Gratitude is more than a verbal expression of thanks. We ought to examine ourselves, and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart; for this alone can show us what we honestly are.
How empty are our conceptions of Deity. We admit theoretically that God is good, omnipotent, and omnipresent; and then we try to give information to this Infinite Mind, and we plead for unmerited pardon, and a liberal outpouring of benefactions. If we are ungrateful for Life, Truth, and Love, and yet return wordy thanks to God for them, we are insincere, and incur the sharp censure that our Master pronounces on hypocrites. In such a case the only acceptable prayer is to put our finger on our lips and remember our blessings.
Praying for humility, with whatever fervency of expression, does not always mean a desire for it. If we turn away from the poor, we are not ready to receive the reward of Him who blesses the poor. We confess to having a very wicked heart, and ask that it may be laid bare before us; but do we not already know more of this heart than we are willing our neighbor should see?
If a friend informs us of a fault, do we listen to the rebuke patiently, and credit what is said? Do we not rather give thanks that we are “not as other men”? During many years I have been most grateful for a merited rebuke. The sting lies in the unmerited censure, — the wicked falsehood, that does no one any good.
| We faintly hear, we dimly see, |
| In differing phrase we pray; |
| But, dim or clear, we own in Thee |
| The Light, the Truth, the Way. |
