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In Recognizing God as the Giver of All Gifts, May 25
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the
God of our salvation.
Psalm 68:19
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Under the Jewish economy, on the birth of children an offering was
made to God, by His own appointment. Now we see parents taking special
pains to present gifts to their children upon their birthdays; they make this
an occasion of honoring the child, as though honor were due to the human
being.... For life, health, food, and clothing, no less than for the hope of
eternal life, we are indebted to the Giver of all mercies; and it is due to
God to recognize His gifts, and to present our offerings of gratitude to our
greatest benefactor. These birthday gifts are recognized in heaven.
If Christian parents had accustomed their children to present offerings
to God in acknowledgment of His great gift of salvation to men, how
different would be the character of the young. Their minds would have
been called away from themselves to the blessed Saviour. They would
have been taught to feel that He loved them, and that He is the source of
all blessing; that He is their hope of happiness and eternal life.
If this kind of education had been given to our children, we should
today see far less selfishness, far less envy and jealousy; we should have
more manly young men and womanly young women. We should see the
youth coming up with moral strength, with pure principles, with well-
balanced minds and lovely characters, because the Model would be ever
before them; they would be impressed with the importance of copying
the excellence of Jesus, the Pattern.... God wants the youth and those of
mature age to look to Him, to believe in Jesus Christ whom He has sent,
and to have Him abiding in the heart; then a new life will quicken every
faculty of the being. The divine Comforter will be with them, to strengthen
them in their weakness, and guide them in their perplexity.... It will make
plain to them the path of life
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The Review and Herald, December 9, 1890
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