The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-24
sAMAR|TAKs GRATITUDE
Or. MERITS THEME

UIl. WlIlIIlI j lIlLWL
Rev. Daniel 4. Merritt. e. D.. pas
tor of the Highland Park Methodist
church, preached the Thanksgiving
sermon at Centenary Methodist
church at II A. NJ The union service
was largely attended and the music
was an attractive feature.
The Gratitude of the Samaritan"
was pr. Merritts theme. He said in
part.
The text is taken from the Gospel
Of Luke. the seventeenth chapter and
the fifteenth verse. And one of them.
when he saw that he was cieansed
turned back with loud voice glori-
tying God: and fell upon his face at
his feet. giving him thanks"
The gratitude OF the Samaritan
leper illustrates the special theme OF
this gospel. 1t is not probable that
IL is placed here to contrast mans
thanklessness to God with the sort Of
claim to thanks from God. Jesus
seems to have been making for Perea.
az Jesus often did III going from
Galilee to Jerusalem. On the from
tier he would be likely to meet with
mixed company OF lepers. their
dreadful ma1ady having broken down
the barrier between Jew and Samart-
tan. These ten may have collected
on hearing that Jesus was approach
ing-no meaning to be sought in the
number.
For our purpose this morning four
distinct classes may be found In this
incident
Fret. there are those who have
very little, Il any, sense of gratitude.
These priests. or health officers, cared
very little for the one who cieansed
the lepers. The priests and scribes
hated Jesus. Jesus was no ;conoclast.
but respected certain Jewish social
and ecclesiastical laws
There are those who feel deeply
grateful for favors but do not give
outward expression to it. These nine
lepers may have had thankfulness
upon which Thanksgiving depends. but
they certainly grieved Christs heart
because they failed to return and
show their appreciation. IL it not
possible to expect and even expert
ence miracles without any real say
ing faith In Christ.
Again. there are those who habit
ually give verbal and substantial ex-
precision Of their appreciation for per-
~ Neis soon 0tteT tnc
favor u conferred or the indebted
mesa cancelled, and others after the
death OF the benefactor.
There are those who halituallv re-
cognixe fayors done to others ana cx-
press their delight and commend the
9tvers. Jesus said. Il thank thee
rather, even when he believed the
impenifencc OF the cities wherein he
mad done mighty works and where tho
napusts disciples seem to indicate
tnat JOB doubted Jesus meseiahship.
rms DAYS Initial observance may be
Iouhd IN the Hebrew feast OF Taberna-
cIes, out IN our own country At Ply
had passed through winter OF great
seventy. which not only brought nn-
.olu pIvatfon and suffering, but dur
shS when nearly one half their number
nad died. But In the spring they hope
iuiiy planted their simple crops. abuu-
cant rains and warm sunshine gave
mem prosperous season, and At the
completion Of their first harvest the
nIst prompting OF their grateful hearts
was 20 mold a special feast together
.na. taey might In Z more special
.a TeJoice together and give
tn1nks to God"
Win supsrcilious indifference In an
swer to Christ's parable of thu dehtore
. ,nss he s that wa, was FORGIVEN most showed
s y y round In tho forgiveness
-. ~: WMcn y the greatest miracle.
Inss samaritan leper did evidence his
r,snt appraisal OF his cure by praising
uoa' ING naslc principle in real srati-
sutv uepoH0D upon the estimate Of the