p. 4 | Calmness of Spirit

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 1, 1885

Calmness of Spirit.

CALMNESS and equanimity ought to be a part of every one's religion. "I dare no more fret," said John Wesley, "than to curse and swear." One who knew him well said he never saw him low-spirited or fretful in his life. He could not endure the society of people who were of this habit. He says of them: "To have persons at my ears murmuring and fretting at everything is like tearing the flesh from my bones. By the grace of God, I am discontented at nothing. I see God sitting upon the throne and ruling all things."

If every one was of this spirit, it would wonderfully improve the world. Christians lose wayside comforts, and dishonor the Master, by their fretfulness over little troubles. Some who can bear the great sorrows of life with a martyr's faith and patience, will even show anger over the loss of a button, the mislaying of a cane, or fifteen minutes' delay of dinner, though they have stood calmly by the graves of dear ones gone, and comforted others whose hearts were breaking with grief.

Doubtless physical infirmity is the cause of much of the agitation and fretfulness which many good people exhibit; but they must guard against this. Not only must they watch against yielding to such things, but they must watch against the overwork, the stimulation, the excess, the gluttony, and the dyspepsia, which rob men of peace, and which leave them nervous, fretful, and impatient. God would have us well. It is small credit to a watchmaker to have his watches continually out of order, even though it may wholly be the fault of those who carry them; and the perpetual sickness and fretfulness of Christians does not honor him whose apostle has said, "Glorify God in your body."—Christian Progress.