prayed for his murderers, "Father, forgive them!" With this standard of moral excellence before our eyes -with such a perfect example to copy, let us endeavour, in humble dependence upon the Spirit of God— in earnest pleadings at the throne of grace—and in the exercise of that faith which purifies the heart, "in all things to shew ourselves a pattern of good works," Titus ii. 7. Its importance is further indicated,

3. From the blessings with which it is accompanied. What happiness in the family circle where meekness and piety are blended. "Religion," says one writer, "is there seen; perhaps in its beauty, rather than its majesty; if not in its grandest outlines, in its nicest pencillings and softest delineations; if not the throne, the still royal footstool. For though it well knows how to contend, it better loves repose. Like the petrel, it can breast the storm, but more truly resembles the halcyon, brooding in her calm. Here it is real. They who are around us with a quick-sighted perception feel it genuine. They behold it infusing itself into all the little acts of life, and filling up the scene. It is the domestic atmosphere which supports each breath, speeds each pulse, transmits each sound,-the soft transparence of every smile and tear,-the life of all !"

Many and cheering are the promises to the meek; and great is the happiness they derive from them. Their blessedness consists in satisfaction. "The meek shall eat, and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him," Ps. xxii. 26. Divine guidance is promised to them. "The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way," Ps. xxv. 9. While passing through this desert land and waste-howling wilderness, we are surrounded by dangers, and beset with snares therefore we need an efficient guide, or we may err in our course, and become bewildered in our pursuits. But the Lord will guide the judgment; and if we ac

knowledge him, he will direct our paths. Peace and joy are also promised to them. They "shall increase their joy in the Lord, and "delight themselves in the abundance of peace.' "The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground." Their blessedness consists also in their present possessions. The Saviour, in his Sermon on the Mount, said, "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth." Not that they are to be affluent, and owners of large estates; but they shall enjoy the blessings of this life. Many possess wealth in abundance, but do not enjoy it; being of a discontented and insatiable turn of mind, they are far from being happy.

"True happiness is not the growth of earth,
The search is useless if you seek it there;

'Tis an exotic of celestial birth,

And only blossoms in celestial air."

The meek possess happiness to which irreligious persons are total strangers; they inherit the kingdom of grace on earth, and will eventually possess the kingdom of glory in heaven. "Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off,” Isa. xxxiii. 17. The righteous shall take possession of the kingdom of heaven, and inherit it for ever.

Having viewed meekness as a christian virtue, and the arguments by which its importance is indicated, we must now consider,

III. THE EXEMPLIFICATION OF ITS PRINCIPLES AS A DUTY.

We must,

1. Ascertain whether we possess this virtue. The mariner ascertains his course on the deep by observing the compass, and, where dangers are concealed, by consulting the chart. The astronomer fixes the period of an eclipse of the sun or the moon by the aid of figures.

Science enables the geologist to determine the situation of the minerals which lie embedded under the crust of the earth. The chemist ascertains the various particles composing a great fluid mass by separating them from each other; he can resolve compound substances into their original elements. A knowledge of geography enables us to describe the position and general features of the earth. And the christian learns from the Bible what are his duties, privileges, and responsibilities; as well as being furnished with innumerable proofs of the wisdom, love, and goodness of God.

In order to ascertain whether we possess meekness of spirit, self-examination is necessary. "Examine yourWe may

selves," is a duty devolving upon every one. respect christian principles, and acknowledge their importance, but this will avail nothing unless those principles are reduced to practice. "Examine yourselves," not merely in a physical and intellectual, but also in a moral, point of view. The region of the heart must be penetrated and surveyed; the depth of feeling must be sounded, the actions must be investigated, and your true position determined. Examine your faith, conversion, temper, love, zeal, spiritual progress, title, and motives. Do not miscaculate your real condition; form not a false estimate of your true character; be faithful with yourselves; know the foundation on which you stand. "Prove yourselves." Prove that you are the children of God by obedience to your Heavenly Parent; prove your conduct by the word of God,-see if it be such as becometh the gospel. If you do not furnish the evidence requisite to justify your claim to religion, you are not answering the purpose for which you were created, nor the will of the Saviour revealed in his deep humiliation and death on the tree. The mind of man is in constant activity, plying its originative and descriptive powers; and all its efforts and exercises will have a decisive bear

ing upon the eternal destiny of the soul. Your present and future happiness consists in the recognition and observance of those duties enjoined upon you; but if they are neglected, nothing can prevent you from sinking into everlasting perdition. In order to exemplify this christian virtue there must be,

2 The exercise of moral courage and self-possession. The life of a christian is a perpetual warfare. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places," Eph. vi. 12. On this verse Wesley remarks"This single passage seems to contain the whole scriptural doctrine concerning evil angels. I apprehend the plain meaning of it, literally translated, is this: 'Our wrestling'-the wrestling of real christians, is not only, or chiefly, 'against flesh and blood'-weak men, or fleshly appetites and passions; but against principalities, against powers'-the mighty princes of all the infernal regions, with their combined forces-and great is their power, as is also the power of the legions they command; 'against the rulers of the world:' (this is the literal meaning of the word.)

Perhaps these principalities and powers remain chiefly in the citadel of their kingdom. But there are other evil spirits that range abroad, to whom the provinces of the world are committed :- "of the darkness"-chiefly the spiritual darkness; "of this age"-which prevails during the present state of things; "against wicked spirits"-eminently such, who mortally hate, and continually oppose holiness, and labour to infuse unbelief, pride, evil desire, malice, anger, hatred, envy, or revenge ;—“ in heavenly places,"—which were once their abode, and which they still aspire after.'"

The world, the flesh, and satan are the enemies with which the christian has to contend; they aim at the

destruction of the fruit of the Spirit. It is, therefore, necessary that he should always assume the attitude of defiance, and firmly resist every satanic invasion. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things." Before the hero gathers his laurels, he must engage in the conflict, and obtain the victory. So must the soldier of the cross wage war, and overcome his antagonists, before the unfading diadem shall encircle his brow, and the shouts of triumph are heard. Let the prospect and certainty of victory stimulate you in the spiritual warfare. Your object is not military glory, or worldly honours; but an encounter with the infernal chieftain who would fain prevent your entrance into the kingdom of heaven. To be successful in this enterprise you must be clothed with the Divine panoply. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," Eph. vi. 13-17. Besides the exercise of moral courage and self-possession, there must be,

3. A total and constant dependence on Christ for help. The Saviour hath said, "Without me ye can do nothing," John xv. 5. There may be courage and selfpossession, but there must also be a full reliance on Him who is mighty to save, that we may overcome our enemies, and surmount the difficulties that surround us. Our safety depends on our union to Christ, and our dependence on him for help in times of need. "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength," Isa. xl. 29.