A Perfect Gentleman. 107

I have given these specimens of that
spirit of honour, straightforward dealing,
and integrity of life, which go to form the
character of the True Gentleman. The
perfect one is, where love to Christ is added,
producing love to others, as shown in a
studious desire to live according to the
golden rule, to do to others as we should
wish them to do to us, and to love our
neighbour as ourselves. A Gentleman
always considers the views and feelings of
others before his own, and gives up the
latter, when he can conscientiously, to the
former. A poor gentleman (i.e. in money
wealth) was once offered a bribe to do some
piece of dirty business, and, very much to
the astonishment of his tempter, he refused,
giving as his reason, “I am too poor to do a
dirty action; my character is the only
property I have, and I cannot afford to lose
it.” The Perfect Gentleman for Christ’s
sake will seek to please others and to avoid
giving offence. His direction is, “If it be
possible, as much as lieth in you live
peaceably with all men.” There is no train-
ing like devotion to the Lord for giving a