they dared not try to make it more strange, or more beautiful, by
any words of their own.

They had seen a person, to describe whom passed all their powers of
thought and memory, much more their power of words. A person of
whom even St. Paul could only say, 'that he was the brightness of
his Father's glory, and the express image of his person.'

Words in which to write of him failed them; for no words could
suffice. But the temper of mind in which to write of him did not
fail them; for, by gazing on the face of the Lord, they had been
changed, more or less, into the likeness of his glory; into that
temper, simplicity, sobriety, gentleness, modesty, which shone forth
in him, and shines forth still in their immortal words about him.
God grant that it may shine forth in us. God grant it truly. May
we read their words till their spirit passes into us. May we (as
St. Paul expresses it) looking on the face of the Lord, as into a
glass, be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory. May he
who inspired them to write, inspire us to think and work, like our
Lord, soberly, quietly, simply. May God take out of us all pride
and vanity, boasting and forwardness; and give us the true courage
which shows itself by gentleness; the true wisdom which show itself
by simplicity; and the true power which show itself by modesty.
Amen.



SERMON IV. A SOLDIER'S TRAINING