Christian character embodies the Christlike qualities of integrity, kindness, meekness, and steadfastness in the believer's daily life, reflecting Jesus' love and purity (Galatians 5:22-23). It involves building a noble, consistent character through personal effort and spiritual growth, often illustrated by images of gentle strength, enduring faith, and humble service (2 Corinthians 5:7).
True Christians demonstrate their faith by selfless actions, even in difficult circumstances.
During World War II a 15-year-old boy managed to enlist in the Navy and eventually joined the crew of a destroyer escort in the North Atlantic. After the ship left port, he gave himself away by being so frightened and homesick.
Even though the safety of the ship was at stake, the youth had to stand his watch. The bo's'n assigned to him the midnight to 4 a.m. watch on the bow. A lanky cowboy from Texas named Cogswell had the preceding duty at the dangerous and important post.
Fearing the worst, the captain stayed on the bridge during the "graveyard watch." About 1 a.m. he looked out through the starlit night to see how the novice sailor was faring. To his amazement, he recognized the tall frame of Cogswell.
The next morning, the skipper asked the bo's'n, "Did you know Cogswell took the kid's place last night and stood eight hours straight duty?"
"Yes sir, I did," he replied. "Well," replied the captain, "what do you think about it?" "Sir, I didn't think anything about it. Didn't you know? Cogswell's a Christian!"
Christians should be steady, persistent, and effective like a hammer in their daily walk.
What we need are more Christians who quietly but effectively do their jobs like a hammer. A hammer keeps its head; it doesn't fly off the handle; it keeps pounding away; it finds the point quickly and drives it home; and perhaps more important, it is the only knocker in the world that accomplishes anything worthwhile!
Consider the hammer, and follow its example in your daily walk with Christ.
Living truthfully, forgiving, helping others, and serving God are never regretted actions.
For telling the truth;
For living a pure life;
For your faith in Christ;
For acknowledging your sins;
For doing your best;
For thinking before judging;
For forgiving your enemies;
For helping a fallen brother;
For being loyal to the church;
For standing by your principles;
For being courteous and kind;
For money given to he Lord's cause;
For being honest in business. Be a Doer
If you have a gift-bring it.
If you have a song-sing it.
If you have a talent-use it.
If you have love-diffuse it.
If you have sadness-bear it.
If you have gladness-share it.
If you have happiness-give it.
If you have religion-live it.
If you have a prayer-pray it. A Friend Is...
A push when you're stopped,
A guide when you're searching,
A song when you're glad,
A word when you're lonely,
A smile when you're sad.
Meekness involves humility and self-sacrifice for mutual benefit and peace.
Two goats met one another upon a narrow plank set up across a river, so that they could not pass by without one thrusting the other off. If they were human beings they would argue who had the right to survive. But the goats figured it all out, how one could help the other and, at the same time, help itself. One lay down, and let the other leap over it.
A Christlike life often convinces others more than arguments or words.
"What argument of mine led you to Christ?" asked a missionary in Egypt of an educated Mohammedan who was preaching Christ with great zeal and success. The missionary was surprised to receive this answer, "Every argument presented I could refute, at least to my satisfaction. It was your life that convinced me of salvation through Christ." A Good Marital Testimony
Not long ago a Hindu woman was converted chiefly by hearing the Word of God read. She suffered much persecution from her husband. One day a missionary asked her, "When your husband is angry and persecutes you, what do you do?" She replied, "Well, sir, I cook his food better; when he complains, I sweep the floor cleaner; and when he speaks unkindly, I answer him mildly. I try, sir, to show him that when I became a Christian I became a better wife and a better mother." Are You a Good Showcase?
