The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-21

| went every man his own way, as
the narrative records. Adonijah was
himself to be weakling, and no
| match for the old king, his father, So
in mad fear he fed to the horns OF
the altar, whence he issued a piGful
plea to his brother for mercy.
There was advantage to Solomon IN
having all the disaffected and disloyal
elements in the kingdom thus reveal
ed at the very outset of his reign. He
knew where to find everybody. With
these elements subdued,- he had a
| united, loyal, and prosperous kingdom.
Young and untried, he succeeded to
all the fruits of the forty years of his
Iabored, and the sons have entered into
their rest For Solomon it only re-
manned to fulfill the farewell exhorta-
ton of his father: "Be thou strong,
therefore, and show myself man"
The only king who can reign in any
realm is the man who is strong.
David's weaknesses had brought him
trouble; his strength had brought him
prove strong, or would he succumb as
a weakling?
Gratitude and How to Express Tt.
Terse Comments on the Uniform Pray
er Meeting Topic of the Young Peo-
pies Societies-Christian Endeavor,
Baptist Young Peoples Union, -Bp-
worth League, etc.-for Nov. p.
press It" Ps. 103.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
1t is impossible for us to maintain a
balance with God. We cannot make an
equivalent return for his endless bene-
factions. All that he requires of us is
a spirit of gratitude and of loving
obedience. But that he does require.
It takes great grace to remember
small mercies.
When a messenger whose name is
Adversely comes from the Father bear
ing gifts that we do not understand
and do not want, are we able to look
up and say: Father, 1 thank thee?
Christ was.
Every praiseful life advertises the
Gospel. When Christians magnify God
in the world, men are attracted to him.
We may preach by praising.
Saints should sing and not sorrow.
They have all the reasons for joy that
the world has, with the added reasons
of peace, hope. salvation, and all the
blessings that are comprehended in the
blessing of a Saviour.
God gives the grateful soul more rea-
sons for gratitude.
Our pleasure pleases God. The Faith
er is content to know that he has made
his child happy.
God means US to be stewards, rather
than owners, of his good gifts.
Just to be glad is praise.
Gods dealings are not on give-and-
take basis He does not give to us for
There is nothing in the nature of a
business transaction about Gods rela-
tions to us. His bounties all are
prompted by abundant mercy and
boundless love. He gives because he is
God.
Love to the giver is the best return
for gift.
Not into evil wrought; &.
For the wicked will
Betrayed and baffied still;
For the heart from itself kept,
Our gratitude accept.
For ignorant hopes that were
Broken in our blind prayer:
For pain, death, sorrow, sent
Unto our chastisement;
For all loss of seeing good,
Quicken our gratitude.
Anon.
To talk less of our troubles and more
Oh Goa 5 BOOOneSS WOulQ drive many |
troubles away.
From David learn to give thanks in |
everything. Everv furrow in the book |
Of Psalms is sown with seeds of
sgiving.-Jeremy Taylor
A single grateful thought towards |
heaven is the most perfect prayer
Leasing.
Gratitude is the mother of virtues
Cicero. ]
Gratitude is a duty none can be ex-
cused from, because it is always at our |
own disposal.-Charron.
If saints sang more they would suffer |
less.
There is a shallow sort of gratitude |
that thrives only in the sunshine. But |
the genuine spirit of praise is a deeper |
thing; it gives thanks in dark days and |
in bright. for it is an underlying prin- |
cple of life. 1t is aware that whatever |
the nature of a souls immediate cir |
may be, on the whole 1t |
has abundant reason for thanksgiving |
NEWS AND NOTES.