Man is forbidden to give to any other object the first place in his affections or his service. Whatever we cherish that tends to lessen our love for God or to interfere with the service due Him, of that do we make a god. When we bless God for mercies we prolong them, and when we bless Him for miseries we usually end them. When we reach to praise we have compassed the design of a dispensation, and have reaped the harvest of it. Praise is a soul in flower, and a secret, hearty blessing of the Lord is the soul bearing fruit.
Praise is the honey of life, which a devout heart gets from every bloom of Providence and grace.
As well be dead as be without praise and glory. They are the joy and crown of life. Now, friends, a cold, normal religion will not give glory to God, will not praise the Lord and will not worship God in and through the Holy Spirit and truth. A dead religion is not sufficient to honor the Lord, is not vibrant enough to bring both praise and give glory. And that is why in these last days of gospel work, we need the gospel preached with the power of the loud cry.