Gutav Dore, the famous artist, once lost his passport while traveling in Europe. When he came to the boundary post between two countries and was asked for his passport, he fumbled about and finally announced, "I have lost it, but it is all right. I'm Dore, the artist. Please let me go in." "Oh, no," said the officer. "We have plenty of people representing themselves as this or that great person! Here is a pencil and paper. Now, if you are Dore the artist, prove it by drawing me a picture." He took the pencil and drew some pictures of a scene in the immediate area. "Now I am perfectly sure you are Dore. No one else could draw like that!" said the officer as he allowed Dore to enter the country. So it is with us. People follow what we do on the stage of life. They look to see if our conduct squares with our profession. Are we drawing the picture of Christ, as it were, or of a different person? What the world wants to see is reality in our actions. It has been said that God has great and wonderful things to display if He finds suitable showcases. Are you a good showcase for Jesus Christ? A Rich Conversion
A certain titled gentleman was converted. He loved the Lord a great deal, but he was not well taught in the Scriptures. He thought that he could continue in some of his worldly engagements and still bear a good testimony. On one occasion some weeks after he gave his heart to the Lord, this man accepted an invitation to a rather worldly party. Upon his arrival, one of the guests greeted him with these words: "I'm so glad to see you and to know that it isn't true." "I beg your pardon," he replied, "but I don't think I quite understand you." "Why, " said the other guest, "rumors were around that you had been converted a few weeks ago; I'm so glad you're here and to know the rumor was unfounded." "But it is true!" the man exclaimed. Hesitating a moment, he added, "I see that you think this party is no place for a Christian to be, and you are right. You will never again see me at such an affair, nor will anyone else." Not Words But Deeds
A young man had gone as a missionary to China. He was filled with love for the people but was unable to master the language. At last, having done his best for two years without success, he felt it his duty to take his resignation to the mission house. When this became known, a delegation of natives, composed of heathen as well as Christians, went to the mission house with the pleas that this man remain. Their argument was this: "He has done us all more good than anyone else in the mission, although he does not understand our language and cannot preach to us."
Setting a poor example undermines the credibility of Christian teaching.
A mother said to her child, "Johnny, you take those marbles back to Willie Jones. You know I have told you about playing marbles for keeps; you think you won them, but that is wrong; you go right back and give them to the boy from whom you took them." "Yes, Mama," said Johnny dutifully, "and shall I take back the painted vase you won at Mrs. Jones' bridge party?"
Believers are spectacles through which sinners see Christ; purity is essential.
“We are made a spectacle … to angels and to men.” 1 Corinthians 4:9
One of the students of the Southern Bible Training School of Dallas, Texas, was praying and besought the Lord as follows: “O Lord, please keep your spectacles clean so that sinners can see you through us, ‘cause you know, Lord, we are your spectacles.”
He did not know that the original word “theatron” means a show or display, but supposed it referred to eyeglasses. How we all need to remember that unsaved men can only see Christ through us, and if our lives are unclean, the vision of the Saviour will be blurred!
Our actions reveal the mix of sin and grace within our hearts.
"He that hath in his pocket more store of gold than of brass farthings will at every draught bring out more gold than farthings." Of course the hand fetches out the various kinds of coins in proportion as they exist in the place from which it takes them. Now, our works are our hand, and this, by action, fetches out of us that which is in us. In a child of God there is a measure of natural evil, and a more abounding measure of grace; and so it will come to pass that, in his life, holiness will be more conspicuous than sin. His life has its failings, but much more its virtues. Peter brought out brass farthings of boasting and impetuous folly at times; but he also brought forth so much true gold that his Lord said, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona." When he had received the Holy Ghost he brought out much more gold; but even then a farthing came out now and then, for Paul withstood him because he was to be blamed.
When the believer's tongue also makes a dip into the pocket of the heart there may come forth some of those wretched brass farthings in the form of idle words; but much more will the gold be poured forth in edifying discourse. Paul saith that foolish talking is not befitting, but he commends giving of thanks; now, if somewhat of our folly has come forth in our talk, let us give heed that far more of our gratitude shall be brought out also. We ought daily to grow richer in grace, and so have more gold, and less of the baser sort. Lord, help me to get rid of these miserable brass counters, and do thou fill up their places with the precious metal of thine own holiness and truth. Am I not thy child? Wilt thou not supply me within with that which will be fit to be brought out into my life? Oh that I might be "filled with all the fulness of God," that my poor empty things may no more appear!
True godliness is consistent, not just a temporary response to spiritual excitement.
"We do not judge of men's complexions by the colour they have when they sit before the fire. We cannot judge of a man by a holy fit which he hath when he is under the influence of a sermon, or in good company; but when at all times he labours to keep up a warmth of heart towards God." If all were truly good who are occasionally good, good men would not be scarce. See how people weep under a moving sermon! Think not, therefore, that their hearts are changed, for even marble drips in certain weathers. A man fresh from a revival-meeting looks like a zealous Christian; but see him when he goes to market. As a face rendered red by the fire soon loses all its ruddiness, so do numbers lose all their godliness when they quit the society of the godly. Lord, let me never be what I cannot be forever. Give me a complexion which I shall wear all my lifetime, and when time shall be no more.
