March 25

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me.—Ps. 1. 23.

DO I feel the importance of praise as well as of prayer? And when blessings are bestowed in answer to prayer, do I bring the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for their bestowment? Is it the great aim of my life to glorify God? May I not glorify him by a cheerful and grateful spirit, daily acknowledging his goodness, and praising him for all his mercies both temporal and spiritual?

Cheerfulness with thankfulness of spirit fills the soul full of harmony. It makes and publishes glorifications of God. When the oil of gladness runs over it makes bright emissions of light and holy fires of worship, reaching up to the cloud and making joy round about it.—BISHOP TAYLOR.

Let not thy praises be transient—a fit of music, and then thy harp hung by the wall till another gaudy day of some remarkable providence makes thee take it down. God comes not guest-wise to his saints' house, but to dwell with them. David took this up for a life work: "As long as I live, I will praise thee."—GURYALL.

Sing of his dying love;

Sing of his rising power;

Sing how he intercedes above,

For us, whose sins he bore.

Sing, till we feel our hearts

Ascending with our tongues;

Sing, till the love of sin departs,

And grace inspires our songs.

—W. HAMMOND.