GOVERNMENT OF THE TEMPER.
By Pike
Whether we regard the honor of religion or the comfort of domestic life, much depends upon governing the temper. Some persons are naturally possessed of a temper kind and sweet; and are thus prepared, when they become partakers of religion, to display its most attractive charms. Others are naturally violent and passionate, or sullen and morose. It is as much the office of religion to soften and subdue harsh and unruly tempers, as it is to mortify the most flagrant vices. Little do they know of the design of religion, and little do they feel of its power, who are insensible to this. The word of God inculcates meekness and gentleness, and the mild and lovely temper of the Saviour. "Cease from anger and forsake wrath." "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath; neither give place to the Devil." "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor be put away from you with all malice." "Put on, as the elect of God, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering." "Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted." "The fruit of the Spirit is peace, gentleness, meekness." "Follow after meekness." In these passages how many weighty reasons are included for cherishing a meek and gentle temper, and for repressing harshness, sullenness, and passion. If the authority of God avails, you here have his commands. If a dread of yielding to the wicked one can prevail, he cautions us not to give place to him by indulging wrath. The Saviour enforces the necessity of gentleness and meekness, by pronouncing the meek blessed; by declaring gentleness a fruit of the Spirit; and by teaching us that if we would walk worthy of our holy calling, it must be with lowliness and meekness. Important promises are made to the meek. "The meek will he guide in judgment; the meek will he teach his way." "The meek shall increase their joy in the Lord." If anything more were wanting to stamp a value on mild and gentle tempers, it may be found in the declaration that they form an ornament to the human character highly valued by God himself. "Whose adorning let it be the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." After these testimonies to the importance of mildness and gentleness, think not that the government of your temper is of little importance. A furious, or sullen and sour professor of the gospel, instead of recommending religion, more effectually teaches men to hate it than does a drunkard or a blasphemer. And the same authority that condemns drunkenness and the drunkard, declares harsh tempers the fruits of the flesh, and forbids them to the followers of the Lamb. The honor of religion, your own happiness, and that of those around you, depend so much on the daily exercise of mild and gentle tempers, that it may be important to pursue the subject by viewing the example of the holy Jesus. During his life of trials he manifested unruffled gentleness and meekness. No passion, no resentment, no sullen anger ever appeared in him. When unjustly led to death, he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and not one angry word escaped his lips. Wrath and passion are most apt to be displayed to enemies. His enemies were many; but he displayed no resentment. When the Jews were about to stone him, he mildly said, "Many good works have I shown you from my Father, for which of those works do ye stone me?" When cruelly insulted before the tribunal of Caiaphas, he said, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me?" His friends often displayed much dullness and unbelief; yet he manifested no resentful emotions, but kindly instructed them, or mildly expostulated with them. And for them, when sleeping even during his agony, he pleaded in excuse, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Would you honor religion, and have your dwelling the abode of peace, copy the gentleness of Jesus, and watch and pray for meekness like your Lord's. By soft words turn away anger; and never, never relax in your prayers and exertions, till your temper is brought into obedience to Christ. Great occasions for displaying some of the splendid virtues of Christianity seldom occur; it is by a daily attention to its more retired graces that you must manifest its power. A martyr's firmness you may never be called to display; but the Saviour's gentleness and mildness you are called upon to manifest every day. A hundred petty, yet vexing occurrences may arise even in a day, to give you an opportunity of proving that you imitate Jesus' example, and show that you treasure in your heart, and display in your life, his admonitions respecting the loveliness and worth of a meek and quiet spirit.—Pike.