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).
Whining reflects a sinful, ungrateful attitude inconsistent with Christian character.
There is a class of persons in this world, by no means small, whose prominent peculiarity is whining. They whine because they are poor, or, if rich, because they have no health to enjoy their riches; they whine because it is too shiny; they whine because it is too rainy; they whine because they have "no luck," and others' prosperity exceeds theirs; they whine because some friends have died, and they are still living; they whine because they have aches and pains, and have aches and pains because they whine; and they whine no one can tell why.
— T. S. Arthur
Christian virtue is like a radiant, imperishable diamond shining in all conditions.
There is something in the glow of precious stones that peculiarly fits them to serve for spiritual figures. There is about them a subtle light, — a brilliancy that burns without fire; that consumes nothing, and requires no supply; that forever shines without oil; that is ever-living, unwasting, unchanged by any of the natural elements. A diamond that glows in the sunlight flashes yet more beautifully in the night. No mould can get root upon it; no rust can tarnish it; no decay can waste it. The jewels that were buried two thousand years ago, if now dug up from royal and prizedly tombs, would come forth as fair and fresh as they were when the proud wearer first carried them in his diadem, — fit emblems by which to represent spiritual qualities, and the beauty and imperishableness of Christian virtue. And a company of holy men resting upon the Lord Jesus Christ may well be compared to a palace built upon broad foundations, and sparkling to the very summit with living stones, which throw back to the sun a differing flash through every hour of his rise or fall through the long day. Beecher.
A boy separates his dancing foot from the one he reserves for the Church, showing divided devotion.
A little boy named Jamie, who loved music, and could hardly keep his feet still when he heard it, received the idea that dancing was not right. One day, when the piano was giving forth a sprightly tune, his uncle observed that Jamie danced briskly with one foot, but kept the other still. He asked Jamie, "Why don't you dance with both feet?" Pointing to his quiet foot, he replied, "This foot belongs to the Church."
True nobility is found in virtue, which binds people closer than blood relations.
Virtue alone is true nobility; therefore the most virtuous are the most noble. A virtuous friend should be esteemed above a vicious relation; for the ties of virtue are more binding than those of blood, and every good person is nearer related to another good person than he can possibly be to any of his immoral relations. Antisthenes.
Virtue is imperishable and remains intact despite external losses or destruction.
When King Demetrius had sacked and razed the city of Magaera to the very foundation, he demanded of Stilpo the philosopher what losses he had sustained. "None at all," said Stilpo; "for war can make no spoil of virtue." And 'tis said of Bias, that his motto was, Omnia mea mecum porto, "I carry all my goods with me;" viz., his goodness. Venning.
Virtue influences and transforms all actions and relationships it touches.
Virtue, like fire, turns all things into itself: our actions and our friendships are tinctured with it, and whatever it touches becomes amiable. Seneca.
Virtue was despised and crucified like Christ, despite being worthy of love.
One Sunday, Dr. Blair, warning in his presentation of his favorite theme, thus apostrophized virtue: "O Virtue! if thou wert embodied, how all men would love thee!" His colleague, Dr. Walker, in the afternoon, in the course of his sermon, rejoined as follows: "Virtue has been embodied. Did all men love her? No: she was despised and rejected of men, who, after defaming, insulting, and scourging her, led her to Calvary, where they crucified her between two thieves."
True virtue retains value in all circumstances and is humble without boasting.
As a precious stone retains its value even when cast in the dust, so does the virtue of righteous men either in prison or in prosperity. As we eat nuts or fruit, using the kernel, but throwing the rind and shell away, so ought we to be in love with virtue, despising its shadow when separated from itself. As a body casts the least shadow at noon, so, the more virtue is in a man, the less ostentation and boasting will be observed in him. Cawdray.
Virtue's worth is not diminished by being ignored or slighted by the world.
Virtue loses not its worth by being slighted by the world, any more than a pearl or a jewel is disesteemed by filthy swine, or the foolish cock, who may prefer barleycorns to them. Scraggs.
Virtue's excellence depends on its intrinsic goodness, not on famous endorsements.
To little minds alone is it necessary to recommend virtue by great names. If an action be not intrinsically good, the name of Socrates, of Cæsar, of Cato, or of Plato, can stamp no excellence on it; and, if a sentiment be false, it cannot be rendered otherwise by affixing a large number of the greatest names to it. Scraggs.
Vows.
