n lowliness of mind esteem
others better than myself? Phil. 2:3. Am I self-willed, headstrong,
determined to have my own way? or am I ready to prefer the judgment of
my brethren, and submit to them, when I can do it conscientiously? Eph.
5:21. 1 Peter 5:5. Am I tender of spirit, kind, gentle, and courteous,
in my intercourse with others? 1 Thess. 2:7. 2 Tim. 2:24. Titus 3:2.
James 3:17. Eph. 4:32. Col. 3:12. 1 Peter 3:8. Have I put on _meekness_,
not being easily provoked to the indulgence of resentful feelings? 1
Cor. 13:5. Have I put away from me all bitterness, and wrath, and anger,
and clamor, and _evil-speaking_, with all malice, not rendering evil for
evil, nor railing for railing? Eph. 4:31. 1 Pet. 3:9. Do I love my
enemies, bless them that curse me, and seek the good of those who strive
to injure me? Matt. 5:44. Rom. 12:14, 20. Do I recognize the hand of God
in the daily blessings of this life? James 1:17. Do I likewise recognize
his hand in the little perplexities and trials of every-day life? Do all
my trials subdue and chasten my spirit, working in me patience,
experience, and hope? Rom. 5:3, 4. Heb. 13:6-11. Am I content with such
things as the Lord gives me, day by day, not taking anxious thought for
the morrow, nor disquieting myself for the future? Matt. 6:25-34. Phil.
4:11. 1 Tim. 6:8. Heb. 13:5. Does my faith lead me to look at the things
that are unseen, and set my affections on things above, and not on
things on the earth? 2 Cor. 4:16-18. Col. 3:1, 2.

* * * * *

Remember, this is a fearful question. Your all is at stake upon it. But,
if at any time you come to the deliberate conclusion that you are
resting upon a false hope, give it up: but do not abandon yourself to
despair. Go immediately to the cross of Christ. Give up your heart to
him, as though you had never come before. There is no other way. This is
the only refuge, and Jesus never sent a soul empty away. "Him that
cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." Persevere, even though you
find scarce evidence enough to give a faint glimmering of hope.
Continually renew your repentance and faith in Christ. Diligence in
self-examination may be a means of growth in grace: and if you are
really a child of God, your evidences will increase and brighten, till
you will be able to indulge "a good hope through grace." "For, in due
time, we shall reap, if we faint not."

V. _Another object of self-examination is, to ascertai