Be genuine and humble rather than pretending to be something you're not.
Be yourself. Ape no greatness. Be willing to pass for what you are. A good farthing is better than a bad sovereign. Affect no oddness; but dare to be right, though you have to be singular.
— S. Coley
True religion's value is diminished without amiable character and loving, gentle behavior.
The brilliancy of the most valuable diamond may be hidden by earthly incrustations, the lustre of gold may be dimmed for want of polish, and the most majestic portrait be half covered with dust or mildew. So religion, which is more precious than rubies, more valuable than gold, and the very image of God in the soul of man, may have its worth and its excellence depreciated by infirmities of temper, and a want of amiable deportment. Be it your desire, your endeavor, your prayer, to unite the holy and the amiable: let the diamond with its flashing hues be thus seen in its most tasteful setting, the gold in its brightest polish, and the picture exhibiting the freshest colors, and surrounded by the richest frame. J. A. James.
Almost being a Christian is dangerous and ineffective; full commitment is required.
Almost a son is a bastard; almost sweet is unsavory; almost hot is lukewarm, which God speweth out of his mouth. A Christian almost is like a woman which dieth in travail, — almost she brought forth a son; but that almost killed the mother and the son too. Almost a Christian is like Micah, which thought himself religious enough because he had gotten a priest into his house. Almost a Christian is like the Ephraimites, which could not pronounce Shibboleth, but Sibboleth. Almost a Christian is like Ananias, which brought a part, but left a part behind. Almost a Christian is like Eli's sons, which polled the sacrifices; like the fig-tree, which deceived Christ with leaves; like the virgins, which carried lamps without oil; like the willing unwilling son, who said he would come, and would not.
— Henry Smith
Christian ethics are superior but often criticized due to believers' inconsistent conduct.
The superiority of the Christian code is practically acknowledged, and often confessed, in a most significant way, by the mode in which the enemies of Christianity taunt its disciples.
When they speak of the vices and corruptions of the heathen, they blame, and justly blame, the principles of their vicious systems; and ask how it could be otherwise. When they blame the Christian, the first and the last thing they usually do is to point in triumph to the contrast between his principles and practice.
"How much better," say they, "is his code than his conduct!" It is as a hypocrite that they censure him. It is sad for him that it should be so; but it is a glorious compliment to the morality of the New Testament. Its enemies know not how to attack its disciples, except by endeavoring to show that they do not act as it bids them. Surely this uniform excellence of the Christian ethics, as compared with other systems, is a peculiarity worth nothing, and utterly incomprehensible upon the hypothesis that it was the unaided work of man. That there are points on which the moral systems of men and nations osculate, is most true; that there should have been certain approximations on many most important subjects, was to be expected from the essential identity of human nature in all ages and countries; but their deviations in some point or other—usually in several—from what we acknowledge to be both right and expedient, is equally undeniable. That when such men as Plato and Aristotle tried their hands upon the problem, they should err, while the writers of the New Testament should have succeeded; that these last should do what all mankind besides had in some points or other failed to do,—is sufficiently wonderful. That
Galilean Jews should have solved the problem, is, whether we consider their age, their ignorance, or their prepossessions, to me utterly incredible. H. Rogers.
Some Christians show zeal only when externally stimulated, lacking consistent spiritual warmth.
There are certain minerals, such as quartz, fluor-spar, and the diamond, which when rubbed against each other, or exposed to a considerable degree of heat, will, when removed to a dark place, throw off very beautiful light, although before opaque. This is called phosphorescence. So there are some Christians like these stones, who are cold and dark in themselves, but under the influence of eloquence, sympathy, &c., are excited to earnest glows of love, and zealous actions of good works. Hitchcock.
A Christian must live consistently with their name and profession of faith.
Alexander the Great had a soldier in his army who bore his own name, but was a great coward. The emperor, enraged at his conduct, justly said to him, "Either change your name, or learn to honor it." So may it be said to many Christians. Bowes.
Christians should ensure their profession of faith is genuine and consistent in life.
