Ver. 4.-.A graufu/, heart. "If it be recei.Ted with thanksgiving." We a.re always t{l be conscious of dependence, or else our very blessings turn to curses. We become full, and we deny God. Ther~ is a prosperity wi~ho~t God which ma.kes men proud and hard. Men lose the consciousness of the trans1tonness of earthly good, and of their entire dependence upon God. We are, therefore, to live in an atmosphere of gratitude. We are not to receive mercies as though we had a right to them, but always, as Paul says, "Be ye thankful." I. THINK OF THE THOUGHT MANIFESTED IN THESE GIFTS, Every student of nature becomes surprised that beauty is born out of such strange elements, and that there should be such harmony of forces that, taken alone, would be terribly destructive. God's thoughts are, toward us, precious thoughts, spoken in all ages by holy men, and symbolized in the world of nature. God has thought out a.ll that is needful for our life. He has stored the earth, interlaced it with rich metallic veins, filled it with limestone and coal, that all might be ready for his child. And in grace we see how God promised a Saviour, and, when his Son ea.me into the world," all thingR are now ready." IL THINK OF THE FORBEARANCE THAT CONTINUES THEM. Men have a.bused God's mercies. If men destroy the nobleman's shrubs, he closes his grounds. If men deface the pictures, the galleries are no longer free. And yet God bears with all the sin and frailty of ma.n; and from generation to generation this is the thought that should move man most--not only the forgiveness, but the forbearance, of God. III. TmNK OF THE PLEASURES RECEIVED FBOM THEM. What millionfold minis- trations of plea.sure there are ! What has not nature been to you, and love, and thought, and home! There is no more wonderful contemplation than the varied pleasures of heart and mind.. IV. TH INK OF THE UNCBEATIVE PO WEB OF M;AN. we cannot create a.n atom ; we ca.n only readjust and combine. And the a.rtist cannot create his colours; he can only mix them. The physician cannot create his remedies; he can only find them. The builder cannot create his stones, he can only qua.rry them. The child ca.n gather the flower ; but a whole universe of men cannot give it life again. Let every creation of God be received with thanksgiving.-W. M. S.
Ver. 5.-0reatiun sanctijid,. "For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer." Here, then, is a.n exquisite harmony. We have been talking of creation, and now we come to consider the Word of God. And these creative things are to be "sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.'' Men can talk with God. His followRhip is a test of all our pleasures and companionships and assc.ciations-" Would the Bible be out of place here?" It is never out of place in nature's 11:ardens nnd groves. The best descriptions of nature are in the Bible. It is never out of place in pure festivities. It records the marriage supper, and the music and the dance when the prodigal came home. It is never out of place in children'~ joys; for it gives the picture of a glad and happy childhood. The prophet says, "The streets of the city shall be full of girls and boys playing;" and Christ took up little children in his arms, and blessed them. It is never out of place in pur1> human love; for that is poetized in one an tire book of the Bible. It is not out of place in the earnest pursuit of sccula.r things; for the proverbs appeal to personal endeavour, and to the right enjoyment of riches and honour. The Bible ,anctifie, life from the cradle to the grave, and any social economy ape.rt from the Word of God is only a paper defence against tyranny and wrong. "And prayer." For we way speak to God. 'l'hi, neutral face of nature is ghastly without him. "Speak, Lord; fur tl,y servant hearetl,." Can I ask God to be there al all? Can I ask him to aid me in my work? Can I Wik him to comfort me if I fail? Can I ask him to quicken my powers and enlarge my opportunities? Can I ask him to sanctify my OR, IV. 1-16.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. 81
l\ssociations? These are vital questions; for nothing ie sanctified without him, and everything is" sanctified by the Word of God and prayer."-W. M. S.