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A cheerful wife brings real happiness and pride to her husband.
The tear of a loving girl, says an old book, is like a dew-drop on the rose; but that on the cheek of a wife is a drop of poison to her husband. Try to appear cheerful and contented, and your husband will be so; and, when you have made him happy, you will become so, not in appearance, but in reality. The skill required is not so great. Nothing flatters a man so much as the happiness of his wife: he is always proud of himself as the source of it. Justus Moser.
A good wife balances discretion, kindness, and regularity without excess.
An old author says, "A good wife should be like three things; which three things she should not be like. First, she should be like a snail, to keep within her own house; but she should not be like the snail, to carry all she has upon her back. Secondly, she should be like an echo, to speak when spoken to; but she should not be like an echo, always to have the last word. Thirdly, she should be like a town-clock, always to keep time and regularity; but she should not, like a town-clock, speak so loud that all the town may hear her."
The Sermon on the Mount teaches sincere godly fear, unlike noisy pagan religious displays.
Mrs. Judson, giving some account in a letter, of the first Burman convert, says:—A few days ago I was reading with him Christ's sermon on the Mount. He was deeply impressed, and unusually solemn. "These words," said he, "take hold on my very heart; they make me tremble. Here God commands us to do every thing that is good in secret, not to be seen of men. How unlike our religion is this! When Burmans make offerings at the pagodas, they make a great noise with drums and musical instruments, that others may see how good they are; but this religion makes the mind fear God; it makes it, of its own accord, fear sin."
A sinner respects a godly man's consistent holy life, affecting his own conscience.
In the town of M—, N. Y., there lived an infidel who owned a sawmill, situated by the side of the highway, over which a large portion of a Christian congregation passed every Sabbath, in going to and returning from their place of worship. This infidel was accustomed to manage his mill himself, and having no regard for the Sabbath, he was as busy and his mill as noisy on that holy morning as any other. It was soon observed, however, that at a certain time before service this mill would stop and remain silent, and appear to be destitute of the presence of any human being for a few minutes, then pass on with its noise and clatter till about the close of service, when it again ceased for a little time. It was soon noticed that Deacon B—passed the mill toward the place of worship, during the silent interval. It appeared that the Deacon being (as all other good deacons are) regular in his time, the infidel knew just when to stop nis mill, so that it should be silent while
Deacon B— was passing, although he paid no regard to the passing of others.
On being inquired of, why he paid this marked respect to Deacon B—,
### 102. CONSII
Christian forbearance honors Christ even when insulted.
Mr. Kilpin, of Bedford, father of the Rev. S. Kilpin, of Exeter, was distinguished for many Christian excellences. The following anecdote is related in the life of his son, in reference to his Christian forbearance.
Passing up the street one evening, a drunken man knocked Mr. Kilpin down, and rolled him into the gutter, exclaiming, "That's the place for you, John Bunyan." The good man arose calmly, and returning to his family, related the circumstance; adding, that the honor of bearing such a name had outweighed the insult.
Responding to enemies with forgiveness reflects Christlike sweetness of temper.
Dr. Cotton Mather was remarkable for the sweetness of his temper. He took some interest in the political concerns of his country and on this account, as well as because he faithfully reproved iniquity, he had many enemies. Many abusive letters were sent him, all of which he tied up in a packet, and wrote upon the cover, "Libels;—Father forgive them."
Gentle firmness and forgiveness can overcome anger and restore friendship.
Two students of one of our Universities had a slight misunderstanding. One of them was a warm-blooded Southron. He conceived himself insulted, and began to demand satisfaction, according to his perverse notions of honor. He was met with a Christian firmness and gentleness. The other calmly told his excited fellow-student he could give only Christian satisfaction in any case; that he was not conscious of having intended him either injury or insult, and that if he could be convinced he had wronged him at all, he was willing to make ample reparation. Fired with chivalrous indignation for a few moments, he discharged a volley of reproachful epithets, and threatened to chastise his cowardly insolence. But nothing could move the other's equanimity. Without the slightest indication of fear or servility, he met his opponent's violence with true heroism, declared that they had hitherto been friends, and he meant to maintain his friendly attitude, however he might be treated, and conjured the threatener to consider how unworthy of himself his present temper, language and conduct were. His manner, look, words, tone, had their effect. The flush of anger turned to a blush of shame and compunction. The subdued Southron stepped frankly forward, reached forth his trembling hand, and exclaimed—"I have spoken and acted like a fool; can you forgive me?" "With all my heart," was the cordial response. Instantly they were locked in each other's embrace; reconciliation was complete; and they were evermore fast friends.
