[Oct. 31st, 1852.]
It is said that the heathen have no word for humble in the religious sense. It is not “humilis,” nor “modestus,” nor , nor . In Hebrew, means to suffer; , suffering, and hence , poor, humble.
I. The Christian graces are inseparable. One cannot exist without the other. There cannot be faith without hope, or repentance without love, or love without meekness. This finds its analogy in physical life. Respiration, arterial action, digestion, cannot be conducted independently of one another. Though this is true, yet one grace may be more prominent than others.
II. The graces are in themselves distinct. That is, the state of mind which they express is not simple, but complex, various graces entering into its composition. Thus hope includes faith and desire and love; faith includes love, and love includes faith; repentance includes faith and love, etc.
III. Humility is not a separate grace. It is that state of mind which arises from a proper appreciation of the truth in regard to ourselves. 1. A due appreciation of our insignificance as creatures. In this sense it is opposed to self-importance, to self-reliance, to pride of intellect. 2. A due appreciation of ourselves as sinners, including a sense of guilt and of pollution. It is opposed, therefore, to self-righteousness and to self-complacency. 3. A due appreciation of our weakness.
Hence, a sense of inability for self-conversion, for sanctification, for usefulness. IV. Manifestations. 1. A disposition to appreciate others, or not to despise those around us. 2. Not to seek after honor or praise. 3. Not to be impatient under contempt. 4. Not to refuse to associate with the lowly. 5. Not unwilling to be least, and to obey. V. Benefits. Without it there is no religion, no communion with God, no inward peace, no outward power. VI. Means. 1. Comparison of ourselves with God and his law. 2. Contemplation of our guilt, of our pollution, and of our uselessness.
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