So much does Christ esteem this peaceful spirit, that he says peacemakers shall be called the children of God.  Again, he tells his disciples to “have peace one with another.”  The apostle Paul, also, gives frequent exhortations to the exercise of this grace.  “Be at peace among yourselves.”  “Follow peace with all men.”  “If it be possible, live peaceably with all men.”  “That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.”

MEEKNESS is a twin-sister of Peace.  It is a temper of mind not easily provoked to resentment.  The word used in the original signifies easiness of mind.  The cultivation of this grace resembles the taming of wild animals.  It is the bringing of all our wild and ungovernable passions under control.  It is an eminent work of the Spirit; and we may judge of our spiritual attainments by the degree of it which we possess.  The Scriptures abound with exhortations to the cultivation of it.  It is preeminently lovely in the female character.  Hence, the apostle Peter exhorts women to adorn themselves with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is, in the sight of God, of great price.

LONG-SUFFERING and GENTLENESS are twin-daughters of Meekness.  The latter is the disposition of the heart.  The former are the actions which flow out from that disposition, in our intercourse with others.  Long-suffering is godlike.  It is an imitation of the forbearance of God towards his rebellious creatures.  He is long-suffering, and slow to anger.  He does not let his anger burn hot against sinners, till all means of bringing them to repentance have failed.  O, how should this shame us, who cannot bear the least appearance of insult or injury from our fellow-sinners, without resentment!  But, if we would be the children of our Father in heaven, we must learn to bear ill treatment with a meek and quiet and forgiving temper.  Gentleness is one of the most lovely of all the graces of the Spirit.  It is a “softness or mildness of disposition and behavior, and stands opposed to harshness and severity, pride and arrogance.”  “It corrects whatever is offensive in our manner, and, by a constant train of humane attentions, studies to alleviate the burden of common misery;” the constant exercise of this spirit is of the greatest importance to the Christian who would glorify God in his life, and do good to his fellow-creatures.

GOODNESS is another fruit of the Spirit.  I suppose the apostle here means the same that he expresses in another place by “bowels of mercies and kindness.”  It is doing good both to the bodies and souls of others, as we have opportunity.  “Be kindly affectioned one to another.”  “Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted.”  This is a distinguishing trait in the Christian character.  It shone forth in all its loveliness in our divine Redeemer.  He went about doing good.  So ought we to imitate his example.  It should be our chief aim and study to make ourselves useful to others; for we thereby glorify God.  If we have the Spirit of Christ, this will be the great business of our lives.