The church and the commonwealthDiscussions and orations on questions of the day, practical, biographical, educational and doctrinal . ord had driven out from beforethem, so would they perish and be blotted out from the \of men. In order then, that they might secure a continuance ofnational and individual blessings, constant and grateful acknow-ledgment of past mercies was necessary. When thou hast eatenand art full then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the goodland which he hath given thee. The very number, magnitude and regular occurrence of ourmercies produce forgetfulness. It is
The church and the commonwealthDiscussions and orations on questions of the day, practical, biographical, educational and doctrinal . ord had driven out from beforethem, so would they perish and be blotted out from the \of men. In order then, that they might secure a continuance ofnational and individual blessings, constant and grateful acknow-ledgment of past mercies was necessary. When thou hast eatenand art full then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the goodland which he hath given thee. The very number, magnitude and regular occurrence of ourmercies produce forgetfulness. It is only when they are withheldthat we begin to value them. One eclipse of the sun makes agreater impression than the shining of a year. The sickness of afew days makes us more sensible of the value of health, than yearsof uninterrupted strength and soundness of frame. The failure ofone harvest makes us realize the presence of God in nature morethan the overflowing granaries of a score of years. The goodnessof God in providing a gourd to screen the prophet Jonah from thescorching heat of the sun, was only appreciated when the gourd. tie c3 THANKSGIVING MEMORIES. 123 withered and died. So long as the manna falls and hunger is met,we care not to think of the source. So long as the cistern is full,and thirst is quenched, we live in forgetfulness of Him who gathersthe clouds and pours down upon the earth the refreshing rain ! Such unmindfulness of Gods mercies is criminal. It evincesthe basest ingratitude. Nor is it a sin restricted to theoreticalatheists and materialists, who ignore the providence of God in theworld, and live in utter disregard of heavens bounties. Professingchristians are often chargeable with forgetfulness of Gods good-ness. Beyond a formal thanksgiving service, there is no summingup of the abundant causes for gratitude, nor becoming sacrifice ofpraise. To-day we are called as individuals and as christian citizens ofthis nation, to remember the way by which we have
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