HUMILITY AND SUBMISSION.
By Jos. Clarke
To be truly submissive to God's will at all times, is one of the strongest and most important points in Christian character. When we are in places of danger or trial, and after we have done all in our power to avert evil, then to wait patiently our Heavenly Father's will, is what tests our confidence in God, and our love for him. Here is a trial also of our humility, for humility is a grace which is twin sister to submission. Humility assists greatly in getting over the rough and uneven places of life, and sweetens the most bitter cup that is pressed to our lips; and submission follows on in the path of humility with her torch illuminating the darkness, and shedding a holy light over the scene otherwise gloomy and dark. A good man once said, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” The one who could say this was thoroughly trained in the school of adversity; and he had been an apt scholar in that school. It is a good thought that one may learn lessons of patience in such trials, lessons that are of more value than all the treasures the earth can afford. It was character that ennobled Christ; while the want of character ruined Satan. It was humility and submission that Satan lacked, and his fall was the consequence of this lack. What a contrast! Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, saying, “Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done;” and on the other hand, Satan saying, I will not submit, I will rule or ruin. To what different results these two powers have labored.