his return to his family. When he saw the poor wounded traveller he thought of what he could do for him. The lawyer could talk about what GOD's law said: this man knew that GOD's law taught him to think of how it could be used.

If you will do your duty to your "neighbours," you must try and see what God puts within your power to do; you must try and think of doing things whereby you can show to them, and in GoD's sight (not for others to notice, remember no man saw the good Samaritan's act of love), the love which you for Jesus' sake ought to show for all the members of His body. And when you do see true duty done by others in such a way as you know will be pleasing to GOD, see therein GoD's lesson to yourself, and mind the words of Jesus-"GO AND DO THOU LIKEWISE.”

XVIII.

THANKFULNESS.

"Neither were thankful."-ROMANS i. 21.

How very much we think that there is wrong in the character of any one who is ungrateful! If we do kind acts for any person, and afterwards we are not thanked truly for our good offices, we are always disappointed. Some people who have often been good to others are neglected in return, and are thus tempted to say that they will never take so much trouble or make such sacrifices again. I do not say that they are right in thinking thus. For, if we are good Christians, we shall do good, hoping for nothing in

S

return. But we do not like being treated unkindly; and there is no harder way of wounding many people than by the ingratitude of selfish ways. And other people who do not look for any return to their kindness are none the less offended at thankless conduct. It is very hard to bear being ungratefully treated by any one.

And St. Paul tells us that thanklessness is a sin when shown to God. So we are not wrong in thinking it wicked to be ungrateful. St. Paul says that the heathen who could not know GOD as He chose "in the fulness of time" to reveal Himself, were not free from blame. Had not God given them all things that they had-life, health, affections, enjoyments? But still they were not thankful. True, they did not know GOD as we do. But they had never thought of whence all their good things had come and

so he says that they were "without excuse."

And if we are ungrateful we are sinning against GOD- ungrateful, I mean, for all the blessings He pours upon us and all the gifts He gives us through the good wishes and acts of others.

I wonder if you have ever thought of this? It is so easy to take all things which we like as a matter of course, and only find fault with what does not please us, that perhaps you have never thought of it—and most probably you have never thought much about it. It is not only young people who thus grow up thankless because thoughtless.

But if you do think about it properly you ought to be able by GOD'S grace to avoid growing hard-hearted and selfish. Remember that it is possible for children's hearts to grow

hard.

If they are ungrateful they

will soon become so.

I once heard it said by some one who knew how impossible it is to be religious without thankfulness, that he would wish to add to our Church Litany a petition against ingratitude. I need hardly tell you that it is easy enough and very sad to notice that very many who have had very great advantages in life, and whose duty has certainly fallen in pleasant places, seem often to forget how little they acknowledge all GOD's mercies and blessings. How few notice how His providence has always been about their path! This is why patriotism is so closely connected with religion. The Jews were taught to be and were very patriotic-because their patriotism was one way of thanking GoD. Patriotism-i.e., the love of countryis part of our gratitude to GOD for all