Morning Star

Humility

There is a natural tendency in every heart to pride. It springs from self-love. We naturally have an exalted opinion of those we love, and as all love themselves, they have a high opinion of themselves, which is very liable to become inordinate and sinful. It is the duty of all to examine themselves strictly on this subject, and seek to God for humility. How little occasion have any to be proud! All that we have and all that we can do is of God. Of ourselves we are nothing, we are but instruments, and unprofitable servants. How much occasion have all to be humble! How many years have we spent in sin, how often have we gone astray from the path of rectitude, how much imperfection in all that we do, how far do we come short of our duty! How little do we know even of ourselves, and the most familiar objects around us, mere children in knowledge.

If we consider the case of the most pious and useful men who have lived, we see in them eminent examples of humility. The devoted ministers of the last century, the reformers, the martyrs, and primitive Christians were very humble. They gloried in the cross, and rejoiced in being counted worthy to suffer reproach, for the name of Jesus. They delighted to abase themselves, and to make Christ all in all. But most wonderful of all is the example of our divine Lord, who though he was rich, became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich. What more affecting spectacle than his life as exhibited in the sacred volume? Who can contemplate it, and then suffer himself to be puffed up with pride and self-sufficiency? Reader are you proud? Search and see. God knoweth the proud afar off, but he dwells in the humble and contrite heart. A haughty spirit goeth before a fall, but before honor is humility.

J. J. B.