THE FAMILY ALTAR
July 21.
"My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe
My ways." Prov. 23:26.
Infinite Love and Purity here pleads for the gift of our im-
pure, sin-corrupted hearts. 0 what loving condescension of the
holy God ! We often think ourselves so good and virtuous because
in our blind conceit we do not know ourselves, our own evil hearts.
But is it not a true picture which Jesus draws of the human
heart, and therefore also of our heart, when He says, Matthew
15, 19 : "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adul-
teries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" ? And these
vile hearts of ours the pure and holy God asks as a gift from us !
Why ? 0 Love Divine, all love excelling ! He would cleanse them
from their defiling deadly sins and make them His holy abode
where He would dwell with all His blessing, purifying, saving love.
Can we refuse to give Him these sinful hearts of ours, to love
Him, and to go the ways He teaches us in His holy Law and leads
us in His all-wise and benevolent dispensations ? Look to the cross
on Calvary. See how God Himself there, in His dear Son, dies
and atones for our sins that we might not die, but live, live in His
holy, blessed communion in this world and in the world to come.
Oh, what do so many wayward sons and daughters gain who give
their hearts to the fickle, sinful world, instead of giving them to
their loving God and Savior! Alas, they gain only an evil con-
science, very often a life of bitter remorse and shame, and, oh,
the pity, the pity, like Judas, even a suicide's grave ! Oh, may
we all this day and all other days of our life listen to the pleading
of our merciful God and give our hearts to Him in loving and
obedient faith. Happy shall we be then and blessed forevermore.
Soul, what return has God, thy Savior,
For all He gives thee day by day?
0 hast thou in thy gift a favor
That can delight and please Him? — say!
The best of offerings He requires;
Give Him thy heart with its desires.
Accept the gift which Thou requirest,
The first-fruits of my heart, O God!
The off'rings Thou so much desirest,
And dearly paid'st for with Thy blood;
To Thee alone I now resign
My heart, to be forever Thine.
Whom should I give my heart's affection
But Thee, who givest Thine to faith?
Thy fervent love is my protection :
Lord, Thou hast loved me unto death.
My heart with Thine shall ever be
One heart throughout eternity.
