Humility

    Christian humility will show itself in the looks, and in the language: " Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Disdainful, scornful language, is not the language of humility.

    It teaches us not to strive for priority, or precedency of place. He that is ready to wash his brother's feet will not strive to go before him, or to sit above him. Those are but small matters, yet they evidence pride.

    It teaches us to yield in opinion to the judgment of our brother; yet not so as to let go any truth of Christ out of humility. No; we must " buy the truth," and not " sell it." Paul would not give place to "false brethren." No; "not for an hour," when the truth of Christ was concerned. Humility teaches us neither to judge, nor despise one another, in doubtful matters; see Rom. xiv.

    It teaches us to "bear one another's burdens." When thy brother is sinking under a temptation of doubts and fears, help him. We should please our brother "for his good," rather than ourselves. We should rather deny ourselves the use of lawful liberty than offend a "weak brother:" "Though," said Paul, "I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more."

    It teaches us to be thankful for the least kindnesses, and patient under the greatest unkindnesses. It is pride that makes people so ungrateful. They look upon kindnesses as debts, and so are not thankful; and upon unkindnesses as wrongs, and then are impatient.

    In case of quarrels, a humble man will rather recede from his right than "strive." You see an instance, Gen. xiii., in Abraham and Lot. Abraham, the superior, was willing to yield.

    Humility teaches us as to our company: not to disdain any that are good, though they are poor and below us. David, a king, was a companion of all that feared God, Psa. cxix. 63. It is against this law of humility that in some families the servants are not to come into the room at family worship; whereas they are upon equal terms with God.

    How amiable and excellent is this duty! It is marvellously well-pleasing to God. He loves to see people in this frame. "The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit—is in the sight of God of great 'price" 1 Pet. iii. 4. The reason is, because it is in conformity to the image of his "dear Son." The more like we are to Christ, the more lovely we are in the eyes of God.

    It is marvellously winning to others. It brings a good report on the religion we profess. Though every one hath remainders of pride in himself, yet there is no one but hates it in others. By this frame Paul "gained" men: "Unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law." This meek, condescending frame, convinces people that we are actuated by other principles than the world is. The world's principles are—stand upon your terms. The world is for a high and princely spirit. A gracious soul can be of a princely spirit in the cause of God; but in his own cause—lowly, humble, and condescending.

    It works rest, comfort, peace, and quietness to ourselves. So that for our own sakes we should be humble. There is no such way to rest as the humble way. Be "meek and lowly," that ye may " find rest."

    Prize a humble spirit, then, as amiable in itself. Let it be so to you. It is a jewel; learn to value it. Fall in love with it.

    Pray for it. Beg of God, with all earnestness, to lay low the pride of your spirit. He alone can do it.

    Practise it. Think meanly of yourselves, and highly of your brother. Be clothed all over with it; inside and outside. The more humble, the more like Christ. And the more like Christ, the more beloved of God.