Grace Gems

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Like a swine with a golden jewel in its snout!

(George Lawson, "A Practical Exposition of the Book of Proverbs" 1821)

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Why is not beauty included in the character of the virtuous woman? Is not beauty a bright ornament to her virtue? But there is no mention made of it in this description, because it is a lowly quality in comparison of those which are here enumerated. It is but a flower that fades in a day; and the love produced by it is but a transient passion.

When beauty is not sweetened by godly virtue, the woman who possesses it is but like a swine with a golden jewel in its snout, as Solomon tells us. At the best, beauty cannot secure that love which it raises, for when it becomes familiar to the lover, it palls upon his sight; and sometimes tempts him to curse that enchanting influence which blinded his eyes to more solid virtues.

But a woman who fears the Lord, whether she has beauty or not--shall be praised. For true piety is the beauty of the soul, and excels that which lies in complexion and features, as much as Heaven is higher than the earth, or eternity is longer than time.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the most essential part of the virtuous woman's character. It is this which sanctifies every other part of it, and makes her all glorious within. The pleasant effects of the fear of the Lord spread themselves into every part of her behavior, and cannot but excite the admiration of all beholders.

Beauty is indeed a lovely trait when it is joined with piety and humility--but without them it is a snare and a trap! In choosing a wife, fools will follow their imagination--and the wise will act according to reason and the Word of God.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

With the rope around my neck!

(Joseph Alleine, "A Soliloquy of an Unregenerate Sinner")

What misery have my sins brought upon me! Oh, what miserable state I am in! Sold under sin, cast out of God's favor, accursed from the Lord, cursed in my body, cursed in my soul, cursed in all that I have. My sins are unpardoned, and my soul is within a step of death!

Alas! What shall I do?

Where shall I go?

Which way shall I look?

God is frowning on me from above,
Hell is gaping for me beneath,
conscience is smiting me within,
temptations and dangers are surrounding me without.

Oh, where shall I fly?

What place can hide me from Omniscience?

What power can secure me from Omnipotence?

Alas, what shall I do?

Shall I go on in my sinful ways? Why then, certain damnation will be my end!

Shall I be so besotted and mad as to go and sell my soul to the flames for a little ale or a little ease; for a little pleasure or gain or comfort to my flesh?

Shall I linger any longer in this wretched state? No, If I tarry here I shall be miserable forever!

What then, is there no help?

Is there no hope?

Is there any remedy for such woeful misery?

Is there any mercy after such provoking iniquity?

Lord Jesus, I come to You with the rope around my neck! I am worthy to die and to be damned. Take me for Yourself forever. I give myself to You, I come to You, as the only way to the Father, as the only Mediator. I have destroyed myself--but in You is my help. Save, Lord--or else I perish!

Too long have I served the world; too long have I hearkened to Satan; but now I renounce them all, and will be ruled by Your dictates and directions, and guided by Your counsel.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

Worldly men varnished over with religion!

(Horatius Bonar)

Refined worldliness is the present snare of the Church. The young are trained and encouraged by their parents to be "lovers of pleasure." Parties, dancing, theaters, and such like, are no longer forbidden things to the followers of the Lamb!

Most church-goers are in fact, but worldly men varnished over with religion--that is all.

These are the ambiguous disciples of our age, who belong to Christ but in name. These are the stony-ground or thorny-ground hearers!

The religion of such is but a half-and-half religion--without depth, or decision, or vigor, or self-sacrifice. It is but a picture or a statue--not a living man.

Such a man's whole religious life is one grand misconception; and every step he takes in it is a blunder, and a stumble, and a snare. Let such a man know that, in his present half-worldly, half-religious condition--he has no real religion at all. It is a fiction, a delusion. It will not stand the test of time or of eternity. It will go to pieces with the first touch. It is all hollow and must be begun again, from the very first stone of the foundation.

O worldly formalist, if you would make sure your hope of eternal life and obtain a discipleship that will stand all tests--count all the past but loss. Fling away your vain hopes and self-righteous confidences. Give up your fond idea of securing both earth and Heaven. Go straight to Calvary; there be crucified to the world, and the world to you, by the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14). Go at once to Him who died and rose again, and drink into His love. One draught, nay, one drop of that love will forever quench your love of sin, and be the death of that worldliness which threatens to be your eternal ruin!

