dom forthwith leaves him, and when a prophet succumbs to it, his prophetic gift departs from him. For even a Moses, overpowered by anger, broke the tables of the Covenant that he had received from God, and an Elisha had to be soothed with the music of the harp before he could prophesy. By anger the great are degraded, and it may cause the pious to manifest contempt for the Deity. And with the same deep earnestness as the patriarch showed a Teacher says: "He that gives way to anger is governed by hell and all its terrors." Koheleth says: "Anger rests in the bosom of fools; " and the poet of Job proclaims: "Anger causes the death of fools." Sirach teaches: "A furious man cannot be justified, for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction." "To those that err in judgment, not in will, ORD, sure Thy countenance is here, Whatever of my inward sphere Remains to tell of angry storms, Oh, let it melt away, and leave No clouds to darken life's calm eve. G. G. XX. Seal Up the Angry Lips. He that hath no rule over his own heart is like a city that is broken down and without walls.-Proverbs xxv. 28. Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go, lest thou learn his way and get a snare to thy soul.—Proverbs xxii. 24, 25. JF F anger arise in thy breast, instantly seal up thy lips, and let it not go forth: for, like a fire when it wants vent, it will suppress itself. It is good in a fever to have a tender and smooth tongue; but it is better that it be so in anger: for if it be rough and distempered, there it is an ill sign, but here it is an ill cause. Angry passion is like a fire, and angry words are like breath to fan them; together they are like steel and flint, sending out fire by mutual collision. R OEFINE and purge our earthly parts, But O, inflame and fire our hearts, Chase from our minds the tempting foe, And lest our feet should step astray, Make us eternal truths receive, JEREMY TAYLOR. XXI. The God-Loving. And they that love the Lord shall be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.-Judges v. 31. HIS is the description, says the Talmud, of those that suffer insult, and do not return it, and bear injuries without venging themselves; also of those that follow the law from the love thereof, and whom no suffering can make doubt the wisdom and goodness of God. For there follows in the text: "And the land had peace for forty years." This is a symbol of the internal peace that is the portion of the God-fearing man; because he restrains the storms of passions within him; his moral strength is like the glory of the sun, which no earthly changes can affect. Similar in spirit is the maxim: Range thyself always with the persecuted, never with the persecutor; for behold! none among birds are more persecuted than the doves, and yet these does the Law demand so largely for altar gifts. Likewise the Law ordained that the altar should be built of unhewn stones. "If thy iron hath touched it, then hast thou defiled it." Of iron is forged the sword; the deadly weapon brings strife and death and destruction to men. But the altar's purpose is to foster peace between man and his neighbor, as well as between man and his heavenly Father. AUGUST WUENSCHE, After the Talmud. LAD with Thy light, and glowing with Thy love, As most to show the glory of that source By whom her strength, her hope, her life are given. XXII. Lowliness Elevates. The meek will He guide in judgment, the lowly will He show His way.-Psalm xxv. 9. The meek shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the lowly amongst men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.-Isaiah xxix. 19. [INE steps of morality must man have ascended ere he can reach the tenth, Humility. Then only can he shew the highest reverence to God; then only can he receive revelations. When Humility goes hand in hand with Mercy and Charity, it is the greatest ornament of the Israelite. It is a faithful companion by his side, that helps him to bear with patience the severest trials. As long as the Temple stood, he that brought a burnt offering received his reward therefor. But he that is of the true humble spirit is considered in Holy Writ as one who has bought all the prescribed offerings. Yea, they that bow down in humility, them will God lift up; and they that are proud, them will God humble; and he that runs after distinctions shall see them flee from him. Be not as the upper lintel, so high that but few can reach it; nor as the side post, against which men injure themselves; be rather like the threshold, lying low indeed, but firm and secure, even if the whole house fall down. 66 Hillel's favorite maxim was, 'My humility is my greatness, and my greatness is my humility." Seat thyself lower in the assembly than is thy right, and wait until thou art called; then go up but no higher than to thy rightful place. It is better to hear: come up, come up! than: go down, go down! XXIII. Who Also Serve. Thou wilt light my candle, the Lord, my God, will enlighten my darkness.-Psalm xviii. 28. When I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent |