The Rev. James Reid, D. D. British Weekly, London, England

Of all the qualities of real manhood, humility stands first in the list with Christ. It is the gateway to everything else. The humble man is the man who can learn. He is the man who is able to love. He is the man who truly worships. ...

Humility does not mean refusing to acknowledge the gifts we have. That is only mock humility, a subtler form of pride. It does mean giving the credit for our good deeds or our best impulses where it is due, and that is to God. We talk of a man's gifts. But, as Dr. John Baillie says, gifts are things given. We speak of powers of mind and heart as endowments, but endowments are things conferred. ...

Why did Christ [Jesus] call this condition [humility] blessed? It is, for one thing, the only condition of peace. It delivers us from all bondage to what others think of us. Their criticism does not wound us. We know ourselves too well for that. The feeling of inferiority is lifted, for we know that all we can ever be is of His grace, and that is ours to the full. We cease to care about the applause of men, for the real glory of whatever good we do is all God's work in us and through us. Set free from ourselves we can see and value others. The worst barrier to real fellowship is gone, for the thing that isolates us is pride.

Best of all, our eyes are opened more and more to the wonder of God's love and grace, for nothing veils our eyes like pride. Only as we see Him are we able to reflect Him.

"The Window Cleaner" The Evening News, Portsmouth Hampshire, England

I am never tired of reminding myself that the Son of God and Master of men based all his teaching on the supposition that all who wished to enter his kingdom must enter it with a childlike heart. ...

According to Jesus Christ, a well-conditioned child illustrates better than anything else on earth the distinctive feature of the Christian character. ... He has no memory for injuries and no room in his heart for grudges. He has no previous opinions and is not ashamed to confess his ignorance. ... He is full of trust. His joy is as natural as his smile. ... The Master of men said that he could and would build his kingdom on such foundations. The new society which he came to form was to be a fellowship of love and good humor, of honesty and straightforwardness, of humility and sincerity.

God forbid that we should ever say to [children]: "Unless you be converted and become grownup like us you cannot enter the kingdom of happiness." Rather let us pray for a childlike trust as we hear the Master's voice say to us, "'Except ye be converted, and become as little children,' you cannot enter my kingdom of peace and joy and love."

Colonist Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

"Put on ... humbleness of mind ... forbearing one another," said St. Paul to the Colossians, in enjoining them to live in peace and charity with their fellow men. The apostle was speaking not of the humility of abasement, but of the humbleness of spirit that derives from true modesty.

It is this quality that the world needs in abundance today. Humility and charity of mind are the antidotes of intolerance. ...

It was St. Peter, another great apostle, who declared (I Pet. 5:5), "Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."

In these words lies man's promise of peace on earth in fellowship with his fellow man.

The Argonaut San Francisco, California

Chivalry, restraint, decorum must again be respected, if we would rejoice in our day; without them we have no assurance that there will be a future. In stagnation, suspicion, and slander we cannot enjoy our time. The acrimonious tongue and the malicious pen are out of date. ...

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you is a hard doctrine for the comfortable to obey. They fear they would have to give up too much, because they do not believe that if they seek first the things of the spirit all else will be added unto them. ...

The old era has come to an end. ... What will the new era be? A multiplication of total destruction? What can prevent an age of malice? Good will only! Good will beginning in personal relations and spreading by example through this nation and throughout the world.

Dr. Fernando H. Groom as quoted in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio

"It is love that can provide the cure for our present ills," Dr. Groom said. "And it is the opposite of love that is the cause of these ills. ...

"People who cherish and nurture old wrongs and grievances are simply harboring poison that destroys their souls. We must bring to bear the healing force of love to cleanse our souls from bitterness.

"Only as we love we live, and only as we love are we able to convince the world that there is any reality in our religion."

Harry Taylor Oregon City Enterprise, Oregon

Hasty action quite often robs us of the victory we crave. Most great victories are victories of the spirit, and many a time it takes the greatest spiritual courage to just wait.

So my word of cheer to you ... is that the victory will be yours if you have patience. Don't rush in and do your part before the Almighty is ready to do His.

Robert Quillen The Atlanta Constitution, Georgia

One of the most praiseworthy of all virtues is generosity—not the kind of generosity that prompts people to give away things or money they don't need, but generosity of mind and spirit. ...

The ungenerous are made miserable by their prejudice against every group or person who seems a competitor or rival. ...

People who have generous hearts are almost invariably self-respecting and sure of themselves. They are not arrogant or vain or complacently proud. They are simply content. ... Life seems good to them; they don't make comparisons; and it doesn't occur to them that they have any reason to be envious or jealous.

They have their reward, for they are happy people. They are easy to like, for they speak no ill, and they sincerely rejoice in the good fortune of others. That is the test and proof of a generous heart. If you can be glad when others succeed, there is no smallness in you.

Arthur Hedley The Evangelical Christian Toronto, Ontario, Canada

We need in these days when the Christian life and the service of Christ become increasingly difficult, to pray especially for the grace of patience. It is so easy to become discouraged, irritable, impatient, and to wonder if anything is worth while.

Impatience begets hopelessness, driving men alternately to ill-considered activity or deadening apathy. Lack of patience is responsible for personal ineffectiveness in life and service. More enterprises and noble causes are ruined through lack of patience than through lack of skill, lack of knowledge, or lack of energy.

When we lose patience we lose faith in God, in ourselves, and in our fellows. To maintain a sweet temper, a calm patience in a time of stress and strain, and to persevere in the face of failure and discouragement is a great thing, and well-pleasing in the sight of God.