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

It opens the eye of the mind!

(Joseph Alleine, "An Alarm to the Unconverted" 1671)

Conversion is a deep work, a heart work.

It makes a new man in a new world!

It extends to the whole man--to the mind, to the affections, to the motions of the whole life.

Conversion turns the balance of the judgment, so that God and His glory outweigh all carnal and worldly interests.

It opens the eye of the mind, and makes the scales of its native ignorance fall off, and turns men from darkness to light.

The man who before saw no danger in his condition, now concludes himself lost and forever undone--except renewed by divine grace.

He who formerly thought there was little hurt in sin, now comes to see it to be the chief of evils! He sees the stupidity, the deformity and the filthiness of sin; so that he is affrighted by it, loathes it, dreads it, flees from it, and even abhors himself for it! Romans 7:15; Job 42:6; Ezekiel 36:31

He who could see little sin in himself, and could find no matter for confession--now sees the rottenness of his heart and the desperate and deep pollution of his whole nature. He cries, "Unclean! Unclean! Lord, purge me with hyssop, wash me thoroughly, create in me a clean heart!" He sees himself altogether filthy, corrupt in both root and branch. He writes 'unclean' upon all his supposed virtues and good works. He discovers the filthy corners that he was never aware of, and sees the blasphemy, and murder, and adultery that is in his heart, of which before he was ignorant.

His hatred boils and his anger burns against sin. He has no patience with himself; he calls himself 'fool' and 'beast'; and thinks any name too good for himself, when his indignation is stirred up against sin. He could once wallow in it with much pleasure; now he loathes the thought of returning to it as much as of licking up the filthiest vomit!

Hitherto he saw no form nor loveliness in Christ, no beauty that he should desire Him; but now he finds that Jesus is the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of great price for which he is willing to sell all to obtain.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

O lay your ear to the door of Hell!

(Joseph Alleine, "An Alarm to the Unconverted" 1671)

O unbeliever! Look down into the bottomless pit!
Do you see how the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever?
What do you think of those chains of darkness?
Can you be content to burn for eternity?
Do you see how the worm gnaws, how the fire rages?
Do you see that gulf of perdition? Will you take up your habitation there?

O lay your ear to the door of Hell!
Do you hear the curses and blasphemies, the weepings and wailings?
How they lament their follies and curse themselves!
How they roar and gnash their teeth!
How deep their groans!
How inconceivable their miseries!

O how fearful would the cry be--if God would take the covering off the mouth of Hell, and let the cry of the damned ascend in all its terror among men!

And of their moans and miseries, this is the piercing, killing emphasis and theme, "Forever! forever!"

As God lives, you are but a few hours away from all this misery--unless you be converted! If there is anything that may be called madness and folly, and anything that may be counted absurd, brutish, and unreasonable, it is this--to go on in your unconverted state until God throws you into Hell! (Luke 12:5)

O sinners, see what a God you have to deal with. If you will but turn, "He will have compassion on you; He will subdue your iniquities, and cast all your sins into the depths of the sea!"

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________

The more burdens we put on His shoulders

(Charles Spurgeon)

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble!" Psalm 46:1

Scripture promises are not meant to be looked at only--but to be appropriated. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use. Believer, you do not make use of Christ as you ought to do.

When you are in trouble, why do you not tell Him all your grief? Has He not a sympathizing heart, and can He not comfort and relieve you? But no, you are going about to all your friends--except your best Friend; and telling your tale everywhere, except into the bosom of your Lord.

Are you burdened with this day's sins? Here is a fountain filled with blood--use it, saint, use it!

Has a sense of guilt returned upon you? The pardoning grace of Jesus may be used again and again. Come to Him at once for cleansing!

Do you deplore your spiritual weakness? He is your strength--why not lean upon Him?

Do you feel yourself spiritually sick? Use the cable of prayer, and call up the Beloved Physician! He will give the cordial that will revive you.

You are spiritually poor--but then you have "a kinsman, a mighty man of wealth." What! will you not go to Him, and ask Him to give you out of His abundance, when He has given you the promise that you shall be joint-heir with Him; and has made over all that He is and all that He has--to be yours?

There is nothing Christ dislikes more, than for His people to make a show-thing of Him, and not to use Him. He loves to be employed by us. The more burdens we put on His shoulders--the more precious will He be to us!