### 176. FORGIVEN
Calm forgiveness shows greater strength than harsh retaliation.
Philip, king of Macedon, discovered great moderation, even when he was spoken to in shocking and injurious terms. At the close of an audience which he gave to some Athenian ambassadors who were come to complain of some act of hostility, he asked whether he could do them any service. "The greatest service thou couldst do us," said Demochares, "would be to hang thyself." Philip, though he perceived all the persons present were highly offended at these words, answered with the utmost calmness of temper, "Go, tell your superiors, that those who dare make use of such insolent language, are more haughty, and less peaceably inclined than those who can forgive them."
A rebuke on luxurious living warns against worldliness distracting from God.
The Rev. Mr. S—, an eminent divine of the church of England, happened to dine with several other clergymen, in the house of a pious gentleman. After dinner, the conversation turned on the prevailing faults of professing Christians. Mr. S— said, that one of the most obvious sins which those of them who are wealthy are apt to indulge in, is the keeping too good tables; that various courses, expensive removes, and luxurious dishes, savored too much of the world, had a tendency to draw away the heart from God, to cherish the desires of the carnal mind, and to make people fond of what is unworthy of a man's attention—good eating; and then, in his plain blunt way, he added, "I cannot help saying, that the dinner we had to-day was not quite agreeable to my ideas of Christian simplicity." The hint was taken, and though Mr. S— repeatedly afterwards dined in the same house, he never once had occasion to repeat his remark.
Falsehood and luxury harm children's character and spiritual well-being.
The Rev. Robert Hall had so great an aversion to every species of falsehood and evasion, that he sometimes expressed himself very strongly on the subject. The following is an instance, stated in his life by Dr. Gregory: Once, while he was spending an evening at the house of a friend, a lady, who was there on a visit, retired, that her little girl of four to lay aside their arms, to wear long vests and buskins, that is, to vie with each other in the elegance and richness of their dress. Order them to drink, and sing, and play, and you will soon see their spirits broken, and themselves changed to the effeminacy of women, so that they will no more rebel, nor give you further uneasiness." The advice was followed, and the result proved how politic it was. While the advice is such as no good man could consistently follow, the incident shows the deteriorating influence of luxury in a very striking light.
True religion promotes discipline and excellence among seamen in difficult duties.
BOARD.
—"I have lately had the honor," said Captain Parry, at a public meeting in 1826, "and I may truly say the happi-ness, of commanding British seamen under circumstances requiring the ut-most activity, implicit and immediate obedience, and the most rigid attention to discipline and good order; and I am sure, that the maintenance of all these was, in a great measure, owing to the blessing of God upon our humble en-deavors to improve the religious and moral character of our men. In the schools established on board our ships in the winter, religion was made the primary object, and the result was every way gratifying and satisfactory. It has convinced me, that true religion is so far from being a hinderance to the ar-duous duties of that station in which it has pleased Providence to cast the sea-man's lot, that, on the contrary, it will always incite him to their performance, from the highest and most powerful of motives; and I will venture to predict, that in proportion as this spring of ac-tion is more and more introduced among our seamen, they would become such as every Englishman would wish to see them. To this fact at least, I can, on a small scale, bear the most decided testi-mony; and the friends of religion will feel a pleasure in having the fact an-nounced, that the very best seamen on board the Hecla—such, I mean, as were always called upon in any case of ex-traordinary emergency—were, without exception, those who had thought the most seriously on religious subjects; and if a still more scrupulous selection were to be made out of that number, the choice would fall, without hesitation on two or three individuals possess dispositions and sentiments emin. Christian."
# 365. RE
A Sunday school girl's honesty in returning lost money reflects godly character taught at home.
BOOK.—A gentlemen jumping from an omnibus
In the city of New-York, dropped his pocket-book, and had gone some distance before he discovered its loss; then hastily returning, inquired of every passenger whom he met, if a pocket-book had been seen. Finally, meeting a little girl of ten years old, to whom 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." They entered, he opened the book, counted the notes, and examined the papers. "They are all right," said he; "fifteen notes of a thousand dollars each; had they fallen into other hands, I might never have seen them again; take then, my little girl, this note of a thousand dollars, as a reward for your honesty, and a lesson to me, to be more careful in future." "No," said the girl, "I cannot take it; I have been taught at Sunday school not to keep what is not mine, and my parents would not be pleased if I took the note home, they might suppose I had stolen it." "Well, then, my girl, show me where your parents live." The girl took him to an humble tenement in an obscure street, rude, but cleanly; he informed the parents of the case; they told him their child had acted correctly. They were poor, it was true, but their pastor had always told them not to set their hearts on rich gifts. The gentleman told them they must take it, and he was convinced they would make a good use of it, from the principle they had professed.
