The life of a ruling elder in the Church, and in the world, is like the erection of a beautiful building. Great patience is requisite, in order to bring it to a successful completion. So, as a wise master buildeth for eternity, we most build the structure of Christian character upon the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ, Himself, being the chief corner-stone. What a model of patience is Jesus. What difficulties He encountered. What trials clustered around Him. What provocations he meekly endured. All through His life, and even amid His unutterable agonies on the Cross on Mount Calvary, when His body was shedding the last drop of blood to seal the mysterious work of redemption, even then, amid mockings and scoffings, and tortures, the sacred lips of the Crucified Christ uttered this prayer for his enemies, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke xxiii. 34).
The dear Master considered this prayer essential before He could conscientiously exclaim, "Consummatum est"—It is consummated, or finished. Our dear elder was like his Lord in this respect. He could say, with Newton,
"Christ's way was much rougher and darker than mine,
Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?"
Again, another qualification in a ruling elder is wisdom. "Be ye wise as serpents," said Jesus, "and harmless as doves." Are all these professing Christians wise? Are all elders wise? Are all ministers wise? Dr. Bonar says:
Be wise and use thy wisdom well.
Be what thou seemest. Live thy creed;
Be what thou prayest to be made.
Lift o'er the earth the torch Divine,
Let the great Master's steps be thine.