SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1124, 14 December 1901, Page 1 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

THE BLESSING OF QUIETNESS. Quietness, like mercy, is twice blessed; it blesseth him that is quiet and it blesseth the man’s friends and neighbours. Talk is c/ood in its way. ‘ There is a time to speak.’ but there is also ‘ a time to be silent,’ and in silence many of life’s sweetest benedictions come. An Italian proverb says, ‘He that speaks doth sow, he that holds his peace doth reap.’ We all know the other saying which rates speech as silver and silence as golden. There are in the Scriptures, too, many strong persuasives to quietness and many exhortations against noise, It was prophesied of the Christ: I He shall not cry nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.’ As we read the Gospels we see that our Lords life was a fulfilment of this ancient prophecy. He made no noise in the world. ' He did His work without excitement, without parade, without confusion. He wrought as the light works, silently,yet pervasively, and with resistless energy. Quietness is urged • too on Christ followers. ‘Study to be quiet,’ writes an apostle. Prayers are to be made for rulers, that 'they may lead a quiet and peaceable life.’ Another Apostle, writing to Christian women, speaks of their true ornament as being that of ‘ a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.’ Solomon rates quietness iii a home far above great luxuries: ‘Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith than an house full of feasting with strife.’ A prophet declares the secret of power in these words: l ln quietness and confidence shall be yom strength,’ and likewise says: ‘The work of righteousness shall be peaca, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.’ It is set down as one of the blessings of God's people that they shall dwell in ‘quiet resting-places.' Miller (F.)