The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-01-22

into which man Is pmnyNl Humility
Is not humiliation, and To humiliate i
no, 10 make humble. 10 humllate Is
more to degrade, but true humility Is
not a degradation, An ofllcer in the
army may ee Aumilia,ed for an offence
By hcing degraded. but that will not
make him truly humble, Men Try TO
humiliate one another, but that does
not make them humble,
True humility is perfect knowledge
Of self, light estimation ot ones own
power. ami a conscientious dealing with
men accordingly,
"SocrateS the Grecian philosopher,
became famous not only for SAYING
Gnothi scaf,ou,' but because he laid
the knowledge OF self as foundation
and starting point In lis philosophy, \
thorough self knowledge il also the
starting point in true religion. The hu'
mility Of which We speak is ncees'
sary consequence of such knowledge'
For il will reveal TO US the condition
of our heart and ths depnvity OF onr
nature. Without this knowledge man
becomes proud and self righteous lie
will need no Savior but himself aud his
own good works. You very frequently
hear men say. my religion Is do unto
others as You would have Others do
unto YOU snd do the very best can.
II can't yet to heaven ON that there
is no Just heaven. But they forget that
they have then only done their duties
A. men toward men and have done moth.
ing to merit heaven. The pearly gates
Of heaven will be shut firm against
every soul trusting in the merits OF the
works OF men for cntrence. Only to
the humble soul who believes and trusts
in the merits OF the Savior will find
those gates ajar.
Herein lies the greatness OF mumil'
ity. that through humility only can men
bow before the throne OF grace and
mercy and receive forgiveness of sin
the righteousness Of Christ and his sal
walton full and free. The proud in
spirit win never bow before the will OF
another. not even before the will of the
Almighty; they viii never submit to a
plan OF salvation once for all outlined
hy wise and loving Providence, but
will contriye one OF their own in har'
u,ony with their taste and habit. oh.
proud man. who art thou. that thou
,houldest not bow before thy Creator
and God and obey his will' Who art
thou. that thou wilt not bend low to
| receive his mercy. o. proud man, curb
thy will end bend thy spirit low, be-
fore thy Saviour and God.
"He who humbles himself before God
him will God raise TO glory and honor
In such humility is therefore greatness.
Look at the Pharisee and the Publican
in the temple worshiping. who was the
greater before God' The man who hows
his head in worship AMI prayer Is in.
initely greater than he who in pride
deiies the Supreme. The Centurian ac.
knowIedged that he was not worthy TO
receive Christ Not that he was not as
good as the average man Of his day,
but he had undoubtedly heard Of his
teachings and miracles aud seen in these
something more than human. Before
the divine greatness of Christ he
humbles himself and the confession Is,
4 am not worthy Rut in that very
confession he proved himself to be
greater than the average. Humility Is
virtue we should all try TO acquire
Tor Il adorns man Whether he otherwise
i. clothed IN rag- or purple. DO you
know tha. there must be harmony in
everything in order that there might be
4 pleasing effect. SO there should be
harmony N our relation to God and
where this exists there j. the most
beautiful effect, happiness. The great
est conceivable happiness on earth Il
where man Is in harmony in his rela
ton to God, in his relation 10 fellow
man. and With his surroundings, As
note in the great instrument OF crea
tion you mnst have your place. Th'
treble Glen Is yours. humility before
God, equality with man, but not will
the brute.