Preserve Gentleness

February 1.

Now the God of patience and consolation
grant you to be like-minded one toward
another, according to Christ Jesus.

ROMANS 15, verse 5.


Let patience have her perfect work.

JAMES 1, verse 4.


Make me patient, kind, and gentle,
Day by day;
Teach me how to live more nearly
As I pray.

SHARPE'S MAGAZINE.


The exercise of patience involves a continual practice
of the presence of God; for we may be come upon
at any moment for an almost heroic display of
good temper, and it is a short road to unselfishness,
for nothing is left to self; all that seems to belong
most intimately to self, to be self's private property,
such as time, home, and rest, are invaded by these
continual trials of patience.
The family is full of such opportunities.

F. W. FABER.


Only as we know what it is to cherish love
when sore at some unkindness, to overmaster
ourselves when under provocation, to preserve
gentleness during trial and unmerited wrong,
--only then can we know in any degree the
"manner of spirit" that was in Christ.

T. T. CARTER.