He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.
Anger restrained
In speaking recently of the power of God’s grace to quell our passions, Mr. Aitken told the story of a gentleman he knew in Liverpool, who, although a follower of the Lord Jesus, was cursed with a hasty and violent temper. It was a source of great grief to him, and in his helplessness he threw himself on the Lord’s hands to rid him of this demon which was marring his Christian happiness. He occupied a position of trust in the Custom House, and it was his duty each night to see that every door in the building was locked. One evening he had just gone through his work as usual and was well on his way homewards, when a boy came rushing after him and told him a man was locked up in one of the inner rooms of the Custom House. At the moment he felt anger rising in his throat, but, lifting up his heart to God, he returned with the boy. After unlocking room after room he came to the place where the man was, and found the poor fellow standing trembling, no doubt expecting an outburst of that temper which they all knew so well. The Customs officer approached the man smiling, and, stretching out his hand, told him not to mind the trouble he had given him. Thus does God’s grace enable us to quell our worst pensions.