Remember, Christianity puts no premium upon ma terial things. Paul said he had suffered the loss of all things, that he might win Christ. America has all but forgotten this. A minister tells how he kept a bag of sweets in his study to give to his little girl when she came in to visit him. But one day she shyly looked in, and when asked what she had come for, she replied, “Nothing, Daddy, I’ve just come to see you.” The love of her father was above the sweets. How long since you’ve knelt down before God with the feeling that you just wanted to be near Him and speak to Him and listen for His word? This prevalent boasting of full stomach satisfaction while the world bleeds is hardly in keeping with Chris tianity. Second, What Basis Can W e Find for a True Thanks giving Spirit? We may have inward peace in the midst of the world turmoil. The Bible tells us to be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplica tion, with thanksgiving, to let our requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God shall garrison our minds. We may cast all our care upon Him, knowing that He careth for us. We should be thankful that as a people we have abili ty to comfort and bless a needy world — to feed the hun gry, to clothe the naked, to give liberty to the captives. The story is often told concerning James Gordon Ben nett’s sending Henry M. Stanley to Central Africa to find David Livingstone. Bennett, the publisher, had sent this man for the sake of the story that it would give to the world. His instructions were: “ Find Livingstone. Never mind the cost; find Livingstone and bring him back.” The command of Jesus is similar. Pray and pay to send the gospel, which gives spiritual liberty, and the Bible into all parts of the world, and praise God for the privilege. It seems as though Jesus is saying in these last days: “ Find the lost. Never mind the cost; find the lost and bring them back to me.” Third, What Should Be the Expression of Our Thanks giving? David says, “ Take the cup of salvation.” This salvation was wrought out for us upon Calvary’s Cross, and every sacrifice that men have .made is cheap by comparison. And remember, in our tragic world, per sonal salvation is not only of the utmost importance but THE ONLY POWER that will bring us through the hell of men’s insanity that may break loose at any time. God wants folk to bring their sin to Him saying, “Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me.” He will save and keep you in the hour of tribulation. Be sure you thank God for the eternal things. An out-of-town visitor to New York got out of the subway train at Times Square. He asked the subway guard, “When I reach the surface I want to find such- and-such a street. Can you tell me where it is?” The subway employee, with typical indifference, said, “ Don’t ask me anything about ‘up there,’ Mister. I don’t know anything about up there. I know all about down here but nothing about up there.” I!m afraid a good many of our professing Christians are like that. Millions in our land care little about any thing “up there.” Ignoring God, pre-occupied with the material things of life, they are destroying our heritage of freedom. Let us thank God for His “Unspeakable Gift,” Jesus Christ, and all material and spiritual blessings through Him.
W h e n G e o r g e W a s h i n g t o n issued the first presiden tial Thanksgiving Proclamation, he said: “ It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Al mighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His bene fits, and humbly to implore His protection.” This is America’s imperative duty today. David in Psalm 116, by the Holy Spirit, translates this duty into personal experience, and so must we: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord . . . I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.” This is the true Thanksgiving spirit; and how may we get it? First, W e Should Avoid the Too Prevalent False Thanksgiving Spirit — expressing gratitude only for ma terial blessings. We would find little for which to thank God in the early Puritan scene when they celebrated that First Thanksgiving. There were only eleven houses along the village street — hardly luxurious quarters for fifty persons.
Available in tract form from the American Tract Society, Oradell, N.J.
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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