AN OLD BOOK IN AN UPPER ROOM

While in the home of Morris and Amber Yadon in Kansas City recently, while conducting studies with the 59th and Kenwood Church of Christ, I had the scintillating pleasure of looking through several boxes of old books, some of which were more than three centuries old. Morris’ father had nursed them for a lifetime and now it is the son’s turn to enjoy them and/or dispose of them. The cache includes such rarities as the original publication of Clarke’s Commentary, which was in 60 installments in paperback, and the impressive three-volume Prideaux’s Connections, as well as an old Latin Bible that dates back to the 16th century.

But the book that interested me as much as any other was a tiny volume in excellent condition entitled A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit, by the noted Matthew Henry. The book has no date, but since Henry was born in Broad Oak, England in 1662, he must have authored this book about 1710. The title page includes 1 Peter 3:4: “A meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” He points out in the book that it must be for man’s good for him to do and to be that which is highly esteemed by God. The book rings with such sweetness of spirit that I was eager to share it with any who would listen.

I read from it to Amber as we had time. The next morning the Yadons and I joined Bob and Mary Cline. Since it was a Saturday we could spend the morning together, and it gave me a chance to visit with the two elders of the congregation. Once Mary had fed us hot cakes and sausage, I conducted a devotional for the five of us, reading still more and at some length of Matthew Henry’s Meekness. Since I was eager to share it even more, Morris allowed me to bring it home with me. Already I have shared it with Ouida, who is at this moment in bed with a cold, and now I am passing some of its gems along to thousands of others through this journal. Matthew Henry would never have dreamed that his little book, but one copy of it, would be behaving in such a way 250 years later. It just shows that what one writes may die and rise again, to haunt or to bless, as the case may be.

Matthew Henry would be especially pleased to be heard by free and eager people, for the England of his early years did not allow for such liberty. His father was a dissenting minister, critical of the established church, and consequently was not allowed to enter his own pulpit. But he trained his children in morning and evening devotionals, and he instilled in them a deep reverence for the Bible. Matthew entered upon a study of law since it was unlikely that dissenters would be able to be ministers. But he eventually became a preacher in the Presbyterian Church, and he filled each Lord’s day with intensive study of the scriptures for his people, including lessons from both Testaments. He eventually produced a commentary on the entire Bible, which has always been considered inspirational and devotional as well as scholarly.

I did not know that he had authored this little volume on meekness until I came upon it. It is obvious from reading it that he considered this virtue basic to Christian character. One chapter is on the “Want of Meekness Lamented” in which he notes that many believers who are so strict and sober about many things often lack the virtue of a meek and quiet spirit. Zeph. 2:3 impressed him: “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth. . . seek meekness.” Those who are meek are to seek still more meekness. He says we are to ask God to cultivate the meek and quiet spirit within us. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. He points also to 1 Tim. 6:11 which says that we are to follow after meekness, and Col. 3:12 that tells us to put on meekness, as well as to Tit. 3:2 that speaks of showing “all meekness unto all men.” He makes a point of Paul writing all meekness.

He extols meekness as “the sweetest and surest peace,” for he who is master of his own passions is greater than he who rules a nation. Our worst enemies are those within our own bosoms that “war against the soul.” He associates meekness with quietness, and I like the metaphors he uses: we are to be quiet “as the air is quiet from the winds,” and “as the sea is quiet from waves,” and “as the land is quiet from war.” But the best metaphor comes from the Psalmist: “I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother, my soul is even as a weaned child.

It is Henry’s rules of direction for the meek and quiet spirit that I consider especially helpful. He sees the fruit of the, Spirit like links in a chain, where each one contributes to the strength of the others, and so many virtues strengthen meekness of soul. So he comes up with several rules:

1. Withdraw your affections from this world.

The more the world is crucified to us, the more our corrupt passions will be crucified in us. If we would keep calm and quiet, we must by faith live above the stormy region. We must also mortify the desire of the applause of men as inconsistent with our true happiness.

2. Be often repenting of your sinful passions and renewing your covenants against them.

If we are truly penitent, we cannot but live a quiet life. If such passions as rash anger were more distasteful to us, we would not so easily relapse into it. Resolution to overcome our sins would go far in conquering the most rugged nature and bearing the greatest provocation. When we are loud, rude, impatient or rash we should repent and firmly resolve, through the strength and grace of Jesus, to be more mild and gentle in the future.

3. Keep out of the way of provocation.

This is what “Lead us not into temptation” means. We are to watch and avoid situations in which we are likely to be provoked and thus behave rudely. Those are in a bad way who seek out a quarrel or dig up mischief. Meek and quiet people will not fish for provocation, and when it appears they will see it as though they saw it not. Those who would not be angry must wink at that which would stir up anger.

4. Learn to pause.

A good rule: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing” (Ecc. 5:2). The Bible also says that the discretion of a man defers his anger. If we are tempted to be angry, he advises that we might pause to say the Lord’s Prayer, for things might be different by the time we repeat “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” He likes the rule “Think twice before you speak once.”

5. Pray to God by his Spirit to work in you this excellent grace.

“Lord, keep me quiet now!” is a prayer that should often be on our lips. We complain of noisy and brutal people around us, but we must rather complain of the unquiet spirit within ourselves.

6. Be often examining your growth in this grace.

As you are provoked from day to day do you find that you are gaining command over your passions? Are your resentments less keen than before? Are you less easily offended? Is the little kingdom of your mind more quiet than it has been? Each night we should examine ourselves as to whether we have had a quiet day. Let conscience keep up a grand inquest in the soul.

7. Delight in the company of meek and quiet persons.

We should seek fellowship with the meek and quiet, and “Make no friendship with an angry man lest thou learn his ways.” Observe in others how sweet and amiable meekness is and seek to be like them. Company is assimilating and we are apt insensibly to grow like those with whom we associate, especially the bosom friendships. The wolf is no companion for the lamb until he learns not to hurt and destroy.

8. Study the cross of the Lord Jesus.

We shall grow more meek and humble as we learn more of the sufferings of Christ. Think often of the cross, especially as to why he suffered. He died as the great peacemaker, to make men brothers and to reconcile them to God. We never want to contradict that design by our conduct. Those who would show forth the meek and humble life of Christ must bear about them “the dying of the Lord Jesus.”

9. Think often upon the dark and silent grave.

Henry suggests that when we are disturbed about the way things go, we should pause and consider how quiet death will make us, when we will be incapable of resenting and resisting injuries. Think of how quiet death will make you, and thus resolve to be quieter now. You will ere long be out of reach of provocation, so learn to bear with injuries and injustices now. And is not a quiet spirit the best preparation for that quiet state? Henry says it might be well for us occasionally to sprinkle a little dust at our feet, as a reminder of our end, for that might quieten our spirits and end our quarrels. When David’s heart was hot within him he prayed, “Lord, make me to know my end.”

He concludes by insisting that nothing will give us more comfort and repose and make our lives sweet and pleasant than meekness of spirit. It is a lovely and excellent ornament that is esteemed by all. Let us all be among the quiet of the land. —the Editor
 

If you are to find rewarding satisfaction in your work, if life is to be rich and purposeful and crowned with high achievement, it is important you continue to be a growing person. Education is a continuing process. It does not end with the termination of your schooling. Education continues from the beginning of life to the end of life, and balanced growth throughout one’s entire life is important for every individual. - Henry T. Maschal