The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1862-11-13
Blessed be the Lord, for am Rich.

"Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and for
get not all his Benefits" is a proper ex-
preston of thankfulness. It'll right to praise
God when he blesses us; right to thank him
Cor temporal blessings, as well as for spir-
itual mercies; but the sacrifice of the lips,
to be acceptable to him, must be offered with
holy feeling. The words of our caption are
taken from the Bible, but are not applied
to those who feel truly thankful to Cod
The rich, if they do not thank God for his
bounty, are guilty and ung-ateful. Some Of
this class do perhaps say in their hearts,
THANK God. | am rich.' 1t is matter of
great Importance to determine the feeling
which prompts these or such words, for the
same language may be used by men of very
different characters, as well as in different
circumstances.
In a time of public distress, of CONNER
cial embarrassment, when estates pass sud-
denly from hand 20 hand, when losses and
bankruptcies are frequent, and many of the
losers have no resources to save them from
distress, the rich may lose something as well
as the poor; but that which is lost bears, in
many cases, so small proportion to what
is left, that they need scarcely Top off few
superAuities, or curtail little extravaganza.
A loss which brings real suffering to others,
deprives them of no comfort. Nay, when
many are compelled to sacrifice property,
and when money commands high premium,
the rich who have funds in hand, or easily
made available, have an opportunity for
making as much as they loose. They need
only keep sharp look out, and take adran-
tGge Of Gods providence, in order to gain
that which others lose; and being glad of
the opportunity, they may say, Thank God,
am rich.'
There may be some who, in another spirit,
thank God for their wealth. Are benevolent
institutions embarrassed for want of means,
without which their operations cannot be
carried on to advantage; have the failures,
the losses, the deferred payments which
characterize time of heavy pressure in the
money market curtailed the resources of
some Of lions friends, and entirely emptied
the Golfers of others; there may be some rich
men who rejoice to be able to come forward
and help the friends and managers of such
institutions to meet the crisis. Shall none
but those who can give only by great self
denial come to the rescue2 Must Bibles
and tracts cease to be printedf Some rich
men, deprecating such result, may say,
by no means; the Lord be praised L am
rich, can spare something without serious
Inconvenience"
Has some worthy man, who often helped
others, suffered losses2 And is he in dam
ger of losing his credit and his business,
and unable, at the season of panic, to obtain
either loans or indulgencel Some rich man,
who knows his worth, may resolve to save
him from ruin--may give him credit or adj
vance him money, and may thank God that
he is able to do so.
Are the poor perishing with cold and
hunger2 Do the number and the wants of
the sufferers exceed the provision which has
been made for their relief7 There may be
rich men who delight to give literally as
well as judiciously; to carry relief and COM
fort to the starving and the sick, and to
speak words of kindness also; who do not
say, depart in peace, be ye warmed and
filed" without giving those things which
are necessary TO the body; who remember
the Scripture which says, "He that giveth
to the poor lendeth to the Lord" and who
like to make such investments; and who
therefore say in their hearts, BLESSED be
the Lord, for we are rich" My rich friend,
which is your case2