And now, my friends, we may find in St. John's example a wholesome
lesson for ourselves. We may learn from it that noisiness is not
earnestness, that violence is not strength. Noise is a sign of want
of faith, and violence is a sign of weakness.
The man who is really in earnest, who has real faith in what he is
saying and doing, will not be noisy, and loud, and in a hurry, as it
is written, 'He that believeth will not make haste.' He that is
really strong; he who knows that he can do his work, if he takes his
time and uses his wit, and God prospers him--he will not be violent,
but will work on in silence and peaceful industry, as it is written,
'Thy strength is to sit still.'
I know that you here do not require this warning much for yourselves.
There is, thank God, something in our quiet, industrious, country
life which breeds in men that solid, sober temper, the temper which
produces much work and little talk, which is the mark of a true
Englishman, a true gentleman, and a true Christian.
But if you go (as more and more of you will go) into the great towns,
you will hear much noisy and violent speaking from pulpits, and at
public meetings. You will read much noisy and violent writing in
newspapers and books.
Now I say to you, distrust such talk. It may seem to you very
earnest and passionate.
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