Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-12-02

coos people not only give thanks
for the blessings Of the future which
they receive by faith. but additionally
they appreciate blessings granted to
them in advance in the present life
and give thanks for these. The first
Of these is the knowledge, the appre-
citation, Of the goodness of God in
granting us release from sin and its
! penalty by faith. SO that we can with
out waiting for actualitiest now re-
joice in the mercy which has justified
us freely by Divine grace through faith
in the blood Of Christ. The realiZa-
ton of the rolling away of our load
Of sin, realization of our forgiveness
by the Father. calls for gratitude. for
thanksgiving, and this cause coutinu-
ing. our thanks continue. We were
lifted from the horrible pit and the
miry clay Of sin and condemnation
and our feet were placed upon the
Rock Christ Jesus. 1t was in conse-
quence Of this that new song was
| put into our mouth. even the loving
kindness of our God. And this is the
first cause for our thankfulness. All
other blessings rest upon this blessing
| and all other thanksgivings should
properly. therefore, include thanks for
this blessing.
Additionally after being justified we
were indicted into a still further grace
or privilege, namely, the privilege Of
becoming members Of the Body Of
Christ members of the mystery"
class. The invitation to this class the
Apostle expresses thus. Il beseech you.
brethren. by the mercies Of God (your
Justification that We present your
bodies living sacrifice. holy. accept
able unto God. which is your reason
| able service" (Romans xii. II. Through
this grace or privilege If accepted. we
gain the opportunity Of change OF
nature-from human to Divine. Our
human nature justified. cleansed. made
acceptable to God as sacrifice
through the merit of Christ. if sacri-
feed by us faithfully. will be replaced
by spirit nature and glory. honor, inn
mortality, joint-heirship. with our Lord
and Head. What cause we have in
this for thanksgiving. What shall we
his benefits towards us? I'VE will
take the cup Of salvation CHS cup, the
cup of self-sacriicep and call upon the
name OF the Lord for assistance to
drink Of the Masters cup). We will
pay our VOWS Of conservation unto the
Lord-publicly before all his people"
psalm cxvi. 12-14).
Every Joy he sends me
Comes sweet and glad surprise
The very fact that we do not know
everything: the fact that we are ever
learning as pupils in the School of
Christ. so far from being a cause of
disappointment, is a source Of pleas
ure. The heart that has come into
faith-union and communion with the
Lord learns something more daily re-
specting the Heavenly Fathers love
and care. and each fresh item OF
knowledge is new well-spring of
pleasure He satisfeth the longing
SOUL" BLESSED are they that hunger
and thirst after righteousness, for they
shall be filed" Goodness and mercy
follow me all the days Of my life"
These are the experiences of those ripe
Christians called upon by the Apostle
to give thanks unto God in every mat
ter and to know that this is Gods will
in respect to all those who are mem
bers of Christ-"in Christ Jesus
psalm evil. 8; Matthew V. 6; Psalm
xiii. 81.
Thanks Through Tears.
Let us not overlook the fact that our
text indicates that we are to give
thanks for our sorrows, our trials. our
disappointments, as we'll as for our
joys and pleasures. for everything in
cludes all things. Nor is this the only
Scripture to this effect. Hearken to
the Apostles words which urge the
members of Christ to rejoice in tribu-
lation, not because tribulation is a joy
producer, but. as he explains, Tribu-
lation works out additional patience
and patience brings additional expert
ence and larger experience brings lar
ger hope, until we are not ashamed of
our tribulations. because of increased
love of God shed abroad in our hearts
thereby (Romans V, 3; viii, 35).
The basis of all these blessings and
rejoicings both as respects the future
and the present experiences is faith.
First, in the fact that there is God.
Second. in the fact that he has a noble
character Third, in the fact that his
Wisdom, Justice, Love and Power are
perfect and thoroughly coordinated.
Fourth, in the fact that all of those
powers are enlisted in the salvation Of
the world. Fifth, in the fact that that
salvation began to be worked out by
our Lord at his First Advent. Sixth,
in the fact that it is still working out
in the selection Of his Church. Sew
enth. in the fact that shortly it will
begin to take practical shape in the es
adjustment of Christ's Millennial King
dom. Eighth. in the fact that through
that Kingdom a blessing shall extend
to every creature Of our race.
So, then. let every man to the extent
of his enlightenment appreciate and
confess the Almighty God and give
thanks unto his name, because he is