Even if nothing else called for thankfulness, it would always be an ample cause for it that Jesus Christ loved us, and gave Himself for us. A farmer was once found kneeling at a soldier’s grave near Nashville. Some one came to him and said: “Why do you pay so much attention to this grave? Was your son buried here?” “No,” he said. “During the war my family were all sick, I knew not how to leave them. I was drafted. One of my neighbors came over and said: ‘I will go for you; I have no family.’ He went off. He was wounded at Chickamauga. He was carried to the hospital, and there died. And, sir, I have come a great many miles, that I might write over his grave these words, ‘_He died for me._’”
This the believer can always say of his blessed Savior, and in the fact may well rejoice. “By Him therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
The Praise of God.
“Speak, lips of mine! And tell abroad The praises of my God. Speak, stammering tongue! In gladdest tone, Make His high praises known.
“Speak, sea and earth! Heaven’s utmost star, Speak from your realms afar! Take up the note, And send it round Creation’s farthest bound.
“Speak, heaven of heavens! Wherein our God Has made His bright abode. Speak, angels, speak! In songs proclaim His everlasting name.
“Speak, son of dust! Thy flesh He took And heaven for thee forsook. Speak, child of death! Thy death He died, Bless thou the Crucified.”
--_Dr. Bonar._