A Song of Praise

BY very dear Mr. Editor, — Among your “Notes” for the coming month, will you kindly sound one, clear and jubilant, of grateful blessing on behalf of the Book Fund? Nay, a “note” will scarce suffice me, I need psalms of praise, and symphonies of sweetness wherewith to make melody unto the Lord for His great goodness* Tell the dear friends who read The Sword and the Trowel that “my mouth is filled with laughter, and my tongue with singing” at the remembrance of the gracious love which continues to give support, and sustenance, and success to me in my beloved work I am impatient to speak of His mercy, and feel constrained now to call on all who love the Lord to rejoice in my joy, and to aid me in magnifying His dear name. It is only two years since this sweet service was gently and graciously laid on my heart and hands, and yet during that time the Lord has enabled me, though compassed with infirmity, to send forth, like seed corn, many thousands of volumes to aid the toiling labourers in the gospel field. More than ,£2,000 have been received and expended; the money coming “fresh from the mint of heaven,” for God has sent it all; as the dear friends through whom it reaches me must very well know, seeing that I never ask them for their loving gifts. Just as the olive trees in Zechariah’s vision constantly and silently yielded their rich streams to feed the lights of the golden candlestick, even so, as divinely and mysteriously, does the Lord send me the means to provide 4i oil, beaten oil, for the lamps of the sanctuary.”, Ah! dear Mr. Editor, sound the notes of praise for me! I want God’s people to know how very good He is to unworthy me, that they may take comfort and courage from my experience of His tenderness and love. I would I had Miriam’s timbrel in my hand to-day to “sing unto the Lord” withal, and lead out others to sing also; but as that cannot be, I pray you, lift up your voice for me, and “praise the Lord before all the people.”

Yours with true love and il reverence,”

S. Spurgeon.