The School of Gentleness

“The fruit of the Spirit is... gentleness.” — GaAt. v. 22.

Tuey tell us that when Lord Lister was operating in the hospital wards at Edinburgh the wards became a school of gentleness and human sympathy. One of his assistants mentions how his countenance darkened with severity when an unthinking student lifted a broken leg somewhat roughly. Everything was done with the tenderest solicitude. Even his speech was softened with unfailing considerateness. He never referred to some hospital patient as “this case,” but always spoke of “this poor man” or “this poor woman.” Those who laboured with the great surgeon are not likely to forget his strength, but they are even less likely to forget the gentleness which was the fruit of his strength.

Well, who can read this of Lord Lister without thinking of the Great Physician, and his passage through the hospital wards

7 iE ontnie ee me kinisiann ae BNE Seton eS I LC 98 The School of Genitleness

of the common life of men? With what infinite gentleness He ministered to bruised reeds and broken hearts! What tender names He gave them! OD tae “Daughter!” He was never rough, never brusque, never impatient, never in a hurry! His tender approach was part of the cure. His very touch had healing power. He handled the burdens of men in such a way as to immediately make them lighter. Many a broken heart was strangely comforted by His Presence even before the life had been made whole. Most surely the hospital work of our Saviour was a school of gentleness! Have we quite learned His way? “‘ Teach me Thy way, O Lord!” Do we know how to lift broken limbs? Do we know how to handle broken lives? Do we find more delight in denouncing sins than in helping sinners? Are we more expert in abstract analysis than in practical comfort? There is surely an almost crushing need of gentleness in days like these. Let us make no mistake about it, we are not less strong when we become gentle. Real gentleness is not weakened strength; it is strength disciplined, purified, refined. Gentleness is matured strength. It is the full corn in the ear. Roughness has never finished its training. It needs to go to school.

And what is the school? It is the School of the Spirit. We need the fellowship of the Holy Ghost. And in that academy school-time is never over. Every new grace unveils another yet to be won. ‘“Glories upon glories hath our God prepared!” One of the treasures of the school is the grace of gentleness. Only we do not so much acquire it, we become it. It is not a work, it is a fruit. It becomes part of our nature as we become partakers of the divine nature, in Jesus Christ our Lord.