ry well this part of our subject.

During the war of the American Revolution, the commander of a little
squad of soldiers was superintending their operations as they were
trying to raise a heavy piece of timber to the top of some military
works which they were engaged in repairing. It was hard work to get
the timber up, and so the commander, who was a proud man and thought
himself of great importance, kept calling out to them from time to
time, "Push away, boys! There she goes! Heave ho!"

While this was going on, an officer on horseback, but not in military
dress, rode by. He asked the commander why he did not take hold, and
give the men a little help. He looked at the stranger in great
astonishment, and then, with all the pride of an emperor, said:

"Sir, I'd have you know that I am a corporal!"

"You are--are you?" replied the officer, "I was not aware of that,"
and then taking off his hat, and making a low bow, said, "I ask your
pardon Mr. Corporal."

After this he got off his horse, and throwing aside his coat, he took
hold and helped the men at their work till they got the timber into
its place. By this time the perspiration stood in drops upon his
forehead. He took out his handkerchief and wiped his brow. Then
turning to the commander he said:

"Mr. Corporal, when you have another such job on hand, and have not
men enough to do it, send for your Commander-in-chief, and I will
come and help you again."

It was General Washington who did and said this. The Corporal was
thunderstruck! The great Washington, though honored above all men on
the continent, was humble enough to put his hand and shoulder to the
timber, that he might help the humblest of his soldiers, who were
struggling for the defence of their country, to bear the burdens
appointed to them.

This is an excellent illustration of the truth we are now
considering. And certainly we should all try to learn the lesson of
humility which Jesus taught, when we see how it helps to make us
useful.

_And then there is one other reason why we should learn this lesson,
and that is because of the_--BLESSING--_that attends it_.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in her noble song about the birth of her
wonderful Son, said that God "filleth the hungry with good things,
and sendeth the rich empty away." By the "_hungry"_ she meant the
_humble_ and by the "_rich"_ the _proud_. And the "good things" with
which God fills them mean the blessings He bestows on the humble