of men, that if we were to strip ourselves of all faults, one by one, we should undoubtedly find it the very last and hardest to put off." It is a quaint but true saying of Bishop Hall, that " pride is the inmost coat, which we put off last, and which we put on first/'
In the second place we learn, that a life of self-denying Mndness toothers is the true secret of greatness in theldng- dom of Christ. What saith the Scripture ? " Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister: — Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."
The standard of the world, and the standard of the Lord Jesus, are indeed widely different. They are more than different. They are flatly contradictory one to the other. Among the children of this world, he is thought the greatest man who has most land, most money, most servants, most rank, and most earthly power. Among the children of God, he is reckoned the greatest who does most to promote the spiritual and temporal happiness of his fellow-creatures. True greatness consists not in re- ceiving, but in giving, — not in selfish absorption of good things, but in imparting good to others — not in being served, but in serving — not in sitting still and being min- istered to, but in going about and ministering to others. The angels of God see far more beauty in the work of the Missionary, than in the work of the Australian digger for gold. They take far more interest in the labors of men like Howard and Judson, than in the victories of generals, the political speeches of statesmen, or the council-chambers of kings. Let us remember these things. Let us beware of seeking false greatness. Lefc