By INGRATITUDE we mean "unthankfulness," "ungratefulness" (2 Tim. 3 :2) ; in appreciation" (Webster).

Paul teaches in his second letter to Timothy, chapter 3, that such will be the status of people in "the last days," and one has to but look around, in order to see this on every hand. Surely, we are living in just such times as portrayed by the Apostle. I believe this is one of the outstanding sins of our time. Recent developments have caused me to realize this more vividly than ever before. However, ingratitude is not confined entirely to the present time. Let us look into the past for some examples.

I believe it is possible to begin with the dawn of creation for examples of this characteristic, which is so prevalent in the human family, but it will suffice now to begin with the advent of the Son of God into this world. Was He appreciated by the human family? Was He appreciated by the people of God? Nay, verily. "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not" (Jno. 1 :11). As we consider the wonderful blessings of God bestowed upon the human family in the sending of His Son into this sin-cursed earth, we are astounded at the ingratitude apparent. This however, was foretold by the Savior, in a parable (Luke 20:9-17), concerning, "A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen," sending his "servants" to gather the fruits, but they were beaten. Finally, he sends his "beloved son," but they "killed him," casting him out. Jesus informed them that the lord of the vineyard would destroy such wicked and ungrateful husbandmen and give the vineyard to others. He concludes, "The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner." Their ingratitude could not make the purpose of God of none effect. What love! What loving kindness! What blessings, both temporal and spiritual! Finally, what sacrifice by the Son of God! Then, behold how unthankful, ungrateful; yea, what ingratitude! So apparent to the Son of God was this ingratitude, That He was heard to say, "The foxes have holes and the birds have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head." Although He "came to minister unto," which He did profusely, finally dying for all, yet in his dying hour, he was refused even a drink of water.

I now think of that righteous, benevolent, merciful, self-sacrificing man of God. Stephen, as he poured out his life in kind and righteous deeds; only to be stoned to death, reaching the climax as he prayed for those who so cruelly put him to death. How unthankful, ungrateful, and what ingratitude by that mob! I doubt seriously if his own brethren really appreciated him until after he was taken away from them.

Next before my mind passes the life and example of one of the most outstanding Bible characters, the Apostle Paul. If I should be allowed to be partial or to love and admire one apostle more than another, it would be Paul. So close did he follow the Savior that he could say: "Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). His entire life after his conversion was one of service and sacrifice, but he met with the same ingratitude as others. He said:

"For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things" (2 Cor. 11:5, 6); "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? "(2 Cor. 11 :23-29). Was this outpouring of service and sacrifice appreciated by his brethren, or did he feel, as possibly every gospel preacher feels at times, that his efforts were not appreciated, receiving from his own brethren that same thing—ingratitude? Hear him: "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved" (2 Cor. 12:15). "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Gal. 4:16). And, it is the same inappreciation, experienced by our Lord et al.

The Campbells, Stone, Smith, et al, of the Reformers, were not appreciated in life as they should have been and as they deserved. They are, no doubt, appreciated more now than while living. They rendered a service so vital, that it seems they would have been appreciated, but alas!

As a rule the elders, teachers, song leaders, personal workers, in the home congregation are not appreciated, nor their life of sacrifice, until, if at all, they are removed by death or move away. For their invaluable service to the cause of Christ and to humanity, they generally receive but little, except criticism, knocks, and many times slander. If their praise is ever sung by their brethren, it is generally after they are removed by death. What ingratitude!

The gospel preacher, who sacrifices his home, loved ones, friends, and himself, to preach the gospel to the lost, receives as a rule, very little in this life but ingratitude at the hands of the world and his own brethren (Thank God, for the promised reward in heaven!). This is especially true of the home preacher by the home congregation. Jesus knew this and foretold us, "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country." The brethren, generally did not appreciate Brother Harper as they should while he was yet with us. We sang his praise after his death. The church here did not realize what Brother Gay and family were worth to the church until they moved away. It seems we appreciate nothing while we have it. Oh, what ingratitude! Are we all guilty?