“I have not so great a struggle,” wrote Calvin to Bucer, when opening his heart to a confidential friend, “I have not so great a struggle with my vices, great and numerous as they are, as I have with my impatience. My efforts are not absolutely useless, yet I have never been able to conquer this ferocious wild beast (bête féroce).” The great reformer had the same conflict which has tasked the energies of many a saint through his whole life. Outbreaks of impatience occur so suddenly that there is scarce time to summon one’s resolution and overcome them. They arise like those summer showers of which the first notice one has is the falling rain. Even the law of habit is of but small service in controlling them. A man may succeed in suppressing ebullitions of temper seven successive times, and yet on the eighth lose all self-command, and become a spectacle pitiable to others and shameful to himself. The advance of years, which of itself checks some other infirmities, has no influence here. The irritable youth who does not bridle his temper, is sure to become a yet more irritable and peevish old man.
It was in the latter part of his life that Moses, the meekest man on the face of the earth, was yet overcome by this “ferocious beast.” He spake unadvisedly with his lips, and paid a sore and heavy penalty in being himself excluded from the promised land, to the borders of which he led the host of his countrymen. Even Paul, long after his conversion, the saintly, generous, lowly, loving Paul, on an occasion when his opinion differed from that of Barnabas, had a “sharp contention” with the son of consolation. Old Adam lingers long here; he defies the knife and the cautery. “This kind goeth not out except by prayer and fasting.” Special grace is requisite: how diligently should such grace be sought! He who has not learned to possess his soul in patience is a feeble and immature Christian. He has one of the best graces yet to attain—one which bears most of the impress of the Most High, and which attracts the largest commendation from men.—Selected.