George Bethune on Christian Gentleness

George Washington Bethune was a pastor in the Dutch Reformed Church in New York and Pennsylvania in the 19th Century. In his book, The Fruit of the Spirit, Bethune slowly works through Galatians 5:22-23 on Paul's "fruit of the Spirit." Here, he introduces the spiritual fruit of gentleness:

"Perhaps no grace is less prayed for, or less cultivated, than gentleness. Indeed, it is considered rather as belonging to natural disposition, or external manners—than as a Christian virtue. Seldom do we reflect that not to be gentle, is sin. Yet here we find it among 'the fruits of the Spirit.'
James also, when he describes the wisdom from above, says, "it is first pure, then peaceable, gentle."
Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, when he appeals to them in the name of Him who was the incarnation of that divine wisdom, and the example of Christian character, beseeches "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ."
And David long before, while blessing God for his salvation, had exclaimed, "Your gentleness has made me great." It well befits us, therefore, to meditate upon a quality which bears the impress of divine beauty, as it shines in the face of Jesus Christ, and proves him who possesses it to have been . . .
born of the Spirit,
taught by the Father, and
transformed into the image of his dear Son.
Gentleness can be defined as a sweet mildness of temperament, manifested in words, address, and general demeanor."