Leaves of Life Part 67

Robert Herrick born 1591.

John and Cornelius De Witt killed 1672.

Francis Asbury born 1745.

Henry P. Liddon born 1829.

Benjamin Harrison, Ohio, twenty-third President United States, born 1833.

The busy world shoves angrily aside The man who stands with arms akimbo set Until occasion tells him what to do; And he who waits to have his task marked out Shall die and leave his errand unfulfilled.

--James Russell Lowell.

Awake, arise! the hour is late!

Angels are knocking at thy door!

They are in haste and cannot wait, And once departed come no more.

--Henry W. Longfellow.

Boast not thyself of to-morrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

--Proverbs 27. 1.

Gracious Father, grant that I may not tarry so long, that when I arrive I will hear, "Too late, too late, ye cannot enter now"; but may I be so persistent with every day that when I arrive I may be ready as well as on time. Amen.

AUGUST TWENTY-FIRST

Lady Mary Montagu died 1762.

Jules Michelet born 1798.

John Tyndall born 1820.

Let us never be afraid of innocent joy; G.o.d is good and what he does is well done; resign yourself to everything, even happiness; ask for the spirit of sacrifice, of detachment, of renunciation, and above all, for the spirit of joy and grat.i.tude.

--Amiel.

That's the wise thrush; He sings each song twice over, Lest you should think he never could recapture The first fine careless rapture!

--Robert Browning.

And these things we write, that our joy may be made full.

--1 John 1. 4.

Lord G.o.d, help me to keep the things under my feet that are inclined to destroy happiness. Show me clearly the line which divides right and wrong, that I may not fear the censure of the world. Help me to act with good judgment and be calm in obeying thy laws. Amen.

AUGUST TWENTY-SECOND

John B. Gough born 1817.

Warren Hastings died 1818.

G. W. De Long born 1844.

I never saw a moor, I never saw the sea; Yet know I how a heather looks And what a wave must be.

I never spoke with G.o.d, Nor visited in heaven; Yet certain am I of the spot As if the chart were given.

--Emily d.i.c.kinson.

I don't want to possess a faith; I want a faith which will possess me.

--Charles Kingsley.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.

--Zechariah 4. 6.

My Father, may there be no room in my soul for doubt. Help me to be cautious and careful that my own neglect and carelessness may not cause the loss of my faith. May I be trustful as I look for the great light that guides me over the uncertain way. Amen.

AUGUST TWENTY-THIRD

Rowland Hill born 1744.

Louis XVI born 1754.

William E. Henley born 1849.

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever G.o.ds may be For my unconquerable soul.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

--W. E. Henley.

A man who has borne himself honorably through a whole life makes an action honorable which might appear ambiguous in others.

--Goethe.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable.