102 A Perfect Gentleman.

Talleyrand used to say that “speech was
given to conceal thought,” and many moderns
_ act upon his dictum. Contrast the Psalmist’s
picture of a truthful speaker—“ as he think-
eth, so doth he express.”

Even for this life, it will be a benefit to
let ourselves be ruled by the spirit of this
psalm. Take the direction, “ sweareth to his
own hurt and changeth not.” I knew a case
of two apprentices, both feeling keenly the
drudgery of their master’s service: one,
forgetful of his engagement to serve,
absconded, and in after life met with nothing
but failure ; the other, acting from principle,
fulfilled, to his own hurt, the full term of
service, and God blessed him beyond his
fondest hopes. The Perfect Gentleman
actuated by a high sense of duty to God and
man should be

“ A man who flinches not at danger or fatigue,

But moves right on, when on the path of duty ;
God will stand by the man who stands by Him,
Will give him energy and courage now,

And then success hereafter,”

We have the spirit of the true Gentleman
given by the Apostle Paul, who knew well