The pious parents then blessed their benefactor, for such he proved, they paid their debts which had disturbed their peace, and the benevolent giver furnished him employment in his occupation, as a carpenter, enabling him to rear an industrious family in comparative happiness. This little girl became the wife of a respectable tradesman of New-York, and had reason to rejoice that she was born of pious parents, who had secured their daughter's happiness by sending her to Sunday school.
A boy learns honesty through Sunday school and returns money he had previously lied about.
A colored boy, living with Dr. M—, of P—, was sent by a little boy in the family with six cents to buy a top for him. On his return, he told the child that the top had cost twelve cents, and that he had paid the other six from his own money. He was repaid, and no more was thought of the affair.
Some time after, the colored boy was introduced to a Sunday school; and having learned some valuable lessons, he one day said to his master's son, "I gave but six cents for that top, and not twelve, as I told you; but I did not know then, as I do since I have been to a Sunday school, how wicked such things are." Handing him six cents from his pocket, he said, "I have been saving them for you, one by one—take them, they are yours."
A Quaker's patient meekness leads a merchant to repentance and changed attitude.
A merchant in London had a dispute with a quaker respecting the settlement of an account. The merchant was determined to bring the account into court, a proceeding which the quaker earnestly deprecated, using every argument in his power to convince the merchant of his error; but the latter was inflexible. Desirous to make a last effort, the quaker called at his house one morning, and inquired of the servant if his master was at home, the merchant hearing the inquiry, and knowing the voice, called out from the top of the stairs, "Tell that rascal I am not at home." The quaker looking up at him, calmly said, "Well, friend, God put thee in a better mind." The merchant, struck afterwards with the meekness of the reply, and having more deliberately investigated the matter, became convinced that the quaker was right and he was wrong. He requested to see him, and after acknowledging his error, he said, "I have one question to ask you, how were you able, with such patience, on various occasions, to bear my abuse?" "Friend," replied the quaker, "I will tell thee; I was naturally as hot and violent as thou art. I knew that to indulge this temper was sinful; and I found that it was imprudent. I observed that men in a passion always spake aloud; and I thought if I could control my voice, I should repress my passion. I have, therefore, made it a rule, never to let my voice rise above a certain key; and by a careful observance of this rule, I have, by the blessing of God, entirely mastered my natural temper." The quaker reasoned philosophically, and the merchant, as every one else may do, benefitted by his example.
The Duke of Marlborough exemplified calmness and self-control despite servant's rudeness.
The Duke of Marlborough possessed great command of temper, and never permitted it to be ruffled by little things, in which even the greatest men have been occasionally found unguarded. As he was one day riding with Commissary Marriot, it began to rain, and he called to his servant for his cloak. The servant not bringing it immediately, he called for it again. The servant, being embarrassed with the straps and buckles, did not come up to him. At last, it raining very hard, the duke called to him again, and asked him what he was about, that he did not bring his cloak. "You may stay, sir," grumbled the fellow, "if it rains cats and dogs, till I can get at it." The duke turned round to Marriot, and said, very coolly, "Now I would not be of that fellow's temper for all the world."
Meekness is shown by responding gently to harsh questions or situations.
A missionary in Jamaica was questioning the little black boys on the meaning of Matthew 5:5, and asked, “Who are the meek?” A boy answered: “Those who give soft answers to rough questions.”
Meekness controls anger and brings peace and a godly countenance.
The anger of a meek man is like fire struck out of steel,—hard to be got out, and, when got out, soon gone. Meekness not only gives great peace of mind, but often adds a luster to the countenance. We read of only three in Scripture whose faces shone remarkably,—viz., Christ, Moses and Stephen, and they were eminent for meekness.
Christ’s followers should be recognized by their distinctive godly conduct.
”That man’s been in the army,” said a gentleman to his friend the other day, as a stranger pass-ed them in the street; “I know a soldier by his walk.” Men ought to know Christ’s soldiers by their walk.
