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ALBERT WEEKS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 4, 1873

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 41, No. 8.

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ALBERT WEEKS

By Albert Weeks

Meekness.

MEEKNESS, says Webster, is mildness of temper; gentleness. Our admiration is at once aroused upon forming the acquaintance of a person possessing mildness of temper. “He was very meek” was said of a certain minister by one who had often listened to the words that fell from his lips. What more could be said? That expression, if true, proved his right to the eternal inheritance. Matt. 5:5. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
A truly meek man is a true Christian. He possesses that which is in the sight of God of great price. Under injuries there appears no resentment. He calmly weighs the reasons of his faith and hope, meekly submitting to all of God’s requirements. He is destined to a place upon this earth after the wicked are cut off. “For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Ps. 37:9–11. Are there any there besides the meek? If so, there would be no propriety in saying that it is the meek that inherit the earth. Then if we have not already mildness of temper, it is time we were making a most decided effort in that direction, lest, in the day of the Lord’s anger, we have no hiding place. Zeph. 2:3: “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”
The fact that the meek of the earth are to seek meekness shows something of the earnest effort necessary on the part of Christians if they have the approbation of God. Would we have the Spirit of the Lord gently leading us in the path of duty, meekness is the Christian grace required. Ps. 25:9: “The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way.” The especial object in the Judgment is to “save all the meek of the earth.” Ps. 76:9: The Lord was appointed to preach good tidings to the meek. Isa. 61:1. Do we want a Pattern of meekness and gentleness? Find it in the person of our Saviour. 2 Cor. 10:1.
But, says one, Is it not a duty to use something besides gentleness in dealing with a wayward brother? Paul gives us the answer in Gal. 6:1: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye, which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Yes, “considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Often your efforts to do your brother good are treated, by him, with contempt. Then, be careful. Your meekness may vanish.

ALBERT WEEKS

Dec. 12.