The St. Louis Republic., 1902-11-22
YOUNG PEOPLES SOCIETIES.
Topic: Thanksgiving and Thanks
living" Psa. CXVI, IL
II; James /, 30

The tonic for conference at the various
young peoples societies tomorrow night
| is: Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving"
| founded on Psalm cxvi. 12-17, and James
| j. q.
The twofold idea OF the scriptures desig-
mated is aptly expressed by the topic men
toned. The first relates to the expression
OF thanksgiving by word and songs of
praise. while the latter pertains to the ex-
preston of thankfulness by deeds of SYM
pathy and love. Both are important in
their place, and neither is complete in
itself.
sion of thanksgiving mentioned by the
psalmst is that oil the drink Offering.
which always accompanied the thank offer
was Incorporated in the emblem used in the
institution OF the Lord supper. The
wine was in a special sense the cup OF
this idea to the end of time. The apostle
says. Without the shedding of blood there
Is no remission" and without remission
there can be no salvation. Christ said,
This cup is the new testament In my
blood, shed for the remission of the sins
CT many; drink ye all OF it," This great
devout thankfulness to God for the price
less gift of his Son.
PAYING VoWs-But the psalmist fur
ther th declares that ATM as an expressi9n ,S Sa
presencs OF all the people. The VOWS here
alluded to are the covenant VOWS which
every one takes when he enters upon a life
of service to God. 1t may only be the si-
lent VOW, registered in the deepest recess
es of the SOUL but 1t is divineiy sacred and
binding. Then in addition to this there
are the public vows when one enrolls as
the disciple of Christ. These are all most
sacred and binding.
breaking of such VOWS? In the words of
the Master to those who openly condemned
the woman taken in sin, "he that is with
out sin. let him cast the first stone" AS
the old Scotchman expressed 1t. 1T is aye
sinnin. and aye repentin'." For, the
apostle Paul expresses ii, Il find law in
my members, warning against the law OF
to the law Of sin. which is in my members;
sot THAT when Tud Sa1 do ss5 good M H ! is
broken vows as to faithfulness of service.
Surely We need to daily renew our cove
tbe to Ged and I'd % to hit pay
THANKSGIVING-This idea is beautifully
expressed by the apostle James; Pure and
is this: to visit the fatherless and the
widow. and to keep himself unspotted from
the world" Here We have both the active
former finds expression in deeds of kindness
TO those bereaved of human protection, and
the latter In keeping ones self free from
What beautiful picture this of the life
Of Christ! His whole life was ministra-
llon TO tnOSe IN bereavement and sorrow.
How often exercised divine power in be-
half Of the widow and the fatherless! At
the same time he absolutely kept himself
unspotted from the world" The charge
SO often preferred. "a friend of publicans
and sinners" showed how closely asso-
ciated with the world and yet his life was
pure and holy. He was in the world, but
not Of 1t.
This Is the idea which the apostle James
emphasizes in the verse under considera ton.
1t IS ours to mingle with the sorrows OF
EARTH and even walk amid its sins and fol-
lies. yet We are to keep ourselves aloof from
them. Our lives must be above reproach.
evil: All this too, out of spirit of de-
yout thankfulness to him "who has re-
deemed us by his blood. out of every kin
dred and tongue. and people and nation"
THE LESSON--One great lesson which
comes to US from the words just considered
in that of the blessedness Of the spirit of
thanksgiving. Desolate indeed is the soul
which Is devoid of this spirit. Blessed is
the man who can even look up through the
clouds OF disappointment and even sorrow
and thark God for his goodness The psalm
;st further SAYS. the mercy of the Lord is
that fear him." And the apostle Paul.
standing upon high eminence of faith and
looking back over a life of peril and sor-
row. said: I'VE know that ali things work
together for good to them that love God,
to them that are the called according to his
purpose" We should cultivate this spirit
OF thankfulness more than We do
Never think kind deeds are wasted:
Bread upon the waves are they:
And the tides Of God may bring them
Back to US some other day;
Back to US when sorely needed,
In a time OF sharp distress;
30 let's 60 them gladly knowing
oval ~Ix sy,l