06. The true Believer thanks God for the blessing of health

EXHORTATION.

"It is better for a man to be poor, and hale and hearty withal, than to be rich and unhealthy. To be hale and hearty is better than gold, and a hale body is better than great wealth. There is no wealth to be compared unto a hale body, and no joy like the joy of the heart." Jesus Sirach xxx. 14, 15, 16. As God dispenses various gifts among men, spiritual and corporal, so of corporal gifts, health may be reckoned as one of the chief. A hale man is a happy man, if he be pious also; but he is most unhappy, if he be ungodly. That a hale man is happy, appears in this, that he can serve God and his neighbor without hindrance, follow his occupation, and do much good. But if a man does not add piety to his health, he most grossly abuses this precious gift for the commission of sin, shame and wickedness. O how wholesome would it be for many a man to be lame, dumb, blind, or afflicted with suffering, so that he could not practise so many sins with his feet, tongue, eyes and body, for a heavy responsibility and chastisement waits on such abuse of hale and sound limbs. A true Christian acknowledges this great blessing of health. 1. When he looks at his hale limbs, he thanks God therefor.

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THE TRUE BELIEVER THANKS GOD

2. He turns his health to account in the service of God, and in constant attendance at the House of God, and in growth in the faith.

3. He serves his neighbor.

4. He fulfils the duties of his occupation faithfully and honestly.

5. He understands that health is not an everlasting or permanent blessing, and that the beck of the Lord may bring on pains, sickness, prostration and disease. 6. He is therefore on his guard not to abuse his health in wantonness, recklessness or malice, lest, when the day of disease and suffering arrives, the voice of conscience should say: This is a chastisement of God for the abuse of thy health. 7. A pious Christian prays diligently in the days of health, because he knows not whether he shall have strength do so in the days of evil; and thus his health is turned to good account. Oh, thou gracious and merciful God! How great is thy love and goodness which thou dost manifest unto me, not only in keeping me in thy protection and favor, but in permitting me to close and to commence year after year in health and strength. Well, my God! I acknowledge that this is one of the good gifts which come from FOR THE BLESSING OF HEALTH.

above, from thee, Oh, father of light! Lord! Lord! Who am I, that thou should'st send such mercies down upon me? Do I not daily see before my eyes, men who are sickly, weak and feeble? Do I not hear many complain that they are compelled to spend their lives in painful and tedious diseases on a sick bed, who yet, are perhaps much more godly and pious than I, and pray more devoutly than I, while to me thou givest good health and strength. Oh Lord! I am far too lowly for the mercies which thou hast heretofore done and still doest unto me. Preserve me, O my dear Lord, that I may not abuse this precious gift in luxury, wantonness, pride and insolence, but let me know that thou wilt thereby encourage me to thankfulness and piety. Help me that to the end of my days I may apply my health to thy honor and praise, to the profit of my neighbors, and the accomplishment of the duties of my occupation. Keep my health and strong limbs for thy good will and purpose, that I may visit thy house freely and zealously, and may raise hymns of thanks and praise in thy temple. Oh my God! give me power and strength also to increase in my inward man, to be whole in the faith, lusty in the spirit, patient in trial, devout in prayer, sincere in the love of thee and of my neighbor, Christian in life, cheerful in hope, and unterrified in death. O THANKS GOD FOR THE BLESSING OF HEALTH.

sanctify me, bless me, and let thy good spirit lead me on an even path. O God! thou pious

God! thou well spring of all good gifts, without whom is nothing which is, of whom we have all things, give me health of body, and that in my hale body may dwell an untarnished soul and a pure conscience. Amen.

1. If the clouds of sorrow leave thee,

Fortune's sunshine thee betide,

Tremble lest thy heart deceive thee,

With the lying voice of pride.

On thy fortune's giddy tower

Think of thy old lowly bower;

Think, when thou art proud and glad,

Of the times when thou wert sad.

2. When thy cheeks are bright and rosy

Think they once were blanched with pain;

When thy couch is smooth and cosy

Think thou hast in anguish lain.

When the fever has departed,

Bear in mind how thou hast smarted;

Think, when thou art proud and glad,

Of the times when thou wert sad.

3. Or if wealth in currents golden

Enter at thy open door,

Oft bethink thee of the olden

Bitter times when thou wert poor

MORNING PRAYER FOR TUESDAY.

Do not think the wretched greedy

That remind thee thou wert needy;

Think, when thou art proud and glad,

Of the times when thou wert sad.

4. Thoughts like these, so pure and holy,

In the mind still entertain;

Let them keep thy spirit lowly

And preserve thee from disdain.

Watch thy heart, that thou reliest

Not on self, but on the Highest.

Those who to themselves are small,

God doth rate them over all.

MORNING PRAYER FOR TUESDAY.

"Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." O thou merciful God! whose goodness and truth are near every morning, with heart and mouth I give thee thanks and praise, that thou hast let me rise this morning from my bed in good health, and hast preserved my body from harm, and my soul from sin. How great is thy goodness, Lord!

that men are so surely guarded under the shadow of thy wings. After the darkness I behold once more the light of the sun; give me grace that I may walk all this day in thy light, and shun all the works of darkness. I look upon that day as lost, on which I have served the world, and have shaped my lips, my body and

MORNING PRAYER FOR TUESDAY.

my thoughts, by the habits and follies of the world, for which I shall be called to give a dread account one day before thy tribunal. I would rather offer myself entirely to thy service, in soul and body; let me wish nothing, do nothing, and think nothing but what is pleasing unto thee, that the whole day may be hallowed unto thee. Let me always live, speak and act, as though I must die before nightfall. Give me good counsel when I need counsel, direct my purposes and undertakings by thy will. Kindle the flame of divine love in my soul, so that this day I may show my faith by my works, and persevere in the love of thee and my neighbor, and reach the evening with an unscarred conscience. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee. Let the prayer of the afflicted, the downcast and the sick, and the prayer of my house, and of all the pious, find a hearing at the throne of thy grace. Yea, direct all my life forever according to thy will, and when I come to surrender it unto the jaws of death, let me die in peace and joy, and after death inherit the bliss of eternal life. Amen. REJOICES THAT HE WAS BORN AGAIN.