"Blessed are the meek — for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5
Meekness is not a popular quality. The world calls it a cowardly spirit — which leads a man . . .
to remain quiet under insult,
to endure a wrong without resentment,
to be treated unkindly —
and then to give kindness in return.
Men of the world say that this disposition is unmanly, that it shows weakness, cowardice, a lack of courage.
So it might be, if we went to the world for our model of manliness. But we have a truer, a diviner example for our pattern of manliness, than any that this world has produced. Jesus Christ was the only perfect man that ever lived on the earth, and meekness was one of the noblest qualities of His character. He was . . .
gentle in disposition,
not easily provoked,
patient under wrong,
silent under reproach.
"When they hurled their insults at Him — He did not retaliate; when He suffered — He made no threats." Possessing all power — He never lifted a finger to avenge a personal injury. He answered all man's wrath — with tender love. On his cross, when His blood was flowing — He prayed for His murderers!
Meekness is then no cowardly spirit, since in Jesus it shone so luminously. It is divine . . .
to forgive those who have wronged us,
to bear long with those who treat us ill,
to give the soft answer which turns away wrath,
to bathe the hand that smites — in the fragrance of love,
to always render blessing for cursing, good for evil.
The lesson is hard to learn, for it is directly against proud human nature. We can learn it only as our lives are transformed into the divine image, only as Christ enters into our hearts and dwells there. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart" Matthew 11:29
This beatitude shows, too, that meekness is not an impoverishing grace. The meek shall inherit the earth. Those who commit their lives to God, who judges righteously, and leave to him the adjustment of the inequalities of human treatment received by them — do not suffer in the end.
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.