Page 180 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

READING LESSONS. 179
distinguished, and esteemed, not for what he is, but r something r superior.
2. :Modesty, then, being humility reduced to prac­ tice, it can have no llowship with pride; nor can there be such a thing as a just pride. Pride can never be just, since it can never be either a support to human weakness, or a consolation in adversity. No; these admirable uits spring om humility alone; it is humility that shields us against our weakness, by reminding us of its existence every moment; it is humility that makes us watch and pray to Him who ordains and imparts virtue; it is "humility that makes us lift up our eyes unto the hills whence cometh our help." And in adversity, consolations are reserved r the humble soul, that acknowledges herself worthy to su er, and els a sense of joy arising om submission to the Divine
will. Looking at her ults, adversity appears like the retribution of a God that will pardon, and not like the stroke of a blind power; she increases in dignity and purity, because every pain su ered with resignation, cancels some of the spots that rendered her less ir; and what is more-she grows to·love adversity itself, because it renders her " con rmed to the image of the Son of God;" and, instead of abandoning herself to vain and empty complaints, she returns thanks amid circumstances under which, if she were left to herself, she would utter nought but the lamentation of despair or the cry of revolt. But as r· pride; when God shall have humbled the oud man, as one stricken and wounded, will pride be any healing balsam r him? To what can it serve him in the midst of adversities, but to ll him with hatred r them as u ust; to excite in his breast a restless and pain l comparison between