HUMILITY.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2645, 30 June 1877, Page 3

HUMILITY.

Humility is Che footstool without which man can hardly get up to the bed of honor. One thing may assuredly persuade us of the excellence of humilityit is ever found to dwell most with men that are most gallant; it is a flower that prospers not in lean and barren soils, but in a ground that is rich it flourishes and is beautiful. Give a man that is humble out of judgment, and I can find him full of all parfs. Charles V. was as brave in holding the candle to his departing visitants as when he was trooped about with his victorious officers. The legislative monarch Moses, that was the first and greatest divine, statesman, historian, philosopher, and poet, who, as a valiant general, Jed Israel out of Egypt, was renowned with, miracles, that could roll up the waves to pass his men and tumble them down again upon Jiis enemies, was a type of Christ, styled a friend of God, and beloved both of God and men. Yet was he meek above all that were upon the #ice of the earth j and lest our proud dust should think it a disparagement to be humble, we are commanded of the Saviour to learn it of Him, who tells us the benefit it will be—-rest for our souls. We are sent to the pismire for industry, to the lion for valor, to the dove for innocence, to the serpent for wisdom, but for humility unto God Himself, as, 8n attribute more peculiar to His excellence; and certainly, if we shall bub contemplate Him, we shall find Him able for all either that we can or cannot conceive ; yet by His upholding sublevaminous providence, according to His mere will, He orders, guides, and governs all. Woman ever lost esteem with wise men by stooping to an honest lowliness when there was occasion. I have known a great Duke to fetch in wood to his. inferior's fire, and a General of nations^ descending to a footman's office, in lifting tip the boot of a coach, yet never thought it an eclipse to either of their dignities. The text does give it to the publican's dejectedness, rather than to the pharisea's boasting. That ship wants ballast that floats upon the top of the water?, and he may well be suspected to be defective within ,that would put on respect to himself by his undue assuming it. What is that man worse that lets his inferior go before him ? The folly isjwith him that takes it- when not due, but the prudence rests with him that sereneness of his own worth does not value it. In shows of state the meanest marches first. The sun chides not the,morning star, though it presumes to usher day before him. -My place is only where I am present, but that wherein I am not, is not mine- -While the proud man bustles in the storing and begets himself enemies, the humble peaceably passes in the storm unerivied. The full sail oversets the vessel, which drawn in may make the voyage prosperous. Humility . prevents disturbance, it rocks debate asleep, and keeps men in continued peace. Men rest not while they ride in state, or hurry it in,a. furious charge^ but when -they humble themselves to the earth, on a couch, refreshing sleep does, then becalm their toils and cares. When the two goats on a narrow bridge met over a deep stream, was not he the wiser that lay down for the-other to pass over him, than he that would hazard both their lives by contending ? He preserved himself from danger, and made the other become debtor to him for his safety. He is charitable that out of Christian ends can be content to part with- his due —but he that would take it from. me. wrongs not me, so much as he does himself.—Civil Service Review.