Article May 6, 1939 Issue

Gentleness, a Divine Requisite

ELEANOR G. R. YOUNG

Many centuries have come and gone since David, so graciously rescued from the threatening hand of Saul, lifted his heart in thanksgiving to God for His care and protection. With worshipful praise, the erstwhile shepherd boy, who had won the love and confidence of the people, and in so doing had aroused the jealousy of the king, declared, as a climax to that soaring song of gratitude, "Thy gentleness hath made me great." Only in a moment of rare spiritual illumination could David have realized the mighty, stabilizing truth, that his ability to lead armies to victory, to win and hold the love of his people, was wholly derived from God.

Various definitions are given in the dictionary for the too frequently misunderstood term "gentleness." Possibly those which most clearly define this gracious, positive quality, and are the most acceptable synonyms for gentleness, are quietness, kindness, tenderness.

Long after David sang his adoring song of praise and reverent gratitude, long after he made the inspired declaration already quoted, the most convincing exponent of gentleness that the world has ever known, our beloved Master, Christ Jesus, made a still clearer statement, which explained beyond question how definitely all good is derived from God. Jesus announced to those wondering men and women who had seen him perform his many marvelous healing works, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do;" and again, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things."

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