A Christian, when he makes a good profession, should be sure to make his profession good. It is sad to see many walk in the dark themselves, who carry a lantern for others. Pecker.—The whole complexion of a negro is less noticed than a single stain on the features of a white countenance. Jay.
Christians should consistently speak and live according to their heavenly calling in all settings.
For my part, when Christ and his righteousness are the subject of conference, I know not how to complain of poverty. I feel no weariness, but could rather delight to talk of them without ceasing. Would you not expect to hear of engagements and victories from a soldier? Would any be surprised to find a merchant discoursing of foreign affairs, or canvassing the state of trade? Why, then, should not the agents for the court of heaven treat of heavenly things? Why should not their whole conversation savor of their calling? Why should they be one thing when they bend the knee or speak from the pulpit, and quite a different one when they converse in the parlor?
— Hervey
Consistent godly living attracts others to inquire about Jesus and glorify God.
They say the world has an eagle eye for any thing inconsistent; and it has an eagle eye, sharp to discover the vagaries and inconsistencies in the defaulty and the unworthy. It has an eagle eye; but the eagle winks before the sun, and the burning iris of its eye shrinks abashed before the unsullied purity of noon. Let your light so shine before men, that others, awed and charmed by the consistency of your godly life, may come to inquire, and to say they have been with Jesus. W. M. Punshon.
Before judging others, ensure your own life is free from the faults you criticize.
Before thou reprehend another, take heed that thou art not culpable in what thou goest about to reprehend. He that cleanses a blot with blurred fingers will make a greater blot. Even the candle-snuffers of the sanctuary were of pure gold. Quarles.
A true Christian remains pure and faithful in all circumstances, like gold retaining its value.
The philosopher's good man is four-square; cast him where you will, like a dye, he falls always square and sure: so, cast a gracious man where you will, and into what company you will, and into what condition you will, yet still he falls sure and square for God and godliness. Let the times be never so sad, nor never so bad, yet a gracious soul will keep his hold; he will let all go before he will let his God go, or his religion go, or his integrity go. A gracious Christian is like gold. Now cast gold into the fire, or into the water; cast it upon the dunghill, or into the kennel; cast it among the poor, or among the rich; among the religious, or among the wicked, yet still it is gold, still it retains its purity and excellency: so cast a gracious Christian (who is the only golden Christian in the world) into what condition you will, and into what company you will, yet still he will retain his purity, his innocency. T. Brooks.
Courtesy reveals a person's true character and calling, like a tree is known by its fruit.
As the tree is known by its fruits, the gold by the touch, and the bell by the sound; so is a man's birth by his benevolence, his honor by his humility, and his calling by his courtesy. As the peg straineth the lute-strings, so courtesy stretcheth the heart-strings. Caudray.
A true gentleman is gentle, mild, and humble, reflecting Christian character.
A Christian is God Almighty's gentleman. The real gentleman should be gentle in every thing; at least in every thing that depends on himself, — in carriage, temper, constructions, aims, desires. Be ought, therefore, to be be mild, calm, quiet, even, temperate; not hasty in judgment, not exorbitant in ambition, not overbearing, not proud, not rapacious, not oppressive: for these things are contrary to gentleness. Hare.
Christian graces are the heart's substance, not external additions, reflecting true transformation.
When we receive a grace, it is not because God out of his infinite stores takes a grace and hands it down to us, because it is produced in our life. As pictures are slid into a magic-lantern, and then reflected upon a wall: so many people think God slides graces into the heart, and that the man's life only reflects them. But graces are not interjected pictures: their forms and colors are the substance of the heart. When a watch is rightly constructed, God does not put time into it hour by hour: the regular working of the machinery, so far as the watch is concerned, makes and marks the time. Now, religion, the sum of the graces, is making the right journey heavenward, — keeping time to God. Beecher.
Christian graces should be constant and readily available like water from every faucet.
GRACES, Constancy of the Christian graces should be like Croton water, which presses from the reservoir on every faucet in the city. Each one should be full, and ready for use when needed; whereas they are too often like a pump run down, and need a deal of working before they can supply our need. Beecher.
Unequal growth of Christian graces leads to imbalance and spiritual problems.