Being a Christian removes quarrelsome fighting but builds true strength and courage.
I heard an amusing story sometime ago about a savage in Africa who came to a missionary very much excited and told him that his dog had been completely spoiled as a watch-dog because he had chewed up and eaten a small New Testament he had happened to get hold of. He said that the dog would never be of any more use because the New Testament which he had swallowed would take all the fight out of him, and he could no longer keep wild animals away from the sheep. That seems a strange notion for a grown-up man to get into his head, doesn't it? And yet, boys and girls, I run across some young people even here in America that think if they let Christ into their hearts it will make them sort of "wishy-washy" and "goody-goody," and not strong and rugged people. It is true that to be a Christian does take some of the fight out of a person, but it is the quarrelsome kind of fighting that has neither beauty nor strength in it which it takes out of one. But when you come to read history you will find that some of our bravest soldiers were Christians. John Havelock, a British general who fought in India for the sake of his country, was called "The Christian Warrior." Sir Oliver Cromwell, who had to lead an army in England against the king, who was ill-treating the people, had a body of soldiers under him who were Christians, and they were such good soldiers and so hard to defeat that they were called "Cromwell's Ironsides." Sometimes just before battle these soldiers used to sing hymns and then pray on the battlefields. And because they were Christians it made better and braver soldiers of them. And so the truest kind of courage that any boy or girl can have is the kind that Christ gives. Paul tells all of us Christians to be "good soldiers." The Bible takes the wrong kind of fight out of you and puts the right kind of fight into you, the fight for noble things.
A child of God should visibly express joy and gratitude like a Beatitude and Doxology.
A child of God should be a visible Beatitude, for joy and happiness, and a living Doxology, for gratitude and adoration.
Virtues are most valuable when shown promptly, like a tree bearing fruit in season.
in its season; good men should aim to have seasonable virtues. For instance, a forgiving spirit is golden if it display itself in the moment when an injury is received; it is but silver if it show itself upon speedy reflection, and it is mere lead if it be manifested after a long time for cooling. The whole matter reminds us of the Warwickshire estimate of swarms of bees.
True Christian character is marked by the inward fragrance of grace, not mere outward beauty.
The dahlia would surely be a very empress among flowers if it had but perfume equal to its beauty; even the rose might need to look to her sovereignty. Florists have tried all their arts to scent this lovely child of autumn but in vain, no fragrance can be developed or produced; God has denied the boon, and human skill cannot impart it. The reflecting mind will be reminded of those admirable characters which are occasionally met with, in which everything of good repute and comely aspect may be seen, but true religion, that sweet ethereal perfume of grace, is wanting; if they had but love to God, what lovely beings they would be, the best of the saints would not excel them, and yet that fragrant grace they do not seek, and after every effort we may make for their conversion, they remain content without the one thing which is needful for their perfection. O that the Lord would impart to them the mystic sweetness of his grace by the Holy Spirit!
Christians should adorn God's doctrine by living out eternal life wherever they are.
When the famous Spartan warrior Brasidas complained that Sparta was so small a state, his mother replied to him, "My son, Sparta has fallen to your lot, and it is your duty to adorn it." Christian man, adorn the doctrine of God, your Savior, in all things. Wherever you are found, endeavor in that place to live out eternal life.
A poor Christian’s honesty impressed officials, proving true religion influences character.
A Chinese Christian ferryman, poor in money but rich in faith, one night ferried a man over the river. After throwing the cash for his fare into the bottom of the boat, the passenger departed hurriedly. The Christian went to pick up the money and found a magnificent pair of gold bracelets which the man had dropt. He tied up his boat and tried to find his passenger, but he was lost in the crowd. According to the Chinese law, he could keep the bracelets, but he did not feel comfortable in doing this. He went to the preacher and together they took the bracelets to the mandarin, and later it was found that a wealthy Chinese had been robbed and the man who dropt the bracelets was a thief. The owner received them very thankfully and gave the mandarin a small reward for the finder. The incident imprest the official very much. “I have never seen or heard anything like this,” he said. “Your religion must be a true religion and your God a loving God, thus to influence a poor man to give up wealth for conscience sake.” He praised the boatman, who went to his poor, damp, mud hut on the bank of the river with a contented mind.
The King’s personal aid in disaster shows a royal spirit of compassion and service.