"He has given us His very great and precious promises!" 2 Peter 1:4

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
___________________________________________

Why, then, are we so bewitched with vanities?

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Do men make their own gods? Yes, but they are not gods!" Jeremiah 16:20

One great besetting sin of ancient Israel was idolatry, and we who are the spiritual Israel are vexed with a tendency to the same folly! We no longer bow down to sticks and stones--but Mammon still intrudes his golden calf, and the shrines of pride are not forsaken. SELF in various forms, struggles to subdue the chosen ones under its dominion; and the flesh sets up its altars wherever it can find space for them.

Children are often the cause of much sin in believers, and the Lord is grieved when He sees us doting upon them above measure. They may live to be as great a curse to us--as Absalom was to David; or they will be taken from us to leave our homes desolate. If Christians desire to grow thorns to stuff their sleepless pillows--let them dote on their children!

It is truly said that "they are not gods," for . . .
  the objects of our foolish devotion are very doubtful blessings,
  the solace which they yield us now is dangerous, and
  the help which they can give us in the hour of trouble is little indeed.

Why, then, are we so bewitched with vanities?

We pity the poor heathen who adore a god of stone--and yet worship a god of gold!

The principle, the sin, the folly is the same in either case, only that in our case--the crime is more aggravated because we have more light and sin in the face of it.

The heathen bows to a false deity--but he has never known the true God.
We commit two evils, inasmuch as we forsake the living God--and turn unto idols.
May the Lord purge us all from this grievous iniquity!

"Dear children, guard yourselves from idols!" 1 John 5:21

    "The dearest idol I have known,
     Whatever that idol be;
     Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
     And worship only Thee!"

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
___________________________________________

One grand secret of the strength of the ministry

(J.C. Ryle)

It is of great importance to recall to our minds the real nature of our work as ministers of the Gospel. We should remember constantly the great ideal of what a Christian minister ought to be, sketched out in the sixth chapter of the Acts: "We will give ourselves to the Word of God and to prayer."

The preaching and expounding of the Word of God, with nothing added, and with nothing taken away--is beyond all doubt our principal business. We must take heed that we give due honor to the Word of God in our public ministrations. A thousand things continually call us away from this--committees, schools, visiting, and the like. But we must remember . . .
  that we are ministers of the Word of God,
  that our province is the Word of God, and
  that we must be very careful not to leave the Word of God to serve tables.

But after that, we must never forget private prayer. This is one grand secret of the strength of the ministry. It is here that the roots of the ministry, practically speaking, are to be found. The ministry of the man who has gifts, however great, but who does not give the prayer-closet the principal place--must sooner or later become tedious and ineffective.

I will remark, in the next place, that it is of immense importance that we should take heed to our own lives. "Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things" 1 Timothy 4:16.

I have been lately studying the lives and private habits of those men whom God raised up to be the revivers of the Church in the last century. I have been much struck with their self-denial, and entire devotedness to the work of the ministry. They were men who lived very plainly and simply, and did not seem to care much for anything but their pastoral work. They were not men who sought the entertainments of the great and the rich. We would do well to consider whether we are living as near to God as they did.

I will remark, in the next place, that we all need to be more careful in the employment of our time. There is a danger of trying to do too much. Some clergymen have so many irons in the fire, that it is impossible to keep them all hot. A few things well done, are far better than twenty poorly done. The man whose work will stand the longest, is the man who, whatever people may say, however lazy they may call him--determines that he will not do more than he can do well.

And always remember: What costs little, is worth little.

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
___________________________________________

Those spears that pierced Christ!

(Thomas Brooks)

1. To hate sin is not merely to refrain from sin--for so Balaam did, even then when he was tempted to it. (Numbers 22).

2. To hate sin is not merely to confess sin--for so Pharaoh and Judas did. (Exodus 10:16, Matthew 27:4).

3. To hate sin is not merely to be afraid to sin--for this may be where the hatred of sin is not.

4. To hate sin is not merely to mourn because of the dreadful effects and fruits that sin may produce--for so Ahab did, and the Ninevites did.

He who fears sin for Hell--fears not to sin, but to burn!

He hates sin indeed--who hates sin as Hell itself!

A holy man knows that all sin strikes at . . .
  the holiness of God,
  the glory of God,
  the nature of God,
  the being of God,
  and the law of God.