All our graces are to be cultivated to the neglect of none of them. If one side of a tree grows, and the other does not, the tree acquires a crooked form, — is a misshapen thing. Nor are monsters among mankind made only by want of parts, as when the body wants a limb, or a face an eye, or a leg a foot, or the arm a hand, but also by some one part growing in excess of others. Analogous in its results to this is the unequal growth of Christian graces. Let fear, for example, that godly fear which is so strong a safeguard of the soul, grow out of due proportion to faith, and the result is a gloomy, despondent, unhappy Christian. Or let that zeal which makes us like a flaming fire in the service of our God grow more than knowledge, prudence, wisdom; and like a machine without director or balance-wheel, generating into extravagance, it carries men away into the region of wild fanaticism. Dr. Guthrie.
Christian graces grow slowly through long discipline, not instantly like light or rain.
Men plant prayers and endeavors, and go the next day looking to see if they have borne graces. Now, God does not send graces as he sends light and rain; but they are wrought in us through long days of discipline and growth. Acorns and graces sprout quickly, but grow long before ripening. Beecher.
Growing Christian graces overcome faults like crops outgrow weeds by growth.
GRACES, Influence of Men's graces must get the better of their faults as a farmer's crops do of the weeds, — by growth. When the corn is low, the farmer uses the plough to root up the weeds; but when it is high, and shakes its palm-like leaves in the wind, he says, "Let the corn take care of them;" for the dense shadow of growing corn is as fatal to weeds as the edge of the sickle. Beecher.
Christian graces are the outgrowth of a whole life, not instant gifts from God.
GRACES, Production of the Many people seem to imagine that God keeps a gracious apothecary's shop above, with faith and meekness and humility put up in bottles ready for purchasers; and that, as they could go into a perfumer's here below, and ask for this or that extract, so they can go to God, and ask for this or that grace. They think if they go into their closet at night, and pray with faith for faith, if the expression be not an absurdity, that the next morning it will be delivered to them. Christian graces can never be obtained in this way. They must be the outgrowth of the life. The prayer for graces will be answered; but God will make us work out each one with fear and trembling. The spire that almost touches the stars does not rise, isolated, from the ground: beneath it, and supporting it, is the massy substructure, the vast cathedral of stone. So faith cannot soar alone to heaven: it must be the steeple and spire of the whole life-building. Beecher.
Honesty leads to trust and opportunities, as shown by a boy returning change faithfully.
A nobleman travelling in Scotland was asked for alms in the high street of Edinburgh, by a little ragged boy. He said he had no change; upon which the boy offered to procure it. His lordship, in order to get rid of his importunity, gave him a piece of silver; which the boy conceiving was to be changed, ran off for the purpose. On his return, not finding his benefactor, whom he expected to wait, he watched for several days in the place where he had received the money. At length, the nobleman happened again to pass that way. The boy accosted him, and put the change he had procured into his hand, counting it with great exactness. His lordship was so pleased with the boy's honesty, that he placed him at school, with the assurance of providing for him. Percy.
Faithfulness to repay debts honors God even after many years and hardship.
A gentleman of Boston was unfortunate in business thirty years ago, and unable at that time to meet his engagements with his creditors. After more than twenty years of toil, he succeeded in paying the whole amount due to every creditor, except one, whose residence he could not find. His mind was not at rest until he found that the party had died several years before. He found, however, his administrator, and remitted the whole amount, principal and interest.
Refusing to lie at work can result in greater trust and responsibility.
A clerk was directed by his employer to answer a letter countermanding a previous order for goods, by saying that they had been already shipped. It was false, and the clerk refused to write it. Instead of being turned away, he was made confidential clerk.
An Indian trusted his neighbors' honesty, showing faith in others' integrity.
"In the year 1771," says Mr. Heckerwelder, "while I was residing on the Big Beaver, I passed by the door of an Indian, who was a trader, and had consequently a quantity of goods in his house. He was going with his wife to Pittsburg; and they were chutting up the house, as no person remained in it during their absence. This shutting-up was nothing else than putting a large hominy pounding-block, with a few sticks of wood, outside against the door, so as to keep it closed. As I was looking at this man with attention, while he was so employed, he addressed me in these words, 'See, my friend, this is an Indian lock that I am putting to my door.' I answered, 'Well enough; but I see you leave much property in the house: are you not afraid that those articles will be stolen while you are gone?'—'Stolen! by whom?'—'Why, by the Indians, to be sure.'—'No, no,' replied he, 'no Indians would do such a thing; and, unless a white man or white people should happen to come this way, I shall find all safe at my return.'"
