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.  Our Saviour taught the same truth when he said, “he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  Luke xiv:  11.  Being exalted here means being honored and blessed.  These passages teach very clearly the truth of which we are now speaking.  They show us that we must learn the lesson of humility if we hope to have God’s blessing rest upon us.  And it is not more true that two and two make four, than it is that God’s blessing does attend and follow those who learn the lesson of humility.

How many illustrations of this truth we find in the Bible!  Moses had learned the lesson of humility before God sent him on his great mission, which has given him a name and a place among the most famous men of the world.

Gideon had learned the lesson of humility before God made choice of him to be the deliverer of his people Israel from the hands of their enemies; and then, for years to be their honored ruler.  John the Baptist was so humble that he said of himself that he was not worthy to stoop down and unloose the latchet of our Saviour’s shoe; and yet Jesus said of him that he was one of the greatest men that ever had been born.