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Show -r THE PROUD MAN. The proud man sees no light but that which is pjlf-sprung. Although wholly dependent, he never ceases to assert his independence. Ridiculous for his folly, he never appreciates his emptiness. "Pride," says Louis of Grenada, "is a supreme poverty of soul that thinks itself rich in nakedness ami believes it is in light when surrounded by darknes.s. Drunk with self-admiration and self importance, he cannot form a f iber conception of life, and to . do right is to pay him homage."' j Pride is an upsetting inn; its promptings prompt-ings arc to destroy. It is unamiable; the proud man may attract admiration, but even love T)es not melt his frozen, self -worshiping soul. Pride grows with the decrease of other sins, and thrives by their decay. The devil is' subtle; he will make a man proud of hhi very' graces; proud that he is not proud. This arises from the nature of pride, which produces folly. By humanity a man overcomes this deadly sin. and the rewaid of victory in this spiritual combat com-bat is God's grace, for IPs grace He gives to the humble, and the proud He rejects. To be humble would seem, for creatures made of clay, to be natural; to the state of humility a man belongs. True, he is made in the foul like to God; but all that he is and all that he will be is the gift of God. Not to us, then, but to God let the glory be given. Rejoice a man should at his glorious destiny, but his joy should be alloyed by the glorious reflection that he must not indulge in it inordinately, that is by self-glorification. The admission of Uriah Heap will not suffice; humility must be felt. We must be sincerely impressed with the notion that we are Che lowliest of men. This is the humility of the Saints, the living sentiment of utter unworldliness. To attain, this virtue, which is the groundwork of perfection, per-fection, we must be meek, never giving way to uncharitablenes'j of speech, mild, assiduous in cultivating gentleness gentle-ness of disposition, patient, not yielding yield-ing to the uprising of anger, and forgiving, for-giving, letting pass the trespasses of a brother. The. labor is hard, but the crown will be grand the crown of peace. How often have the words of wisilom been repeated, that in silence and hope strength is found. In such a discipline will humanity be found, and then for destruction we shall have edification. |