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I. Gratitude is a debt that is due in justice for favours bestowed gratuitously. Action and reaction are equal; and beneficence should produce its reaction in kindly feeling, thanksgiving, and a return of good offices. This debt of justice is due principally to God on account of the immensity and absolute gratuitousness of His gifts, and also to those of our brethren who have done us any service. At all times and among all men the virtue of gratitude has been highly esteemed; and ingratitude has been regarded as a peculiarly disgraceful vice, as contrary to the primary instincts of nature, and as a sign of a mean and contemptible character. There are few of the beasts even that are insensible to this emotion. Yet there are some men who are abnormally sensitive to the smallest slight or sign of wrong done to them, and are eager to do themselves justice, as they account it, by revenge; and at the same time they can receive favours, without thinking of the justice which requires at least an acknowledgment of them, and remembrance and requital. Such is the attitude which many take up towards their Supreme Lover and Benefactor. The talents they have received they turn against the Giver. His mercy they insult, because they think they can do so with impunity. They have received nothing but kindness, and they requite it with hatred and rebellion, because they are invited to lives of holiness and restraint. There is nothing more degraded and horrible on earth.
II. Another virtue is that of veracity and sincerity. This is required of men in their dealings one with another, not only in imitation of the Truth of God, but also as a debt of justice to our fellow-men, which they have a right to expect of us. This is a service which is necessary for social life, and therefore each is bound to render it. In order that each one may help and be helped, in order that the numerous wheels of the machine may work in correspondence with one another, there must be security in action arising from trust and confidence in other men. It is a duty to God, and to society, and to each person that men should show the reality of things and of their own sentiments as they are. Concealment, hypocrisy, pretences, lying, fraud, insincerity, are all so many obstacles to the current of free communication and progress; they constitute a state of warfare instead of reciprocal helpfulness between men; and energies which ought to be productive are squandered in neutralizing other energies, in watching and circumventing, and in warding off dangers which ought not to exist. These injustices thwart their own object; devised for personal advantage, they injure the community and all who practise them. Do your best to raise the degraded tone of the world by rigid integrity and candour.
III. Kindliness is a virtue both of inward dispositions and of outward demeanour; it is the reality which underlies the forms of politeness, and is the expression of united respect and charity. Kindliness is the small change of Christian intercourse: it is one of the lesser virtues, but it is in more constant requisition than many nobler ones, and does more perhaps to make the wheels of life run easily. It is at least as important for extending the work of God on earth as power and splendid abilities in speech and action. Thus it is like the small coinage of a country, which is a matter of convenience rather than of wealth, and yet is required in order to make wealth tractable. This was one of the distinctive characteristics of Our Lord; He was meek and humble of heart, sweet and mild towards all, full of charm of manner, consideration and compassion; and thus He conciliated hearts more than by His divine dignity, irresistible speech, and miraculous power. Practise this virtue, not as a matter of temperament or convenience, but as a duty of justice incumbent on all members of human society.
All for Jesus, all for Mary.
Such shall be our password gentle reader.
Til next time.
