| Making the Most of Life |
Chapter 20 |
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There is no true life without its sacred memorial of special blessing or good. There is something that tells of favour, of deliverance, of help, of influence, of teaching, of great kindness. There is some spot, some quiet walk, some room, some book, and some face, that always recalls sweet memories. There is something that is precious to us because in some way it marks a holy place in life’s journey. Most of us understand that loving interest of Zaccheus in his old tree, and can believe the little fancy to be even true. In what life is there no place that is always kept green in memory, because there a sweet blessing was received?
Yet there seem to be many who forget their benefits. There is much ingratitude in the world. It may not be as universal as some would have us believe. There surely are many who carry in their hearts, undimmed for long years, the memory of benefits and kindnesses received from friends, and who never cease to be grateful and to show their gratitude. Wordsworth wrote:–
“I’ve heard of hearts unkind,
Kind deeds with coldness still returning;
Alas! The gratitude of men
Hath left me oftener mourning.”
However, Archdeacon Farrar, referring to these words, says, “If Wordsworth found gratitude a common virtue, his experience must have been exceptional.” There certainly are hearts unkind that do return coldness for kind deeds. There are children who forget the love and sacrifices of their parents and repay their countless kindnesses, not with grateful affection, honour, obedience, thoughtfulness, and service, but with disregard, indifference, disobedience, dishonour, sometimes even with shameful neglect and unkindness.
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