted error after re-examining opposing writings in old age.
Dr. Cotton Mather had maintained, with much earnestness, a particular opinion in the prime of life. In advanced age, he re-examined the writings of his opponent which he had replied to, and was convinced of his error. This fact he was careful to acknowledge.
A nobleman humbly joined poor Christians in prayer, valuing fellowship over rank.
A nobleman was in the habit of attending a prayer meeting in the country village where he lived, and where a few poor people were accustomed to assemble to seek the presence of the Divine Majesty. It was at first customary for these humble persons to make way for him if he came in a little after the appointed time; but he expressed his unwillingness to receive this mark of respect, saying he should be satisfied to occupy the lowest station. In other places he thought he had a right to claim the distinctions of his rank; but there he felt himself in the same situation as themselves. Such conduct displayed the genuine feelings of piety, which rising superior to the artificial distinctions of society, rejoices in the fellowship of the body of Christians.
Mr. Charles showed remarkable humility by never mentioning himself during revival testimony.
"On a visit to London," says the Rev. J. Campbell, in a letter to a minister, "I was expressing a great desire to see the late Mr. Charles of Bala, with whom I had corresponded or three years concerning a remarkable revival which had taken place under his ministry. Mr. C. happening to be in town at the same time, your father kindly took me to Lady Ann Erskine's, where he resided. We spent there two happy hours. Your father requested Mr. C. to favor us with a brief outline of the circumstances which led to the remarkable revival at Bala, and its surrounding region, its progress, &c. He did so for upwards of an hour. On our leaving him, your father said, 'Did you not observe the wonderful humility of Mr. C. in the narrative he gave? Never having once mentioned himself, though he was the chief actor and instrument in the whole matter.'"
True elevation in life comes from humility and living without offense toward God and man.
In the evening of the day that Sir Eardley Wilmot kissed the hand of his majesty, on being appointed chief justice, one of his sons, a youth of seventeen, attended him to his bed-side. "Now," said he, "my son, I will tell you a secret worth your knowing and remembering. The elevation I have met with in life, particularly this last instance of it, has not been owing to any superior merit or abilities, but to my humility; to my not having set up myself above others, and to a uniform endeavor to pass through life void of offence towards God and man."
A warrior humbly acknowledges being conquered by Jesus Christ, not boasting of past deeds.
In the year 1742, a veteran warrior of the Lenape nation and Monsey tribe renowned among his friends for his bravery, and dreaded by his enemies, joined the Christian Indians at Bethlehem, Pa. He was now at an advanced age, full of scars, and all over tattooed with the scenes of the actions in which he had been engaged. All who heard his history thought that it could never be surpassed. This man was brought under the influence of religion; and when he was afterwards questioned respecting his warlike feats, he modestly replied, "that being now taken captive by Jesus Christ, it did not become him to relate the deeds done while in the service of the evil spirit: but that he was willing to give an account of the manner in which he had been conquered."
Meekness and humility can soften suspicion and open hearts to the gospel.
The Rev. Mr. R—, in a sermon before a numerous audience, composed in part of preachers, related the following anecdote, illustrative of the influence of humility in subduing a suspicious and repugnant mind.
A young preacher, said he, on going to a distant field of labor, had occasion to stop over night with a farmer, a member of a church, an honest man, but, unhappily, of a peevish, suspicious temper, that had been exasperated by several instances of imposture, in which vagrant men had availed themselves of his hospitality under the character of Christian ministers. The young preacher had just commenced his ministerial career, his appearance was not prepossessing, and he was depressed with anxiety respecting his untried field of labor. It was late in the evening when he reached the gate of the farmyard. The farmer came forth to meet him with chilling coldness. He made surly inquiries about his name, whence he came, whither he was going, etc., expressing, meanwhile, by his looks his suspicions; and giving very direct intimations about false pretensions, etc. Weary and depressed as was the stranger, he felt a momentary indignation, but, repressing it, he resolved to copy the meekness of his Master, and, by his example, if not otherwise, attempt to cure the perversity of his rustic host. He was pointed to the stable, with permission to feed his horse, and come into the house. As he approached the house he was directed to the kitchen. Some food was spread on a rude table for him. The hired men in the kitchen whispered to each other their surprise that he was not invited into the parlor. Though of humble origin himself, he felt keenly the indignity of his treatment: the pride of his heart for a moment revolted, and he arose to resume his journey, with the prospect of a rainy night: but he suddenly checked his feelings, and, looking to God, resolved to await patiently the result of this strange scene.
It was not long before all were called into another room for family prayers. The preacher followed the hired laborers, and took his seat in a corner. The farmer read a chapter in the Bible. At the end of it he was evidently embarrassed by an inward struggle, not knowing what to do; but, finally, turning to the preacher, he abruptly asked him to pray.
