The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 364

calmer moments. Tho words and deeds of anger are but momentary ; yet their fatal ofTecte nro irrevocable. These effects endure and work harm long after the fierce flame of passion out of which they sprang bas died down into grey ashes of remorse. Inusmuch ae it is not possible to reason calmly when under a. fit of anger, the only safe expedient is to hold back and wait for a more suitable occasion of speaking and acting. II. DEFERRED ANGER WILL MOST PROBABLY BURN ITSELF OUT. Anger is like "A full-hot horse, who, being allow'd his way, Self-mettle tires him." (Shakespeare.) It is of the nature of anger to be more fierce than the occasion demands. Therefore it is to be expected that time for reflection will moderate it. Now, if it is modified by time, its earlier excess is demonstrated, and it is made evident that delay saved us from disaster. For it is not simply the case that we tire of anger, that we have not energy enough to be perpetually angry, that well-earned wrath expires of its own feebleness. 'l'he fact is we are all tempted to show needless anger against those who in any way injure us. Time may reveal unexpected excuses for their conduct, or lead us to see the better way of forgiveness. We do but need an opportunity to go into our chamber, and shut to the door, and pray to our Father in secret, to discover how wrong and foolish and dangerous our hasty wrath was, and to learn the wisdom of meekness and patience. III. DEFERRED ANGER MA y YET BE EXERCISED. There are circumstances under which we should do well to be angry; for, as Thomas Fuller says," Anger is one of the sinews of the soul." Christ was "moved with indignation" when his disciples forbad the mothers of Israel to bring their children to him (Mark x. 14), and he showed great anger against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. It is not right that we should witness cruel injustice and oppression with equanimity. It may reveal a culpable weakness, cowardice, or selfishness in us for sights of wrong-doing not to move us to anger. But such anger as is earned and needed by justice can bear to be reflected on. Even with this justifiable wrath haste may lead to disaster. Thus the violent explosion of popular indignation that follows the discovery of some foul crime or some grievous wrong is in great danger of falling into fatal blunders; sometimes it makes a victim of an innocent person, simply for want of consideration. There is no excuse for "lynch law." "The courts are open," and calm investigation and orderly methods will not lessen the equity of the punishment they deliberately bring on an offender. Justice is not to behave like a ravenous beast raging for its prey. There is room for calmness and reflection in connection with those great waves of popular indignation that periodically sweep over the surface of society. When the anger has been wisely deferred, and yet has been ultimately justified, its outburst is the more terrible; it is the flowing out of wrath "treasured up against the day of wrath." Dryden says- " Beware the fury of a pntient man." Ver. 16.-Soul-keeping. The "Power that makes for rignteonsness," though not impersonal, as Mr. Matthew Arnold assumed, is nevertheless active as by a constant law. It is so ordered in nature and providence that goodness preserves life, and badness tends to ruin and death. Let us endeavour to see how the process is worked out. I. THE GREAT RESULT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS SOUL-KEEPL.-.G. 1. It may not be wealth. We cannot assume that goodness tends to riches. Keeping the commandments does not always result in a man's making his fortune. Christ was a poor man. 2. It may not be earthly happiness. Other things being equal, a clear conscience should bring peace and inward joy. But there are troubles that fall upon us independently of our conduct. There are distresses that come directly from doing right. Christ was a " Man of sorrows." 3. It may not be long life on earth. No doubt this was expected in Old Testament times, for then but dim notions of any existence beyond the grave ever entered the minds of men. On the whole, no doubt, goodness tends to health of body and mind. Still, very good people may die young. Christ died at thirty-three years of age. 4. It will be the real preservation of the soul. The true life will be safe. The self will abide. Now, all our being really resides in our personal self. If this continues in safety, we have the highest personnl seourity. But if not, all other gain is but a !!74 THE PROVERBS. [OH. XIX. 1-29,