Thus we knelt, uncle Ben, his wife, and I, poor slaves in the chains ofbondage, really and earnestly thanking God for the many blessings wereceived. Strange, was it not? when men and women rolling in wealth andall the luxuries and happiness that wealth could purchase, did not evendeign to notice the source from whence all their blessings flowed. Theyhad life and liberty, and were unrestrained in the pursuit of happiness,yet not once did they thank the great Giver of all their good. Then whathad we, poor wretches, to thank God for? For everything we enjoyed,--forlife, for the blessed plan of salvation, for our senses of seeing,hearing, and feeling, for our hearts with which to love him, for ourhumanity, for the great gifts of sunshine, rain, regulated seasons,the moon, the stars, the earth, the trees, the brooks, therivers,--everything truly enjoyable we thanked God for. We thanked himfor health and strength to do his work. Then we had a great deal tothank Almighty God for, although slaves. How many of you ever think tothank God for sunshine or for reason? Let me illustrate. A gentlemanwas passing along the highway, when he was met by a poor maniac, whomaccosted him, saying, "What do you thank God for?" The gentleman beingsurprised by the abrupt question did not reply immediately, when themaniac continued, "Then thank God for your reason; mine is gone; I'mmad--a maniac." This was something the gentleman had never thought ofbefore, and it opened to his mind an entirely very recent source ofthankfulness. We are apt to forget that we are not slaves, not blind,deaf, or dumb, and not insane; yet should we lose any one of our fivesenses we would then know how to be thankful for and appreciate thatsense should we regain it. Then thank God for everything, your somewhatexistence included. Suppose the sun would stop inside his course and notshine on the earth but for one day. What consternation and grief therewould be throughout the world! Then suppose that after twenty-four hoursthe sun should burst upon us in all his refulgence and gloriousmagnificence. What a shout of joy would greet his appearance, and gladhearts would pour out thanks upon thanks to the great Giver for theneedful sunshine. Then let us be thankful for all the great blessingsbestowed upon us by our heavenly Father, and serve him with all ourhearts, in whatever position in life we may be placed. Uncle Ben and Idid _then_, and we do _yet_.