The King of Italy displayed a truly royal spirit when he went to the earthquake region at Messina and Reggio, and personally assisted the sufferers. An account in the press says of this:
The King has made himself dear to all his subjects, especially to those in the earthquake zone, by his prompt and personal aid in times of disaster. This makes plausible a story told by his companions to-day, who say that as the royal pair and the crowd surrounding them made their way through the ruins a man pinned under a great block of stone and supposed to be dead raised his head, repeated the cries of acclaim and dropt back dead. (Text.)
Teaching civics includes fostering unity and cooperation among diverse groups.
It is said that one day recently a committee from a certain college investigated the Jacob Riis Settlement on the East Side of New York and made the criticism that civics were not taught. “I’ll show you how I teach them,” said Riis. “I noticed that the Jews and Irish did not get on together, so I had a straight talk with the leaders and told them they must do something. In a short time this notice appeared on the bulletin board: ‘Come to the Meeting of the Young American Social and Political Club, Dennis O’Sullivan, President; Abraham Browsky, Vice-President.’ That,” answered Riis, “is my way of teaching civics.” And it is a way we should not neglect to follow. (Text.)--_The American College._
True kindness includes thoughtful consideration for others' limitations and feelings.
This incident is from a source not identified:
A few days ago I was passing through a pretty, shady street, where some boys were playing at baseball. Among their number was a little lame fellow, seemingly about twelve years old--a pale, sickly-looking child, supported on two crutches, who evidently found much difficulty in walking, even with such assistance.
The lame boy wished to join the game, for he did not seem to see how his infirmity would be in his own way, and how much it would hinder the progress of such an active sport as baseball.
His companions, very good naturedly, tried to persuade him to stand at one side and let another take his place; and I was glad to notice that none of them hinted that he would be in the way, but that they all objected for fear he would hurt himself.
“Why, Jimmy,” said one of them at last, “you can’t run, you know.”
“Oh, hush!” said another--the tallest in the party; “never mind, I’ll run for him,” and he took his place by Jimmy’s side, prepared to act. “If you were like him,” he said, aside to the other boy, “you wouldn’t want to be told of it all the time.”
As I passed on I thought to myself, “That boy is a true gentleman.”
A consistent Christian life influences others and reveals the reality of faith.
See KINDNESS; SERVICE, INTERESTED.
CONSISTENCY
Those who walk with God are sure to exercise a powerful effect, conscious or unconscious, upon their worldly friends and neighbors. It is said of certain of the apostles that those who watched them “took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
A certain mill-owner was an infidel. He ran his mill seven days in the week, yet on Sundays he stopt it for a short time in the morning and again at noon. At length some one ventured to ask him why he acted thus. His reply was, “It is because I know that Deacon B. will pass at a certain time on his way to church, and again on his way back. I do not mind the rest of you, for you do not properly live what you profess, but I tell you I do mind him, and to run my mill while he is passing would make me feel bad here”--putting his hand upon his heart.
Theosophy in its mystic theories includes the concept that the spirit within each individual forms a visible aura or halo around him, which can be seen by many who possess the faculty of discernment. The spirit of a true Christian is apprehended by those about him far more accurately than might be imagined. For the spirit inevitably impels the actions of the life.
True Christian leadership is evidenced by a life reflecting Christ's authority and character.
Mr. A. J. Cassatt, the late president of the Pennsylvania Railway, was once making a quiet tour over one of the branches of the system, and wandered into an out-of-the-way switch-yard, where something one of the yardmen was doing did not meet with his approbation. He made some suggestion to the man, who asked: “Who are you that’s trying to teach me my business.” “I am an officer of the road,” replied Mr. Cassatt. “Let’s see your switch-key, then,” said the man suspiciously. Mr. Cassatt pulled from his hip pocket his key-ring, to which was attached the switch-key, which no railroad man in service is ever without. It was sufficient proof for the switchman, who then did as he was told.
If we are going to have any real leadership in dealing with the souls of men they must see in our conversation, in the tone of our character, in the spirit of our life, that we possess the “switch-key,” the evident presence of Christ. (Text.)
True gentility is shown by humble service, not by social status or appearance.