Therefore his heart rises against all sin. He looks upon every sin as . . .
  the Scribes and Pharisees who accused Christ;
  that Judas who betrayed Christ;
  that Pilate who condemned Christ;
  those soldiers who scourged Christ;
  those spears that pierced Christ!

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
___________________________________________

Keep yourselves out of the filthy puddle of this world!

(William Dyer, "The Strait Way to Heaven")

"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God--rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time." Hebrews 11:24-25

Choose suffering--before sinning.

Oh! beloved, there is more evil in the least sin against Christ--than in the greatest suffering for Christ!

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17

   1. Our sufferings for Christ are but light.

   2. Our sufferings for Christ are short--but for a moment.

   3. Christ stands by us in our sufferings.

   4. Our sufferings are ordered by the Father.

   5. Our sufferings shall not hurt our souls.

   6. God gives us the best of comforts--in the worst of times.
We have most consolation from God--when we have most tribulation from men!
As our sufferings abound--so our consolations abound.
When the burden is heaviest upon the back--then the peace of conscience is sweetest within.

Therefore, my dear brethren, keep yourselves out of the filthy puddle of this world, and from the evil of this world! And if you must sin or suffer--choose suffering before sinning!

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
___________________________________________

There is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age!" Matthew 28:20

It is well that there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us. It is well that there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life. O my soul, do not set your affections upon rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures--but set your heart upon Him who abides forever faithful to you. Do not build your house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world--but found your hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure!

My soul, I charge you--lay up your treasure in the only secure cabinet; store your jewels where you can never lose them. Put your all in Christ; set . . .
  all your affections on His person,
  all your hope in His merit,
  all your trust in His efficacious blood,
  all your joy in His presence,
and so you may laugh at loss and defy difficulties.

Remember that all the flowers in the world's garden wither and die--and the day is coming when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth. Death's black extinguisher must soon put out your candle. Oh! how sweet to have sunlight--when the candle is gone! The dark flood must soon roll between you and all you have!

So wed your heart to Him who will never leave you. Trust yourself with Him who will go with you through the black and surging current of death's stream, and who will land you safely on the celestial shore, and make you sit with Him in heavenly places forever!

Go, sorrowing son of affliction--tell your secret troubles to the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. Trust all your concerns with Him . . .
  who never can be taken from you,
  who will never leave you, and
  who will never let you leave Him, even "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

"I am with you always," is enough for my soul to live upon--though all others forsake me!

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
___________________________________________

He will carry the lambs in His bosom!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"He will carry the lambs in His bosom, holding them close to His heart!" Isaiah 40:11

Who is He of whom such gracious words are spoken?
He is the Good Shepherd.

Why does He carry the lambs in His bosom?
Because He has a tender heart, and any weakness in His people at once melts His heart. The sighs, the ignorance, the feebleness of the little ones of His flock--draw forth His compassion. It is His office as a faithful High Priest, to consider the weak. Besides, He purchased them with blood, they are His property--He must and will care for that which cost Him so dear!

He is also responsible for each lamb, bound by covenant engagements not to lose one. Moreover, they are all a part of His glory and reward.

But how may we understand the expression, "He will carry them"?

Sometimes He carries them by not permitting them to endure much trial. Providence deals tenderly with them.

Often they are "carried" by being filled with an unusual degree of love--so that they bear up and stand fast. Though their knowledge may not be deep--they have great sweetness in what they do know.

Frequently He "carries" them by giving them a very simple faith--which takes the promise just as it stands, and believingly runs with every trouble straight to Jesus. The simplicity of their faith gives them an unusual degree of confidence, which carries them above the world.

"He will carry the lambs in His bosom."

  1. Here is boundless affection. Would He put them in His bosom--if He did not love them so much?

  2. Here is tender nearness--so near are they, that they could not possibly be nearer.

  3. Here is hallowed familiarity--there are precious love-passages between Christ and His weak ones.

  4. Here is perfect safety--in His bosom, who can hurt them? They must hurt the Shepherd first.

  5. Here is perfect rest and sweetest comfort. Surely we are not sufficiently sensible of the infinite tenderness of Jesus!

"My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish--ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!" John 10:27-28

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
___________________________________________

With God for your portion!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"You are my portion, O Lord." Psalm 119:57

Look at your possessions, O believer--and compare your portion with the lot of your fellow men.

