Leaves of Life Part 24

--Thomas Carlyle.

Deliberate much before you say and do anything; for it will not be in your power to recall what is said or done.

--Epictetus.

Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips.

--Psalm 141. 3.

My Lord, make me a lover of the truth. Make me careful of my thoughts, and the words I would speak, that I may not think selfishly and speak cruelly, but keep myself holy unto thee. Amen.

MARCH TWENTY-FOURTH

Queen Elizabeth died 1603.

f.a.n.n.y Crosby born 1820.

Henry W. Longfellow died 1882.

Sir Edwin Arnold died 1904.

Every quivering tongue of flame Seems to murmur some great name, Seems to say to me "Aspire!"

No endeavor is in vain; Its reward is in the doing, And the rapture of pursuing Is the prize of vanquished gain.

--Henry W. Longfellow.

Never be sad or desponding If thou hast faith to believe; Grace for the duties before thee Ask of thy G.o.d and receive.

--f.a.n.n.y Crosby.

I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soul thirsteth after thee, as a weary land.

--Psalm 143. 6.

Almighty G.o.d, make me conscious of my weaknesses, and make me ashamed of my indulgences. Give me a victory over self; and may I consider more what I put in my life. May I be eager for that which will inspire me for greater aspirations. Amen.

MARCH TWENTY-FIFTH

Archbishop John Williams born 1582.

Joachim Murat born 1771.

Anna Seward died 1809.

How awful is the thought of the wonders underground, Of the mystic changes wrought in the silent, dark profound!

How each thing upward tends by necessity decreed, And the world's support depends on the shooting of a seed!

The summer's in her ark, and this sunny-pinioned day Is commissioned to remark whether Winter holds her sway: Go back, thou dove of peace, with myrtle on thy wing, Say that floods and tempests cease, and the world is ripe for Spring.

--Horace Smith.

I should never have made my success in life if I had not bestowed upon the least thing I have ever undertaken the same attention and care that I have bestowed upon the greatest.

--Charles d.i.c.kens.

Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost.

--John 6. 12.

Loving Father, cause me to learn from nature that to have perfection I must be attentive at the beginning of growth. Help me to select with care the soil wherein I plant; and to weed and cultivate my life that it may grow to beauty and usefulness. Amen.

MARCH TWENTY-SIXTH

Konrad von Gesner born 1516.

W. E. H. Lecky born 1838.

Gustave Guillaumet born 1840.

Walt Whitman died 1892.

Every man takes care that his neighbor shall not cheat him, but a day comes when he begins to care that he do not cheat his neighbor.

Then all goes well. He has changed his market-cart into a chariot of the sun.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson.

He that is unacquainted with the nature of the world must be at a loss to know where he is. And he that cannot tell the ends he was made for is ignorant both of himself and the world too.

--Marcus Aurelius.

Give diligence to present thyself approved unto G.o.d, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

--2 Timothy 2. 15.

Almighty G.o.d, may I not only approve of justice and kindness, but practice it. Grant that I may be attentive to the call of work and steadfast in completing it. May I be sincere to those who are dear to me, and never falter in my support to those who are dependent upon me.

Amen.