Article August 1, 1936 Issue

Signs of the Times

Topic: Humility and Service

with contributions from Helen Keller, F. Townley Lord, Frank M. Selover

[From the Norwich Mercury, Norfolk, England]

Christian humility is a totally different thing from the false humility which shows itself in infirmity of purpose and weakness of will. Christ [Jesus], when he declared that the humble should be exalted, was not exhorting people to lose confidence in themselves. He was not asking them to distrust the possibilities which were inherent in them.

Yet he was humble. He took upon himself the form of a servant. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Herein he shows us the difference between false humility and Christian humility. False humility holds us back, preventing us from doing what otherwise we might have accomplished. Christian humility drives us forward, encouraging us to acts of service which otherwise we might never have attempted. False humility acts as an inhibition; Christian humility acts as an inspiration. The ultra-modern thinkers are right so far as the inhibition is concerned. But Christ [Jesus] is also right. His ideal of humility is as valid and as necessary today as it was in the days of our grandfathers and grandmothers.

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