True honesty means doing good without bribes and refusing to do wrong for gain.
Epaminondas, being offered large bribes, replied, "If the thing you desire be good, I will do it without any bribe, because it is good: if it be not honest, I will not do it for all the goods in the world."
God is always watching, so honesty is essential even when no one else sees.
HONESTY, Principle of "Johnnie," said a man, winking slyly to a dry-goods clerk of his acquaintance, "you must give me good measure: your master is not in." Johnnie looked solemnly into the man's face, and replied, "My Master is always in." Johnnie's master was the all-seeing God.
A child's honesty in returning lost money brought blessing and provision to her family.
A gentleman jumping from an omnibus in New York lost his pocket-book. In a little while, he discovered his loss, and hastily returned, inquiring of every one he met if a pocket-book had been found. Meeting a little girl of ten years of age, he made the same inquiry. She asked, "What kind of a pocket-book?" He described it. Then unfolding her apron, "Is this it?"—"Yes, that is mine: come into this store with me." The gentleman examined the papers. "That is all right," said he, "fifteen notes of a thousand dollars each. Take this note of a thousand dollars as a reward for your honesty."—"No," said the little girl, "I cannot take it. I have been taught in Sunday school not to keep what is not mine; and my parents would think I had stolen it."—"Take me to your parents, then?" She took him to her humble home. The gentleman not only bestowed the gift, but provided employment for the father.
Honor is accessible to all, regardless of status, as shown by Æsop's statue.
The Athenians erected a large statue to Æsop, and placed him, though a slave, on a lasting pedestal, to show that the way to honor lies open indifferently to all. Phœdrus.
A virtuous lady embodies devotion, modesty, chastity, discretion, and charity.
A lady accomplished is like a star with five rays, which are the five virtues, — devotion, modesty, chastity, discretion, and charity. Devotion formeth the interior; modesty makes it appear in the exterior with a requisite comeliness; chastity perfecteth both the one and the other; discretion appliceth it to the direction of others; and charity crowneth all her actions. N. Caussin.
Being agreeable means showing friendly, sincere behavior that wins others' minds more than wit.
The true art of being agreeable is to appear well pleased with all the company, and rather to seem well entertained with them than to bring entertainment to them. A man thus disposed may have not much learning, nor any wit; but if he has common sense, and something friendly in his behavior, it conciliates men's minds more than the brightest parts without this disposition. It is true, indeed, that a man should not dissemble and flatter in company; but a man may be very agreeable, strictly consistent with truth and sincerity, by a prudent silence where he cannot concur, and a pleasing assent when he can. Now and then, you meet with a person so exactly formed to please, that he will gain upon every one that beholds him. This disposition is not merely the gift of Nature, but frequently the effect of much knowledge of the world, and a command over the passions. Addison.
True politeness shows compassion, unlike boorishness that scorns and disregards others' burdens.
Did you ever see a well-dressed boy or girl compel a woman carrying a big basket or bundle to step off the sidewalk. I have: and I have also seen a glossy-coated boy or a silk-clad miss give such poor persons a look of scorn, which seemed to say, "I am china; you are delf. Get out of my way! How dare you presume to stand in my path?"—"You civilized little boor," I have said to myself at such a sight, "you haven't a particle of politeness in you. If you had, you would pity that burdened woman, and get out of her way." If I have such an impolite boy or girl among my readers, I wish he would take a lesson from the life of Napoleon. When he was on the Island of St. Helena, he walked out with a lady one day. A poor man with a heavy pack met them. The lady kept straight on; but the ex-emperor gently waved her on one side, saying, "Respect the burden, madam."
— Dr. Wise
Good manners ease conversation and reflect a person's true worth and virtue.
A man's worth is estimated in this world according to his conduct. — La Bruyère. — Good manners is the art of making those people easy with whom we converse. — Swift. — A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners. — Chesterfield. — Virtue itself offends when coupled with forbidding manners. — Bp. Middleton.
Christian character is rare and precious, perfected through trials and perseverance.