The story about Chief Justice Marshall has been told a good many times, but will bear telling again. As he was taking a morning walk, plainly drest, he encountered a young man who was standing at a market stall, evidently in great perplexity. A basket of moderate size was before him and he was saying to the market-man: “I wonder where all the niggers are this morning. I can’t find any one to carry my basket home.” The Chief Justice said: “Where do you live?” “No. 200 Avenue A,” was the reply. “Well,” he said, “as I am going your way, I will carry your basket for you.” They started, the judge carrying the basket. The young man noticed that the people they met all bowed very politely to his volunteer porter, and wondered who he could be. The basket was deposited at the door. Pay was offered, but refused. What did it mean? The next day, while walking with a friend, this young man saw his volunteer porter in a group of lawyers. He asked: “Who is that plain old fellow that they are all listening to?” “John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States.” “He carried my market-basket home for me yesterday; why do you think he did it?” “To teach you the difference between a real gentleman and a snob,” was the caustic reply. If some of these modern aristocrats who consider labor degrading had gone into the carpenter-shop of Joseph about A.D. 28 or 29, and seen a young man named Jesus at work there, they would have decided at once that he was no gentleman. If they had gone into the rooms of Aquilla at Corinth, a few years later, and seen Paul sewing on tents (“For he abode with them and wrought,” Acts 7:3), they would have despised him because his hands ministered to his necessities. They would not have gone into the synagog next Sabbath to hear that tent-maker preach. No, indeed! Now, can a standard of gentility that excludes Hon. John Marshall, Apostle Paul, and our adorable Savior be a true one?--OBADIAH OLDSCHOOL, _The Interior_.
An upright character is like a lighthouse guiding a storm-tossed world.
A lighthouse called the Pharos was built at Alexandria, Egypt. It ascended 550 feet in the air and sent its light over the sea for a distance of 100 miles. Its purpose was as a memorial to King Ptolemy.
An upright character is a lighthouse to this storm-tossed world. (Text.)
Living a Christlike life can silently lead others to faith and ministry.
An American teacher was employed in Japan in a government school, on the understanding that during school hours he should not utter a word on the subject of Christianity. The engagement was faithfully kept, and he lived before his students the Christ life, but never spoke of it to them. Not a word was said to influence the young men committed to his care, but so beautiful was his character, and so blameless his example, that forty of the students without his knowledge, met in a grove and signed a secret covenant to abandon idolatry. Twenty-five of them entered the Kyoto Christian Training School and some of them are now preaching the gospel which their teacher unconsciously commended.
Children learn true politeness and compassion from their parents' example at home.
“Women should not complain that they have to stand in street-cars and other public conveyances,” said an old gentleman. “Children learn common politeness at home, if they learn it at all.
“On the car that I just left was a handsomely drest woman and her son, a fine-looking boy of ten. The car was crowded when I got on and the little man and his mother sat near the door. As soon as I entered the boy made a motion to get up, but his mother held him down.
“‘Mama, the man is lame,’ I heard him whisper. ‘I don’t care if he is; you have paid for your seat and have a right to it,’ she answered him pettishly. The little fellow blushed at his mother’s remark.
“Now, that woman will probably read the riot act to the next man who refrains from giving her a seat in a crowded car, but what can she expect when she teaches her own son to be discourteous to the lame and the halt?” (Text.)
A strong character grows more beautiful and enduring through life's trials and service.
The Persian carpet may be meant for the feet, but few things are so full of lessons for head and heart and life. When choosing one the first thing to do is to make sure that the colors are fast, which is done by moistening a handkerchief and rubbing the carpet to see if the color comes off. Next, count the stitches. A good carpet contains 10,000 stitches to the square foot, while the better ones have as many as 40,000. The weaver does not see the pattern as he works, as the reverse side of the web is toward him. When a native buys a new carpet he immediately puts it down in the bazaars for all the traffic to pass over it; and the more muddy the shoes of the passers-by the greater will be the beauty of the carpet afterward, provided the colors are fast, as it acquires that beautiful silky gloss, so dear to the heart of the carpet-lover.
A man needs a character that will wear, whose colors are fast, and that will grow more beautiful when exposed for the world’s use.
True royalty is shown by humble Christian character, not by worldly status or wealth.
Where was the real royalty as between the two individuals mentioned in this historic incident?
It was arranged by his friends that Doctor Morrison should be presented to George IV that he might bestow a copy of the Chinese Bible upon His Majesty. Who would not have liked to witness the interview! On the throne sat “the handsomest prince in Christendom, the finest gentleman of Europe” (so his courtiers told him), but whom Thackeray dubs “a monstrous image of pride, vanity and weakness,” who had lived sixty-two years and done nothing but invent a shoe-buckle; who had spent hundreds of thousands, nay, millions, on mere sensual gratification. Fifty thousand dollars a year, we are told, it took to clothe that royal back. Before His Gracious Majesty stood the son of a farmhand, Robert Morrison, twenty years his junior, who had lived simply and given largely; who had found out a useful thing to do, and had worked at it so faithfully that he had raised himself to be the equal of the greatest man in the realm.
