The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-02-14
SAYING GRACE.

SAYING GRACE
Grace before meat" is phrase often heard and
read and it is a custom observed in Christian
households it is interesting to think of the history
of the giving of thanks. Heather people express
ed their gratitude in various ways, and find that
Mohammedans, Jews, and Christians, we'll as
wild tribes remote from civilization, gave thanks
to the Being to whom they owed their life and sus-
tenance. In some instances offering made
in kind while at other times a simple invocation
used.
Homer refers to the giving of thanks in the laid
land he bids Petroclus, his companion sacrifice
to the gods, and in the fire he cast the sacrfficia
morsel." The Latin writer Quintan says: 1--WE
approached the table and then invoked the gods"
In the Old Testament told that every
moving thing shall be meat for you" and man is
thus assured of Gods bounty But if permission
was given by God to to use all things for food
he was also commanded to give thanks to the
Giver, and told in Deut viii. 10, when thou
hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the
Lord thy God for the good land which He hath
given thee"
We read in the New Testament of Christs giving
thanks before eating under all circumstances.
Matthew Henry said: Our Lord at meals was
wont to bless and give thanks remarkably that
He was known by it," Some of the public occa-
sions on which Christ gave thanks were at the
feeding of the five thousand, at the Last Supper
and at Emmaus.
The apostles followed Chrfst's example and His
constant Thanksgiving to His Father for food made
deep impression on them. Christ taught us to
say, Give us this day daily bread"
Some of the old forms of grace are of special in
terest From st. Chrysostom the following two
part grace is quoted: blessed Cod who feedest
me from my youth up, who givest food to all flesh
fill our hearts with joy and gadness; that always
having all sufficiency, may abound unto every
good work in Jesus Christ our Lord with whom be
unto Thee glory honor and might with the HOLY
Spirit forever. Amen.
GLORY to Thee, o Lord; glory to Thee Holy
One; glory to Thee, King that Thou hast given
us meat to make glad. Fill us with the Holy
Ghost that we may be found well pleasing before
Thee, not being ashamed, when Thou renderest to
every man according to his works."
ST Augustine wrote in A. D. 400: "IIe hath in
Vted thee to His table the table of heaven
the table of angels, where He himself is the Bread
He came down and dsdaned not thy table. and
promised thee His own And what doth He saw to
us? Believe ye believe ye that We shall come to
tne good Things OF My table, since have not dis
dained the evil things of thine"
The following is ascribed to Thomas q Karonis.
80 Jesus, Thou heavenly Mamma and most sweet
Nectar, who when I'm dire thirst on the cross vast
oHered vinegar and gall to drink and couldst not
OBTAIN one drop of water to refresh Thyself itbaI
grant that when seated at my daily repast 7
may earnestly call to mind this Thy most hitter
draught' and so not have my thoughts eagerly in
tent upon food for my body but rather no eern
esty occupied with holy meditation"
John Wesley taught the duty Of saving erace
ana IN l746 Charles Wesley published a special
tract Of twenty-sfx graces two of which are mot
ed: ' are Puo'-
come then our heavenly Adam come
Thy healing influence give:
hallow our food, reverse our doom,
And bid us eat and live"