Newport weekly independent., 1902-11-28

expressions of gratitude at posses sing these lesser gifts of material things while His greatest gift of a Saviour is being disdainfully spurned? True thanksgiving in- wolves recognition of gifts, and there can be no adequate recognition of gifts which leaves out the Christ. God cannot accept thanksgiving which has it's inspiration in material things alone.
 The Christian has the advantage of the people of the world at every turn in life, for whereas the thanks giving of the world must necessarily depend upon the material things of life, the Christian is able to "give thanks always, for all things" In counting gifts and blessings one is so apt to enumerate only those things which are pleasant and to him desirable, whereas the trial, the af- fiiction, the misfortune may be the greatest possible blessing, as will be clearly seen in after years. "An things work together for good to them that love God" The misfor- tune and trials of a Joseph wrought the salvation of his own family and of the nation of Egypt The cruel edlct of Pharaoh against the He- brew boy babies became the step- ping stone of Moses to the 40 years of training in the kings palace The prosecutions of the disciples at Je- rusalem spread the glad Gospel mes | nfrn th,-.N, prison walls of John Bunyan became the sacred temple within which the inspired book of Pilgrims Progress wa. given birth. The Christians thanksgiving is not confined to one day in the year, but every day be- comes day of thanksgiving, as thanks are given "always, for all things"
 Recognition of Reciprocal Obliga- tons. - We have seen that true thanksgiving involves recognition of dependence and recognition of gifts and blessings. We have seen some thing of what dependence upon God means and what the recognition of His gifts implies. We now come to the third element in true thanksgiv- ing, namely: Recognition of recip- rocal obligations. The one who pro- fesses thankfulness' for gifts re- ceived, and who feels that the mere expression of the lips is fulfillment of all claims, is not really thankful at all. The truly thankful heart is f1lled with an earnest purpose and desire to give expression to it's grat- tude in some substantial way. David sings: Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: Give thanks unto Him, and bless His name" And here I believe he has implied practical ex- pression of the thainkfulness which is swelling within his heart. What David would have you do is this: Being thankful, enter into the gates and courts of God; give thanks unto Him by blessing His name" What are "the gates and courts of God' and what is it to "bless His name?" Do 1 hear some one say the churches and meeting houses, the cathedrals and temples of worship throughout the world are the courts of God, and to "sit and sing the soul into erlasting bliss" is blessing His name! That is the worlds idea, and l am sorry to say it is the con- ception of many so-called Christians, but l want to tell you, in the light of Gods eternal truth, that the soul cannot prescribe limits to the courts of God, nor can it "bless His name" in the meeting house, if it has not been blessing his name in the home, in the business, in the hours of pleasure and recreation. "The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein" Gods court extends to every nook and corner where hu- man feet can tread; it spreads out into the vast universe and includes the realm of the saints and the an- gels of Heaven. Entering into the gates and courts of God means a recognition of reciprocal obligation to Him which makes an honest, righteous business man, a devout and patriotic citizen, faithful, affection ate father, pure-hearted associate;
 
 and little, great and small, every body, are to give God the first place in their lives because they are tread- ing His courts. It does mean some- thing to enter the gates and courts of God! It does mean something to "bless His name!" True thanksgiv- ing must include recognition of re- ciprocal obligations every day and every moment of the life.
 Gods Claim Upon Us.-But what claim has God upon Us for rendering unto Him thanksgiving and praise? What claim has the faithful parent upon the child for grateful acknowl- edgment of the years of love and care? What claim have you upon that friend because of gifts, and favors, and service bestowed? Can you answer these last two queries and not be able to answer the one first propounded? Every claim which the parent has upon the child, God