Psalms 66:20

REFLECTIONS

READER, while the Holy Ghost is here calling upon all lands to celebrate the praises of Jehovah, say what part can you, from a heart-felt satisfaction, bear in the song? Can you bless God for creation? So can the various characters of the earth. Can you bless God for providences? So can the Turk, the Jew, the infidel, the heretic: they can boast of their lands and vineyards, the fruitfulness of their soil, and the salubrity of their climate. Surely the Christian hath higher notes to sing besides these; and while he blesseth God as a God of creation and providence, he ought to bless him in louder strains of thanksgiving and love, as a God of redemption and grace.

Precious Jesus! let these be my notes: let my morning song, and evening hymn, while celebrating the nether springs of divine bounty, publish and proclaim the upper springs of grace and salvation; and all in thee! It is thou, Lord, that hast brought the glad tidings to thy people. It is thou alone that wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood. Let this be my song of rejoicing all the day; and may I have grace to sing forth the honor of thy name, and make thy praise to be glorious.

And oh! ye ransomed souls, ye who fear, and know, and love, my God! come hither, and hearken to my relation of his mercy. I was brought low, cast out, and ready to perish: Jesus saved me, Jesus loved me, and will love me! Oh! put your trust in him alway, ye people pour out your hearts before him; hang upon him; cleave to him; and never give over your humble suit until he hath heard and attended to the voice of your prayer, so that you can, and do cry out, as all the faithful gone before you have done, Blessed be God, who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.