stepped out of the crowd, helped the old woman to her
feet, put her apples into her basket, and went on his way, without
thinking of it.

Now a proud man would never have thought of doing such a thing as
that. But this young man had learned the lesson of humility, and did
not hesitate a moment to do this kind act.

When he called again to see about the situation, he was asked what
wages he expected.

He stated what he thought would be right. His proposal was accepted.
The situation was given him, and he went to work.

About a year afterwards, his employer took him aside one day,
reminded him of the incident about the old apple woman; told him he
was passing at the time, and saw it; and that it was this
circumstance which induced him to offer the vacant situation to him,
in preference to a hundred others who were applying for it.

Here we see what a blessing this young man's humility proved to him!

And thus we see that there are five good reasons why we should learn
the lesson of humility. These are the _command_ of Christ; the
_example_ of Christ; the _comfort_ that humility gives; the
_usefulness_ to which it leads; and the _blessing_ that attends it.

The first verse of the hymn we often sing contains a very suitable
prayer to offer when we think of the lesson of humility we have now
been considering:

"Lord forever at thy side
Let my place and portion be;
Strip me of the robe of pride
Clothe me with humility."

CHRIST AND THE LITTLE CHILDREN

If, when Jesus was here on earth, he had shown a great interest in
kings, and princes, in rich, and wise, and great men, it would not
have been surprising; because he was a king and a prince, himself; he
was richer than the richest, and wiser than the wisest, and greater
than the greatest. But he did not do this. He took no particular
notice of them; but he showed the greatest possible interest in
children. When mothers brought their little ones to him, the
disciples wanted to keep them away. They thought, no doubt, that he
was too busy to take any notice of them. But they were mistaken. He
was very busy indeed. He had many lessons to teach. He had sermons to
preach; and sick people to heal; and blind eyes to open; and deaf
ears to unstop; and lame men to make whole; and dead men to raise to
life again. He had all his Father's will to make known to men; and
all his Father's commandments to keep. He had to suffer, and to die
for the