Some of them have their portion in the field; they are rich, and their harvests yield them a golden increase. But what are harvests compared with your God, who is the God of harvests? What are bursting granaries compared with Him, who is the heavenly Gardener, and feeds you with the bread of heaven?

Some have their portion in the city; their wealth is abundant, and flows to them in constant streams, until they become a very reservoir of gold. But what is gold compared with your God? You could not live on it; your spiritual life could not be sustained by it. Put gold on a troubled conscience--and could it allay its pangs? Apply it to a desponding heart--and see if it could relieve a solitary groan, or give one grief the less? But you have God, and in Him you have more than gold or riches ever could buy!

Some have their portion in that which most men love--applause and fame. But ask yourself: Is not your God more to you than that? What if a myriad trumpets should be loud in your applause--would this prepare you to pass the Jordan of death, or cheer you in prospect of the final judgment? No! there are griefs in life which fame and wealth cannot alleviate; and there is the deep need of a dying hour, for which no riches can provide.

But when you have God for your portion, you have more than all else put together.
In Him every need is met, whether in life or in death.
With God for your portion you are rich indeed, for He will . . .
  supply your real needs,
  comfort your desponding heart,
  assuage your deepest grief,
  guide your steps wisely,
  be with you in the dark valley of death,
and then take you home to Heaven, to enjoy Him as your portion forever!

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!" Psalm 73:26

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
___________________________________________

Ah! how despicable our troubles and trials will seem!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Weeping may endure for a night--but joy comes in the morning!" Psalm 30:5

Christian! If you are in a night of trial, then think of the morrow. Cheer up your heart with the thought of the coming of your Lord. Be patient, for "Lo! He comes with clouds!" Be patient, for you know who has said, "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me!" Revelation 22:12

If you are ever so wretched now remember, "A few more rolling suns at most, will land you on fair Canaan's coast!"
Your head may be crowned with thorny troubles now--but it shall wear a sparkling crown before long.
Your hand may be filled with cares--but it shall sweep the strings of the harp of Heaven soon.
Your garments may be soiled with dust now--but they shall be snow-white by-and-by.
Wait a little longer.

Ah! how despicable our troubles and trials will seem--when we look back upon them from Heaven! Looking at them here, they seem immense; but when we get to Heaven we shall then recount our earthly afflictions as but a flea-bite. Our earthly trials will then seem as light and momentary afflictions. Let us go on boldly; if the night is ever so dark--the morning surely comes! This is more than they can say, who are shut up in the agonies of Hell. Do you know what it is thus to live on the future--to live on expectation--to anticipate Heaven? Happy believer, to have so sure, so comforting a hope.

It may be all dark now--but it will soon be all light.
It may be all trial now--but it will soon be all happiness.

What does it matter, though weeping may endure for a night--when joy comes in the morning!

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal!" 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

[nChrist]

__________________________________________
From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
___________________________________________

One blessing after another!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another!" John 1:16

Our Lord Jesus is ever giving--and does not for a solitary instant withdraw His hand.
As long as there is a vessel of grace not yet full to the brim--the oil shall not be stopped.

He is a sun ever-shining.
He is manna always falling round the camp.
He is a rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life from His smitten side.
The rain of His grace is always dropping.
The river of His bounty is ever-flowing.
The well-spring of His love is constantly overflowing.

As our King can never die--so His grace can never fail.

Daily we pluck His fruit, and daily His branches bend down to our hand with a fresh store of mercy.

Who has ever returned from His door, unblessed?
Who has ever risen from His table, unsatisfied?
Who has ever come from His bosom, un-imparadised?
His mercies are new every morning--and fresh every evening.

Who can know the number of His benefits, or recount His infinite bounties?

Every sand which drops from the glass of time--is but the tardy follower of a myriad of mercies. The wings of our hours are covered with the silver of His kindness, and with the yellow gold of His affection. The river of time bears from the mountains of eternity--the golden sands of His favor.

Who can count the dust of the benefits which He bestows on His redeemed people, or number of His mercies towards us? How shall my soul extol Him--who daily loads us with benefits, and who crowns us with loving-kindness?

O that my praise could be as ceaseless as His bounty! O miserable tongue, how can you be silent?

"Praise the Lord, O my soul! Do not forget all of His benefits!" Psalm 103:2