Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-12-01

EsfIZ,--1-,|, fh2sd stormy times OF
ETSSS iSSsNSSN possible or actual
persecution were
eyhorted to be of good cheer and to
count up their mercies.' Pauis
words are not only hortatcry, but
also mandatory. 1t is the duty or
the Christian, amid all vicissitudes,
to be thankful. A believer is never
justified in forgetting Gods dement's
to him. lie is expected TO figure OUT
every now and then the sum Of the |
divine favors that have been shown |
TO him, or what might be called the |
statistics of salvation. 1t is true that
divine mercies have been innumer-
able. and cannot be tabulated with
anything like completeness; yet the
Christian believer is eXhorted to
dwell upon these mercies in thought
and to render vivid to his mind, by
frequent reflection, so many Of the
visitations OF divine favor as he can
discern providentially unfolded in
his past life.
! There is, then, a duty of thanks
giving. Praise is the expected thing.
gratitude is demanded. God is dis
apDointed, and even angcred, when
men receive MS Blllb NiNiioN' 'N'@'''
ing thanks. The Lord is gracious,
but that is no reason why the chill
dren of men should be ungraciously
thankless. Thanksgiving is Il part
of the code of duty Of Christian 1t
is an integral portion of the deca'
loguc of moral action. 1t is not
kind of extra service, or superhuous
activity added on to the body OF duty
otherwise complete, but is of the
warn and wool of the Christians OBJ
LEGATION. BE thankful" was not the
idle. chance remark of a sentimental
apostle, but is the New Testament in
terpretation of tho Old Testament
burden OF blessing.
But If thankfulness is a duty, it is
none the less on that account grace.
If it is not optional, it may certainly
be ornamental The fact that a
thing or a trait is demanded by the
moral law does not render the sacri'
fee of that thing or the exhibition
of that trait any the less noble or
lovely. Tho grace of gratitude in
particular is a peculiarly lovely Wiz
tue. There is even, We may say, an
aesthetic quality to thankfulness.
Praise is comely for the upright,
said the Psalmist, who was an au-
thority on the beauty Of holiness.
Even the world appreciates the aes'
thetic value of gratitude-as well as
its earning power, acquisitive OF fu
ture favors, as practical asset OF
# life-and poets in all ages have SUNG
.. of the charm of a grateful spirit, the
nobility of a responsive nature. Even
| ri a
If in mute recognition of the heav
emily source of the bits of BLESSING
which fall to them, and certainly man
r much more richly endowed ant
S, blessed, should do at least as much
n and express his THANK you!" boil
;. by the testimony of the lips and thu
T. generous actions of the life.
Thanksgiving day is a proper an'
convenient occasion for considering
both the duty and the grace Of graft
tude TO the great Giver of all good
But Thanksgiving day is not simpl.
= for the abstract discussion of genera
ideas present in thought or stirrin
the emotions. This day does-o
should-have a direct governing re
lation to the ministries of the han
and the unfolding of the wallet.
When it is celebrated in the spirit c
the scriptural eXhortation to thanl
fulness, it becomes n time of rejoi'
ing in the truest, fullest sense, b.
cause it joins praise to God with pra'
teal ministry to the poor and unlo
tunate. Thanksgiving should issu
in thanksgiving. Praise should b'
come a practice. Gratitude must b.
come a temper and tendency of tn
life. So will God be glorified an
gratifled, and men, by their cordii
and constant recognition of his goo'
ness, be lifted in the scale OF bein
and be the better fitted TO receiV
from heaven more favors still.-Re
C. A. S. Dwight.