Robert bent the knee and presented the Chinese Bible to his sovereign, which gift His Imperial Highness was pleased to accept. But it is to be feared that His Imperial Highness’ morals were no more benefited by the Chinese than by the English version.
A changed life and integrity in business testify to genuine Christian faith.
Elder Chang, a Christian from the Scotch Presbyterian Mission in Manchuria, recently visited Pyeng Yang, Korea, and gives the following report of what he learned:
Being strangers, we naturally looked up some Chinese merchants, who, however, were not Christians. “Who are you?” they asked us. “Christians from Manchuria.” “Are there, then, Christians in Manchuria also?” asked the Chinese. “Oh, yes, many of them.” “Are they the same sort as the Christians here?” “We don’t know. What are the Christians here like?” “Good men. Good men.” “Why do you think so?” asked the Korean elder. “Oh, a man owed us an account five years ago of twenty dollars. He refused to acknowledge more than ten, and we had no redress. A few months ago he became a Christian and came and asked us to turn up that old account, and insisted on paying it up with interest for all these years.” Instances like this are happening all over Korea.--_Missionary Review of the World._
Unselfish example inspires others and reveals Christlike compassion and leadership.
The way in which an unselfish example can inspire a like desire in others is seen in this incident:
We two students roomed over on the north side of the building where the sun never entered, and we were often chilled to discomfort and we would not stand it longer. The bishop beamed upon us with benevolent surprize, and said:
“Why, young gentlemen, this will never do; you are not going to leave the school. True, our mission is slow in providing better accommodations, but they will come soon. Meanwhile, we are bound to do the best we can for our students. We expect you young men in the future to become the bishops and leaders in the Japanese churches. As for yourselves in particular, I’ll tell you what we can do. I have a good warm room on the sunny side of the school; now you young gentlemen come over and occupy my room and I myself will go over and take yours.” “Oh, no!” we both exclaimed; “we would not have you do that; we did not mean that.” “But that’s what I mean,” said the bishop; “that’s what will be done.” We again remonstrated and my fellow student, a Christian boy, began to weep with chagrin and brokenness of heart, and soon I found I, too, was weeping. I never before had seen anything like that and my heart broke under it. Why, sir, there was a light in that good bishop’s face similar to that which I think Saul saw on the way to Damascus.--H. C. MABIE, “Methods in Evangelism.”
True virtue often dwells in the poor and rejected, deserving sympathy and pursuit.
I believe that virtue shows quite as well in rags and patches as she does in purple and fine linen. I believe that she and every beautiful object in external nature claims some sympathy in the breast of the poorest man who breaks his scanty loaf of daily bread. I believe that she goes barefoot as well as shod. I believe that she dwells rather oftener in alleys and by-ways than she does in courts and palaces, and that it is good, and pleasant, and profitable to track her out, and follow her. I believe that to lay one’s hand upon some of those rejected ones whom the world has too long forgotten, and too often misused, and to say to the proudest and most thoughtless, “These creatures have the same elements and capacities of goodness as yourselves; they are molded in the same form, and made of the same clay; and tho ten times worse than you, may, in having retained anything of their original nature amid the trials and distresses of their condition, be really ten times better.” I believe that to do this is to pursue a worthy and not useless vocation.
— CHARLES DICKENS
Virtue based on will is genuine; virtue enforced by walls is not true goodness.
The most temperate crowd of men I know is in Sing Sing. There isn’t a single thief in the Raymond Street Jail. But pull down the walls of Sing Sing, and then you will discover the difference between a man whose virtue depends upon a wall and the man whose goodness depends upon a will.
— N. D. HILLIS
Humility, love, and faith transplanted from higher lives can flourish in humble hearts.
A rare plant from the King’s Gardens at Kew, England, has floated down the stream to a little village in Surrey. Its flowers may now be seen, to the great surprize of botanists, growing on the banks of this village stream in fine profusion. So the flowers of humility, love, and faith, transplanted in us from higher lives may grow in the humblest lives, surprizing all around by their sweet fragrance.
