Leaves of Life Part 6

--Robert L. Stevenson.

So to the calmly gathered thought The innermost of life is taught, The mystery dimly understood, That love of G.o.d is love of good: That to be saved is only this-- Salvation from our selfishness.

--John Greenleaf Whittier.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed.

--Romans 13. 10, 11.

Tender Father, may I not attempt to serve life for my own gratification. May I not interpret love through vanity, but from reality. Make me worth while, that I may be relied upon for my pledges, and needed for my services. Amen.

JANUARY TWENTY-SECOND

Andrea del Sarto died 1531.

Francis Bacon born 1561.

Lord George Byron born 1788.

Queen Victoria died 1901.

Father of light! to thee I call, My soul is dark within: Thou who canst mark the sparrow's fall, Avert the death of sin, Thou who canst guide the wandering star, Who calm'st the elemental war, Whose mantle is yon boundless sky, My thoughts, my words, my crimes forgive; And since I soon must cease to live, Instruct me how to die.

--Lord Byron.

Knowledge, whether it descend from divine inspiration or spring from human sense, would soon perish and vanish to oblivion if it were not preserved in books, traditions, conferences, and places appointed.

--Francis Bacon.

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein.

--Revelation 1. 3.

Almighty G.o.d, I would have thy counsel as I read the words and follow the deeds of helpful lives, that I may be inspired to n.o.bler activities. Give me the desire to know more of thy holy word, that I may have a better knowledge of life. Amen.

JANUARY TWENTY-THIRD

John Hanc.o.c.k born 1737.

William Pitt died 1806.

Charles Kingsley died 1875.

Paul Gustave Dore died 1883.

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful. Welcome it in every fair face, every fair sky, every fair flower, and thank Him for it, who is the fountain of all loveliness.

--Charles Kingsley.

Nature never did betray The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege Through all the years of this life, to lead, From joy to joy; for she can so impress With quietness and beauty, and so feed With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues, * * * * *

Nor all the dreary intercourse of daily life, Shall e'er prevail against us or disturb Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold Is full of blessings.

--William Wordsworth.

Is not G.o.d in the height of heaven?

And behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

And thou sayest, What doth G.o.d know?

Can he judge through the thick darkness?

--Job 22. 12, 13.

Lord G.o.d, I pray that I may not overlook thy blessings of beauty while endeavoring to perform my duties. Guide me that I may not struggle to be where thou wouldst not have me go. Amen.

JANUARY TWENTY-FOURTH

Charles Earl of Dorset born 1637.

Frederick the Great born 1712.

Charles James Fox born 1749.

The great G.o.ds pa.s.s through the great Time-hall, Stately and high; The little men climb the low clay wall To gape and spy; "We wait for the G.o.ds," the little men cry, "But these are our brothers pa.s.sing by."

The great G.o.ds pa.s.s through the great Time-hall; Who can see?

The little men nod by the low clay wall, So tired they be; '"Tis weary waiting for G.o.ds," they yawn, "There's a world o' men, but the G.o.ds are gone."

--A.H. Begbie.

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

--Luke 24. 16.

My Father, may I be careful of getting weary and missing the best through the need of rest. Intensify my desire for the songs and glorious ways, that I may not settle into dullness and slumber, while others pa.s.s on in the light. I pray for a keener sense of the possessions made possible by the deeds and cares of n.o.ble men and women. Amen.

JANUARY TWENTY-FIFTH