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The Building Blocks of Noble Characters, October 19
Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does
not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes
all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:5-7
, R.S.V.
Pleasant, kind, and well-bred Christians will have an influence for God and
His truth; it cannot be otherwise. The light borrowed from Heaven will shed its
brightening rays through them to the pathway of others, leading them to exclaim.
“O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man whose strength is in thee.”
The words we speak, our daily deportment, are the fruit growing upon the
tree. If the fruit is sour and unpalatable, the rootlets of that tree are not drawing
nourishment from a pure source. If our characters are meek and lowly, if our
affections are in harmony with our Saviour, we will show that our life is hid with
Christ in God, and we leave behind us a bright track. Our life will be in such
marked contrast to that of unbelievers, that our associates will discern that we
have been with Jesus and learned of Him.
The Christian need not become a recluse; but while necessarily associating with
the world, he will not be of the world. Christian politeness should be cultivated,
and daily put in practice. That unkind word should be left unspoken; that selfish
disregard of the happiness of others should give place to thoughtful sympathy.
True courtesy, blended with truth and justice, will make the life not only useful,
but beautiful and fragrant with love and good works....
Virtue, honesty, kindness, and faithful integrity make noble characters; those
who possess these characteristics will win esteem, even of unbelievers, and their
influence in the church will be very precious. We are required to be right in
important matters; but faithfulness in little things will fit us for higher positions of
trust.
On the part of many, there is a great lack of true courtesy. Much is said of the
improvements that have been made since the days of the patriarchs; but those living
in that age could boast of a higher state of refinement, and of more true courtesy
of manners, than are possessed by the people in this age of boasted enlightenment.
Integrity, justice, and Christian kindness, blended, make a beautiful combination.
Courtesy is one of the graces of the Spirit. It is an attribute of heaven.
The angels never fly into a passion, never are envious, selfish, and jealous. No
harsh or unkind words escape their lips. And if we are to be the companions of
angels, we too must be refined and courteous.... A Christian will cultivate that
charity that is not easily provoked, that suffereth long and is kind, that hopeth all
things, endureth all things.—
The Signs of the Times, November 11, 1886
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