They knelt down, and the young man, oppressed with feelings which prayer could best relieve, poured out his soul and tears before God. A divine influence came down on all present, they sobbed around him. The meek pathos of his tones, the spirituality of his sentiments, the evangelical views involved in the prayer, and its prevailing earnestness, struck all present. The morose farmer, subdued and melted, approached him at the conclusion of the prayer, and, in the presence of the family, with flowing tears, begged his pardon. "I should not have been so suspicious," said he, "but I have "seen all day under a strong temptation of the adversary—my mind has been irritable—my conduct towards you tonight, is a mystery to myself; I cannot account for it, even by the state of my mind during the day. I have not been myself, or I would not have so treated you. Forgive me, sir. How have you been able to endure it?" "My Lord," replied the youthful preacher, "has said, 'Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.' It is my ambition to do so. Try, my brother, to learn the same lesson." It was the keenest rebuke that could be given to the farmer; he felt its pertinency, made the humblest acknowledgments, and begged his maltreated guest to tarry at the house several days, and preach to the family and neighbors. His engagements would not allow him to remain so long; but, such was the importunity of his host, that he consented to preach next day. That night he reposed in the best chamber in the house, and his rest was sweetened by the thought that he had conquered a perverse mind by an example of meekness. The next day he preached with deep effect, and went on his journey with the prayers and blessings of the farmer.
"And what do you suppose," said the Rev. Mr. R—, "was the result? The old farmer was a better man ever after: the sermon had a salutary influence on the whole neighborhood, several were awakened, and among them, three of the farmer's children; two of them have since gone safe to heaven. Ah! it is the temper of Christ that fits us for usefulness!"
A missionary gladly accepts any role to serve in God's work, valuing service above status.
The Rev. Dr. Morrison, of China, after having for some years labored at Canton, earnestly requested the Directors of the London Missionary Society to send him out a colleague; their attention was directed to Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Milne. A circumstance occurred on his first introduction to the friends of that Society, which at once showed his devotedness to the Savior's cause, and the humble opinion he entertained of himself. On his appearance before the committee at Aberdeen, he seemed so rustic and unpromising, that a worthy member took Dr. Philip aside, and expressed his doubts whether he had the necessary qualifications for a missionary; but added, that he would have no objection to unite in recommending him as a servant to a mission, provided he would be willing to engage in that capacity. "At the suggestion of my worthy friend," says Dr. Philip, "I desired to speak with him alone. Having stated to him the objection which had been made, and asked him if he would consent to the proposal, he replied, without hesitation, and with the most significant and animated expression of countenance, 'Yes, sir, most certainly; I am willing to be any thing, so that I am in the work. To be 'a hewer of wood and a drawer of water' is too great an honor for me when the Lord's house is building.'"
True religion is marked by humility, not by loud or boastful zeal.
Dr. Lathrop was a man of generous piety, but much opposed to the noisy zeal that seeketh the praise of men. A young divine who was much given to enthusiastic cant, one day said to him—"Do you suppose you have any real religion?" "None to speak of," was the excellent reply.
Dr. Carey humbly viewed himself as unworthy and sought God's mercy in illness and death.
When Dr. Carey, the Missionary, was suffering from a dangerous illness, the inquiry was made, "If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you select as the text of your funeral sermon?" He replied, "Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature as I, is unworthy to have any thing said about him; but if a funeral sermon should be preached let it be from the 51st Psalm, and first verse—'Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.'"
The following extract from the will of this eminent Missionary, is equally illustrative of the general humility of his character. "I direct that my funeral be as plain as possible, and that the following inscription and nothing more be cut out on my grave-stone, 'z.:
WILLIAM CAREY, BORN AUGUST 17TH, 17:
"A wretched, poor and helpless worm, On thy kind arms I fall" # 205. HYF
God uses the lowly to ensure all glory goes to Him, not human wisdom.
"I am by birth," said a converted Hindoo, when addressing a number of his countrymen, "of an insignificant and contemptible caste; so low, that if a Brahmin should chance to touch me, he must go and bathe in the Ganges for the purpose of purification; and yet God has been pleased to call me, not merely to the knowledge of the Gospel, but to the high office of teaching it to others. My friends, do you know the reason of God's conduct? It is this: if God had selected one of you learned Brahmins, and made you the preacher, when you were successful in making converts, by-standers would have said it was the amazing learning of the Brahmin, and his great weight of character, that were the cause; but now, when any one is convinced by my instrumentality, no one thinks of ascribing any of the praise to me; and God, as is his due, has all the glory."
