CHAPTER VIII.

RECOVERY.

"It is good for me that I have been in trouble, that I may learn Thy statutes." PSALM cxix. 71

IT is natural to be thankful when recovery has set in. And you will do well to encourage the feeling by remembering that it is due to God's blessing on the means which have been used; and by repeating such words as those of PSALMS XXXIV and CIII.

The next thought may well be, how to show your thankfulness in something besides words. The most practical proof, and the one which is often pressed upon men in Holy Scripture, is a Thank-offering. Think at once about the object to which you will give it; and the amount which you will feel a pleasure in giving. And look forward to the opportunity of giving it.

Another proof which should never be omitted, because it is a testimony to others, is that of

going to God's House1 as soon as possible. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." And if you were a communicant before, or if sickness has taught you to understand the blessing of communion, you will feel that the Holy Communion is the service in which you most want to join, as your service of Thanksgiving.

Having thanked God from your heart, for all that He has done for you in your sickness, the next thought will be about the good resolutions and vows that you have made. Remember the words of Solomon, "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." "Defer not to pay it." Set to work at once to do what you have resolved to do. Pray earnestly and daily for grace to keep up to the standard which you have set yourself. Especially pray about it at Holy Communion. And be watchful.

But perhaps you have not made any particular

1 If you have been prayed for in church, you will make known to the clergyman your desire to return thanks for recovery, that he may mention your name in the General Thanksgiving.

resolution or vow in your sickness.

If so, it is well, before you go back to your usual life in the world, seriously to renew the thought of your state towards God-that God has made you His child, and has prepared the Home for you above; and that you have to fight the good fight of faith against Satan, the world and the flesh, in order to gain the crown of life. Then say with Joshua of old, " As for me and my house we will serve the Lord;" and go forth to your accustomed duties with earnest, and yet humble, determination to show this by your life amongst

men.

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Thanksgiving for Recovery.

MOST merciful Father, who sparest when we deserve punishment, and in Thy wrath thinkest upon mercy; I thank Thee for all Thy goodness to me in my sickness; for the help and comfort Thou hast given me in the hours of weakness and pain; and for restoring me again to health and strength. Let my heart be filled with thankfulness, and my mouth with praise. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy Name.

And now, O Lord, I pray Thee to add this to all Thy other mercies, that the good effects of this sickness may be manifest in my life; that through Thy continual help I may love and serve Thee

fathfully; and at the last depart in peace: through the merits of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If you have examined your life by the rule of God's Commandments, these prayers by Bishop Ken will seem practically useful.

Prayer for Grace to do our Duty towards God.

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LORD God, we beseech Thee, give us grace to

believe in Thee, to fear Thee, and to love Thee with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, and with all our strength; to worship Thee, to give Thee thanks, to put our whole trust in Thee, to call upon Thee, to honour Thy holy name and Thy word, and to serve Thee truly all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Grace to do our Duty towards our Neighbour.

0 LORD, we beseech Thee, give us grace to love

our neighbour as ourselves, and to do unto all men as we would they should do unto us; to love, honour, and succour our parents, to honour and obey the Queen and all that are put in authority under her; to submit ourselves to all our governors, teachers, spiritual pastors, and masters; to order ourselves lowly and reverently to all our betters; to hurt nobody by word or deed; to be true and

just in all our dealings; to bear no malice nor hatred in our hearts; to keep our hands from picking and stealing, and our tongues from evil speaking, lying, and slandering; to keep our bodies in temperance, soberness, and chastity; and not to covet or desire other men's goods, but to learn and labour truly to get our own living, and to do our duty in that state of life unto which it may please Thee to call us; and this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake our Lord. Amen.

PSALM XXXIV. Benedicam Domino.

I WILL alway give thanks unto the Lord: His praise shall ever be in my mouth.

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O praise the Lord with me: and let us magnify His Name together.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me : yea, He delivered me out of all my fear.

They had an eye unto Him, and were lightened : and their faces were not ashamed.

Lo, the poor crieth, and the Lord heareth him : yea, and saveth him out of all his troubles,

The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them.

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O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.

O fear the Lord, ye that are His saints: for they that fear Him lack nothing.