Mexico weekly ledger., 1883-01-11

1ert and others, Revs. Wayman, Head
and Armstrong made short
addresses.
Rev. Wayman said the best exhlbi-
ton of christian spirit was thankful
ness. To appreciate this, compare
the 51st and 103d Psalms. In utter
ing the former, David felt he was a
but in comparing the latter,
he was filed with a different and no
bier spirit. When Gods people are
in a condition to praise, there need be
no fear of their ba~cksliding, and they
always to be in that frame,
since Gods mercies are new every
day and fresh every hour.
Rev. Headington said a thankful
spirit involved faith. To thank God
properly there must be trust in him
as the author of good. 1t also in
cludes love, without which there can
not be gratitude. Obedience is also
closely connected with it. A way
ward, rebellious spirit. is not too much
to say, cannot render acceptable
thanks. To his thought, to be in a
suitable frame to meet the require
ments of the hour, proper relations to
God must have been sustained by his
people.
DR.. Armstrong, of the Baptist
church, said, that he would press upon
his auditors that thanksgiving and
prayer were duties az we'll as privi-
leges. Christ commanded his discip-
les to abound in praise. No matter
how we feel, or what our condition of
spirit is Christ reckons up the bless
ings he has bestowed upon us, and
expects acknowledgment Of them.
You recall how he felt when only one
leper returned to give thanks to God.
There need be no fear in the perform
anc Of this duty. Christ welcomed
the timid and humble Samaritan.
Rendering of thanks is also a some
thing that cannot be committed to an
agent. The exhortation is, ''Forget
not all his benefits" II Christ he's
blessed me, out of its fulness my heart
must speak of his doings. But to
think of all he has done requires a
good memory, and some instead OF
recalling benefits are always recurring
to those providences, that are sad.
They turn all their bright pictures to
the wall, and therefore see nothing to
praise God for. Let such consider
that their condition might have beer
worse than they imagine it has been,
and that the spirit of thankfulness
makes up a large element Of christian
| perfection. 1t is also the most eff.
cient part of song. Nothing touches
hearts compared to it. Oh! if all the
songs Of praise that have ascended
since Christ died could be concentra'
ted, what an anthem of gratitude
would result. The different portions
of the church seem far apart in miles
but there is in fact only the throne Of
God between them, we On one side o.
it, they on the other, and l am glae
therefore, this day has been set apar
by the church to excite sympathy
recall blessings, and unite all hearts
in praise. 1t ought to be matter foI
thankfulness to those that have NJ
other theme, that tonight there is as
cending to God such a volume O
praise, as may cause even HEAVIER
itself to vibrate in repose.
The Tuesday night meeting wa
held at the Baptist church, under tn
direction of its pastor, Rev. Mr.. Arm
strong. After singing and reading o
the scriptures, and confession ant
prayer by Elder Headington and 9th
ers, short addresses we're made b,
Rev. Mess. Walker, Wayman an,
Stoddert.
Elder Walker, Of the Christian
church, said that confession was a
essential to acceptable prayer a
thanksgiving. David, Paul and tn
Prodigal, all acknowledged their faults
and if we confess ours, God isfsf6fu
to forgive us. QfSec1rse however, i
a 6rotref is wronged, besides public
confession we should 60 to him ant
express our sorrow.
DIR. Stoddert, of the Presbyterial
church, commenced with the remarl
that the 51st Psalm was UNIVERSAL,
regarded as the appropriate expression
of a soul bowed in humble contrition
Solomon is reputed to have writteI
three books of the Bible without hav
ing made as much impression on tn
church and world as this short Psalm
The question often arises, why shout
confession be made? Of what benef
can it be to ourselves and others? ]
we refuse to acknowledge our faults
it has the same effect upon us as
repetition of them and tends to hare
ness of both heart and conscience
When a criminal is condemned it
usual to inquire Of him if any reaso
exists against his being sentenced
t Would such an n keep silence upo
] being assured that upon acknowleds
| ing his crime he would be pardoned
, Mr.. Walker has told us that the Jude
r is faithful. He might have added TIL
he is just also, and a father that low,
us and desires us to own up and 81
: no more. If we heed him not, if v
refuse to do as he requests, the reasc