It seemed to Adam that Mr. Kennedy might have been enabled to look into his very thoughts, so exactly had he described his feelings during the singing of that hymn.
In all his life, Adam had never realised that he had much to be thankful for. On the contrary, he had been apt to look on himself as an ill-used man, and to say that things had always been against him. But when he heard the preacher begin, not by asking for fresh gifts, but by expressing his thankfulness for those already bestowed, Adam's thoughts were a sort of running comment on his words.
Mr. Kennedy thanked God for life and breath, for health and strength to work, for the rest and food which renewed his powers from day to day, for air and light, for the pure water, the sunshine and rain, for the love and kindness of earthly friends. Not for his own share alone, but on behalf of all who possessed these common every-day mercies.
To Adam Livesey the thanksgiving was a revelation. Why, even he had all these things, and had never thought of being thankful for them, and yet how would it be with him if any of them were taken away?
After all, such gifts were of more account than money.
But the preacher went to heights and depths which Adam could not follow. He thanked God for all who had been enabled to receive the blessed message of the gospel, and prayed that, having heard the word, they might keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. He poured out supplications for those who were still afar off, that they might be brought nigh through the precious blood of Jesus, and know the blessedness of those "who have the Lord for their God."
Adam had a dim sense that he was being prayed for amongst the rest and, though he could not see the meaning of the prayer, or the advantages that were to follow, there was a sort of inward pleading that in some way good might come of it to him and his.
Then there was another hymn, which began—
"Lord, I hear of showers of blessing,
Thou art scattering full and free—
Showers the thirsty land refreshing;
Let some droppings fall on me—
Even me!
"Pass me not, O gracious Father!
Sinful though my heart may be;
Thou might'st leave me, but the rather
Let Thy mercy fall on me."
Again Adam's voice was silent, but his desires were eloquent. He felt that these words, and the verses that followed, were more in harmony with his sense of need than was the joyful song of confidence in the love of Jesus with which the worship had been begun. He did plead for "even me" to have a portion in those blessings of which many around him seemed to know the value, and he waited with eager expectancy for the preacher to say something which should enable him to understand it too.