Yet not only on account of this should consecrating prayer be offered when church contributions are taken, but also on account of the money that is thoughtlessly, and often unwillingly, thrown into the contribution box. It would be an interesting revelation to have placed before us just what proportion of the so-called benevolent contributions is consciously given as an offering to the Lord. I fear it would be startlingly small. Now, all this money that is thrown into the Lord’s treasury, by givers who have no higher prompting than that which governs them when they toss a nickel to an organ-grinder on the street, needs to be consecrated. It is rather sarcastic to couple the word “benevolent” with such contributions; they sadly need prayer before they go out on their mission of benevolence. Consecrating prayer would tend to correct this great evil by inspiring thoughtfulness. “How much owest thou thy Lord?” would have a recognized place in deciding the amount to be given. The Lord is a party in the transaction. In the persons of the poor and the perishing, He stands over against the treasury, and rightfully asks for evidence of loyalty to His cause. Are crumbs that fall from an over-supplied table, are drops that trickle from an overflowing cup, a sufficient evidence? Christ knows the heart. Think of what it is to bring to Him the mere waste of our plenty, and call that charity. There is a possibility of actual sin here, whose guilt is but increased by explanation. It was given thoughtlessly—no reference to the debt owed, no reference given to the needs of the cause to be aided—thoughtlessly! That is precisely where the Christian conscience should sting most keenly. For thoughtlessness in what is paid to Christ, is a most aggravated form of sin. Grocery bills, clothing bills, rent and taxes shall be paid with thoughtful reference to what is justly due, and the world shall label him dishonest who tries even to quibble about the point; but upon this transcendently higher plane of obligation, involving the question of what the soul owes its God and Saviour, many Christian men will do what, on the lower plane, they would scorn as highly dishonorable. Prayerful thoughtfulness will work reform in this respect, and develop a more genuinely benevolent Christian character.