There are things precious, not from the materials of which they are made, but from the risk and difficulty of bringing them to perfection. The speculum of the largest telescope foils the optician's skill in casting. Too much or too little heat, the interposition of a grain of sand, a slight alteration in the temperature of the weather, and all goes to pieces: it must be recast. Therefore, when successfully finished, it is a matter for almost the congratulation of a country. Rarer, and more difficult still, than the costliest part of the most delicate of instruments, is the completion of Christian character. Only let there come the heat of persecution, or the cold of human desertion, a little of the world's dust; and the rare and costly thing is liable to be cracked, and become a failure.
— F. W. Robertson
True refinement is a spiritual lifting of the soul, evidencing genuine faith in Christ.
Refinement is one of the outworkings of faith in the spiritual. It is the lifting of one's self upwards from the merely sensual, the effort of the soul to etherealize the common wants and uses of life. A really refined man who ignores Christianity is a creature to beget wonder.
— Beecher
Christianity ennobles and improves character beyond natural goodness or ambition.
All who have been great and good without Christianity would have been greater and better with it. If there be, among the sons of men, a single exception to this maxim, the divine Socrates may be allowed to put in the strongest claim. It was his high ambition to deserve, by deeds and not by creeds, an unrevealed heaven, and by works, not by faith, to enter an unpromised land. Colton.
Notable Christians exemplified gentle, peaceful temperaments worthy of imitation.
Archbishop Usher was never known to do an ill office to any one. Mr. Hervey was never known to be in a passion. The father of Philip Henry, on account of his amiability, was called "Heavenly Henry." Bishop Burnet says of Bishop Leighton, that, during a strict intimacy of many years, he never saw him in any other temper than that in which he would wish to live and die.
Christians endure great losses but may fail in small irritations, revealing true character.
Many Christians who bear the loss of a dear child, or of all their property, with the most heroic Christian fortitude, are entirely vanquished by the breaking of a dish or the blunders of a servant.
— Newton
Rev. Brewer exemplified peacefulness by avoiding conflict and calming situations.
Of Rev. Mr. Brewer of Stepney, it is said, "He was deaf when he could hear, blind when he could see, dumb when he could speak; that he extinguished all the fires he could, and never kindled any."
Firmin Abauzit’s serene temper and kindness overcame repeated servant neglect.
Firmin Abauzit, who lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years, was a person of such a serene disposition, that he was not known to have been out of temper during the whole of his long life. Some persons, doubting the possibility of such a meek disposition, applied to a female who had kept his house for thirty years, to try to provoke him, on the promise of money if she succeeded. Knowing that her master was very fond of having his bed comfortably made, she neglected it. Next morning, Abauzit reminded her of the neglect. She said she had forgotten it; and nothing more was said. The ensuing night, the bed was again unmade; and the woman, being reminded of it, made some frivolous excuse. At length, on the third morning, her master said, "You have not yet made my bed: it is evident you are determined not to do it. Well, I suppose you find the job troublesome; but it is of little consequence, for I begin to be used to it already." Moved by such kindness and goodness of temper, the servant discontinued the experiment she had been prevailed upon to make, and was again forgiven. Percy.
Some have a quick temper, ready to quarrel over the smallest offense.
There is in some persons an excessive liability to be offended; a morbid sensibility, which is kindled to anger by the least possible injury, whether that injury is intentional or unintentional. They are all combustible, and ignite by a spark. A word, nay, a look, is enough to inflame them. They are ever ready to quarrel with any or every body, and remind us of what Cromwell said of John Lilburne, that he was so quarrelsome, that, if he could find nobody else to quarrel with, John would quarrel with Lilburne, and Lilburne with John.
— J. A. James
True conversion changes a person's temper, not just their outward profession.
Too many have no idea of the subjection of their temper to the influence of religion; and yet what is changed if the temper is not? If a man is as passionate, malicious, resentful, sullen, moody, or morose after his conversion as before it, what is he converted from or to? J. A. James.
Even godly men experience variations in temper, showing human frailty despite faith.
The sea is not so calm in summer, but hath its commotions; the mountain so firm, but may be mowed with an earthquake. Dogs in a chase bark sometimes at their own masters. So do men in their passions let fly at their best friends. When the taste is vitiated, it mistakes. When there is a suffusion in the eye (as in case of the jaundice), it apprehends colors like itself: so here. Abraham felt the motion of trepidation; meek Moses was over-angry at Meribah; so was Job, Jonas, Jeremiah, &c. John Trapp.
