If we complained less and praised more, we would be happier, and God would be more glorified. Let us praise God daily for common mercies—common as we call them, yet so priceless that when deprived of them we are ready to perish. Let us bless God for the eyes that behold the sun, for the health and strength to walk abroad, for the bread we eat, for the clothes we wear. Let us praise him that we are not cast out among the hopeless or confined among the guilty. Let us thank him for liberty, for friends, for family associations and comforts. Let us praise him, in fact, for everything we receive from his bounteous hand—for we deserve little, and yet are most plenteously endowed.

But beloved, the sweetest and loudest note in our songs of praise should be of redeeming love. God's redeeming acts toward his chosen are forever the favorite themes of their praise. If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our sonnets of thanksgiving. We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions, uplifted from the depths of sin in which we were naturally plunged. We have been led to the cross of Christ—our shackles of guilt have been broken off! We are no longer slaves, but children of the living God, and can anticipate the day when we shall be presented before the throne without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.

Even now by faith we wave the palm branch and wrap ourselves in the fair linen which is to be our everlasting array—and shall we not unceasingly give thanks to the Lord our Redeemer?

Child of God, can you be silent? Awake! Awake, you inheritors of glory, and lead your captivity captive as you cry with David: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!" Let the new month begin with new songs.