Christian Disposition by Mrs. F. R. Graves

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1873

Christian Disposition.

By Mrs. F. R. Graves

Too many, even of the children of God, leave their peevish, proud, passionate temper uncorrected, its sourness unsweetened, its harshness unsoftened, or its petulance unsubdued. Even after they have been convicted of its sinfulness, and their habits have undergone a visible change, we are compelled, at times, by their passionate and unsanctified temper, to stand in doubt of them.

Such Christians, by these unrestrained exhibitions of a temper uncongenial with the Spirit of our Lord and Saviour, which breathes the very soul of gentleness and love, deprive themselves of much spiritual peace, joy, and consolation, for they drive away that dove-like Spirit, which can alone impart to all the enjoyments of the domestic and social circle.

The mischiefs of this inconsistency are manifold and deeply to be deplored. With humble and heartfelt penitence for past failures, we should resolve for the future to watch, pray, and strive, with all earnestness, to be preserved by the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit from ever again thus disgracing the Saviour’s gospel, and dishonoring his name.

If we study his character with humble supplication, our disposition may, by the renewing influence of divine grace, be cast in the very mold of his; and his spirit of meekness, and gentleness, and love, of patience and of peace, may henceforth rest on us, and regulate even the very aspect of our features and tones of our voice.

Let us then faithfully apply the rule we have laid down: Seek always to be in such a temper, internally, before God, and externally, before those with whom we live, as we would wish the Saviour, if suddenly appearing, to find us.

What horror we should feel were he unexpectedly to appear and find us with our spirits discomposed, and our features distorted by the dark broodings of an unsubdued and unsanctified temper. Are these the evidences of our being the temple of the Holy Ghost, that Spirit which descended on Jesus in the form of a dove, and whose fruit is love, peace, gentleness, meekness, long-suffering.

Oh! how much should we resolve in divine strength, to place the spirit of Christian watchfulness as a sentinel at the door of our hearts, to question every thought that seeks admittance there, and to admit none to pass the portal, however attractive they may appear, which have not clear credentials that they come direct from God.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

MRS. F. R. GRAVES.

Dorchester, Mass.