Famine we know nothing of in this happy land; war, and the horrors
of war, we knew nothing of--God grant we never may. In health,
safety and prosperity most of us grow up; forced, it is true, to
work hard: but that, too, is a blessing; for what better thing for
a man, soul and body, than to be forced to work hard? In health,
safety and prosperity; leaving children behind us, to prosper as we
have done. And how many of us give God the glory, or Christ the
thanks?
But if these be our bodily blessings, what are our spiritual
blessings? Has not God given us his only-begotten son Jesus Christ?
Has he not baptised us into his Church? Has he not forgiven our
sins? Has he not revealed to us that he is our Father, and we his
children? Has he not given us the absolutely inestimable blessing
of his commandments? Of knowing what the right thing to be done is,
that we may do it and live for ever; that treasure of which not only
Solomon, but the wise men of old held, that to know what was right
was a more precious possession than rubies and fine gold, and all
the wealth of Ind? Has he not given us the hope of a joyful
immortality, of everlasting life after death, not only with those
whom we have loved and lost, but with God himself?
And how many of us give God the glory, and Christ the thanks? Do we
not copy those nine lepers, and just shew ourselves to the priest?--
Come to church on the Sunday, because it is the custom; people
expect it of us; and God, we understand, expects it too: but where
is the gratitude? Where is the giving of glory to God for all his
goodness? Which are we most like? Children of God, looking up to
our Father in heaven, and saying, at every fresh blessing, Father, I
thank thee.
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