True nobility includes humble service and personal involvement in work.
When Lysander, the Lacedæmonian general, brought magnificent presents to Cyrus, the younger son of Darius, who piqued himself more on his integrity and politeness than on his rank and birth, the prince conducted his illustrious guest through his gardens, and pointed out to him their varied beauties. Lysander, struck with so fine a prospect, praised the manner in which the grounds were laid out, the neatness of the walks, the abundance of fruits planted with an art which knew how to combine the useful with the agreeable; the beauty of the parterres, and the glowing variety of flowers exhaling odors universally throughout the delightful scene. "Every thing charms and transports me in this place," said Lysander to Cyrus; "but what strikes me most is the exquisite taste and elegant industry of the person who drew the plan of these gardens, and gave it the fine order, wonderful disposition, and happiness of arrangement which I cannot sufficiently admire." Cyrus replied, "It was I that drew the plan and entirely marked it out; and many of the trees which you see were planted by my own hands." "What!" exclaimed Lysander, with surprise, and viewing Cyrus from head to foot, "is it possible that, with those purple robes and splendid vestments, those strings of jewels and bracelets of gold, those buskins so richly embroidered; is it possible that you could play the gardener, and employ your royal hands in planting trees?" "Does that surprise you?" said Cyrus; "I assure you that, when my health permits, I never sit down to my table without having fatigued myself, either in military exercise, rural labor, or some other toilteered with his oxen and rendered the necessary assistance. The churl felt ashamed of himself. His evil was overcome by his neighbor's good, and he never afterwards refused him a favor.
## DIGNITY OF.
some employment, to which I apply myself with pleasure." Lysander, still more amazed, pressed Cyrus by the hand, and said, "You are truly happy, and deserve your high fortune, since you unite it with virtue."
A humble Christian values pious poor as equals, reflecting true brotherly love and humility.
A truly pious man, of rank and influence in society, was in the habit of entertaining and admitting to a degree of intimacy, persons of very humble circumstances of life, if they only gave evidence of true religion. A friend of his, who was accustomed to measure every thing according to the standard of this world, pleasantly rallied him on the subject of his associates; intimating his surprise that he should admit to his hospitality and friendship persons of obscure origin, and of little estimation among men. He replied in a tone of unaffected humility, that as he could scarcely hope to enjoy so elevated a rank as they in a future world, he knew not why he should despise them in the present. The reproof came home to the feelings of the proud man, and he was silent; conscience whispering, meanwhile, how dim were his prospects of rising, in the future world, to an equality with the pious poor, if his Behold then, this victim to his youthful lusts, mangled, cruelly mangled by his own violence; and weltering, with awful publicity, in the stream of blood which his suicidal hands have spilt! Behold—not that you may gratify an unfeeling curiosity, nor yet be convulsed with horror and disgust—but that you may learn the solemn truth which every part of this catastrophe proclaims, “The wages of sin is death!”
# BROTHERLY.
Christian friend was in danger of falling below them.
Early failures humbled a preacher who later became a powerful and admired speaker.
Robert Hall, desiring a license to commence preaching, he was appointed to deliver an address in the vestry of Broadmead Chapel from 1 Tim. 4: 10: "Therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men: especially of those that believe." After proceeding for a short time, much to the gratification of his auditory, he suddenly paused, and covering his face with his hands, exclaimed, "Oh! I have lost my ideas," and sat down, his hands still hiding his face.
The failure, however, painful as it was to his tutors, and humiliating to himself, was such as rather augmented than diminished their persuasion of what he could accomplish, if once he acquired self-possession. He was therefore appointed to speak again on the same subject, at the same place, the ensuing week.
This second attempt was accompanied by a second failure, still more painful to witness, and still more grievous to bear. He hastened from the vestry, and on retiring to his room, exclaimed, "If this does not humble me, the devil must have me!" Such were the early efforts of him whose humility afterwards became as conspicuous as his talents; and who, for nearly half a century, excited universal attention and admiration by the splendor of his pulpit eloquence.
# 261. Faults of Ministers.
Prideful boasting is silenced by simple, humble questions revealing ignorance.
At a dinner party one of the company challenged any person to start a question to which he could not give a satisfactory answer. All were silent, till a worthy clergyman said, “This plate furnishes me with a question—Here is a fish that has always lived in salt water; pray tell me why it should come out a fresh fish, and not a salt one?” The boaster was silenced: nor was there one in the room who envied him his feelings.
Wise servants can gently correct proud masters with clever humility.
A nobleman seeing a large stone lying near his gate, ordered his servant, with an oath, to send it to hell. "If," said the servant, "I were to throw it to Heaven, it would be more completely out of your lordship's way."
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