nches where he had sat that day when he
first saw Jesus. After this he turned away, and with a smile of
gratitude went back to his home. His wife afterward referred to the
matter and asked him why he took such care of the old tree. His quiet
answer was, "It was that tree which brought me to him whom my soul
loveth."

There is no true life without its sacred memorial of special blessing
or good. There is something that tells of favor, of deliverance, of
help, of influence, of teaching, of great kindness. There is some
spot, some quiet walk, some room, some book, some face, that always
recalls sweet memories. There is something that is precious to us
because in some way it marks a holy place in life's journey. Most of
us understand that loving interest of Zaccheus in his old tree, and can
believe the little fancy to be even true. In what life is there no
place that is always kept green in memory, because there a sweet
blessing was received?

Yet there seem to be many who forget their benefits. There is much
ingratitude in the world. It may not be so universal as some would
have us believe. There surely are many who carry in their hearts,
undimmed for long years, the memory of benefits and kindnesses received
from friends, and who never cease to be grateful and to show their
gratitude. Wordsworth wrote:--

"I've heard of hearts unkind,
Kind deeds with coldness still returning;
Alas! the gratitude of men
Hath left me oftener mourning."

However, Archdeacon Farrar, referring to these words, says, "If
Wordsworth found gratitude a common virtue, his experience must have
been exceptional." There certainly are hearts unkind that do return
coldness for kind deeds. There are children who forget the love and
sacrifices of their parents and repay their countless kindnesses, not
with grateful affection, honor, obedience, thoughtfulness, and service,
but with disregard, indifference, disobedience, dishonor, sometimes
even with shameful neglect and unkindness. There are those who receive
help from friends in unnumbered ways, through years, help that brings
to them great aid in life--promotion, advancement, improvement in
character, widening of privileges and opportunities, tender kindness
that warms, blesses, and inspires the heart, and enriches, refines, and
ennobles the life--who yet seem never to recognize or appreciate the
benefit and the good they receive. They appear to feel no obligation,
no th