"MEEK AND LOWLY IN HEART."
By E. A. Davies
CHRIST said, "Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart." We talk about meekness and pray about it, but are we not froward and self-willed? Our meekness is visible only in calm weather; but let a slight ripple stir the waters, and where is our meekness? Like the bubble, it is too hollow to endure. How often in the every-day cares of life are our passions stirred, and if not really indignant at some one, or something that has transpired, do we not fail to imitate the meek and lowly spirit of Christ? Now if we had really learned of Christ, would not meekness characterize us in the discharge of domestic duties, enabling us to bear one with another? When the disciples with Jesus were in the garden, and unseasonably slept, did he not excuse them by apologizing for them? Said he, The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. Can we not find excuse for our brethren and sisters? Perhaps we think we do; but if we really did, would we speak of them to this brother or that sister, and what is still worse, talk of them to those that are without? But, says one, are we not to show the erring their wrongs? Yes, if we have learned of Christ till we are meek and lowly enough to adopt the scripture rule. Matt. xviii, 15. But perhaps we say to ourselves, the fault is so small it is not really worth while to have a regular deal about it. Perhaps it is not. But have we any right to mention it to any one else? It says, tell him his fault between thee and him alone. And if we talk with the erring, and tell him his fault, have we any right to tell it to others? It reads, If he will not hear thee take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may159be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church. Does not this show the meekness and wisdom of Christ? If we follow this rule how few would need be reported to the church! How few would know more about the faults of others, than about their own! It is one thing to talk meekness and another thing to possess it. It was a dreadful thing for Peter to deny the Lord; but we are not informed that the Lord frowned on him, neither is it anywhere written that he even chided him. But he turned and looked on him. It touched his heart. No doubt that look was a look of mingled pity and love. But how easily are our feelings injured; and if we do not show our resentment in words, do we not in our sour and sullen looks? O, for the meekness of Christ, whose every look was love! And when we meet with opposers of present truth, do we not often injure the cause of Christ by manifesting a hasty, overbearing temper? Where is our meekness? Can we treat the subject in that way that shows them that we really wish to do them good? O, for the spirit of Christ to sweeten our tempers and fill us with forbearance and love! How meek he was towards his enemies! Not an impatient word in return for all the indignation that they heaped upon him. When he was reviled he reviled not again. Now if we had learned of him, would we not follow the amiable example that he has set for us? He has bid us learn of him, and tells us why we should do so: "For I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls." Is not rest greatly to be desired? But what is the reason that we do not learn? Now if we send a child to school one day, would it amount to anything? or even one day in a week? If we would come up to the perfect stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, we must learn in the school of Christ every day and every hour. And we shall have to apply ourselves closely and with untiring energy of body and mind; and we shall surely succeed, for he would not bid us learn of him if we could not. We must learn of him, if we would possess meekness and righteousness. Ps. cxix, 4. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people; he will beautify the meek with salvation. Ps. xxv, 9. The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his ways. The child that daily follows the requirements of his teacher, soon acquires many of his qualifications and ways. And would it not be so with us, if we lose no time, but daily learn of Christ? Should we not very soon be moulded and fashioned like our teacher—in a word be Christ-like, our thoughts elevated, our words gentle and kind, our conversation holy? O, let us daily increase our diligence to learn in the school of Christ, that we may be made like him, and see him as he is. O transporting thought! to see Jesus! O let us be willing to learn of him, and he will teach us to cast all our care on him and he will give us rest. There is much that he can teach those that are meek enough to be taught of him. He is a pattern of meekness. All his sufferings he meekly bore. He bore them that we might find rest from the galling yoke of sin. O precious Saviour! we would learn of thee.