Leaves of Life Part 73

SEPTEMBER TENTH

William the Conqueror died 1087.

Dr. Thomas Sheridan died 1788.

Mungo Park born 1771.

Mrs. G.o.dwin (Mary Wollstonecraft) died 1797.

Let the wind blow east, west, north, or south, the immortal soul will take its flight to the destined point.

--Thomas Sheridan.

He is void of true taste who strives to have his house admired by decorating it with showish outside; but to adorn our character by gentleness of a communicative temper is a proof of good taste and good nature

--Epictetus.

Let fortune empty her whole quiver on me.

I have a soul that, like an empty s.h.i.+eld, Can take it all, and verge enough for more.

--Thomas Dryden.

The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom.

--2 Timothy 4. 18.

Almighty G.o.d, I bless thee that it is thou who brought me to live on earth; and I rejoice that it is thou who wilt judge my life when thou takest me away. May I be saving thy rich gifts that I may not be found poor; and may I be worthy to receive thine inheritance and hear thee say, "Well done." Amen.

SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH

Battle of Marathon B. C. 490.

William Lowth born 1661.

James Thomson born 1700.

But what is virtue but repose of mind, A pure ethereal calm, that knows no storm; Above the reach of wild ambitious wind, Above the pa.s.sions that this world deform.

--James Thomson.

And if I pray, the only prayer That moves my lips for me Is, "Leave the heart that now I bear, And give me liberty!"

Yes, as my swift days near their goal, 'Tis all that I implore; In life and death, a chainless soul With courage to endure.

--Emily Bronte.

Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward.

--Hebrews 10. 35.

Tender Father, may I pause this morning to look at that which I keep uppermost in my life; and if it may not be worthy of thy esteem, may I be bold enough to revise my ideals. With thy compa.s.sion may I free my heart and mind of all unworthiness, and be given endurance to restore the empty places. Amen.

SEPTEMBER TWELFTH

Jean-Philippe Rameau born 1693.

Griffith Jones died 1786.

Charles Dudley Warner born 1829.

Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires, but according to our powers.

--Amiel.

How good is man's life, the mere living! how fit to employ All the heart and the soul and the senses for ever in joy!

--Robert Browning.

Do something! No man is born with a mortgage on his soul; but every man is born a debtor to Time. Meet this obligation before you find too late that your life is impoverished and you cannot redeem it.

--M.B.S.

Let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.

--Ephesians 4. 28.

My Father, what I have left out of my life I know I cannot recover now. I pray that I may give the best to what is left. Make me deliberate, that I may prove my earnestness. Make me industrious, that I may use my best resources to develop my life and further thy kingdom. Amen.

SEPTEMBER THIRTEENTH

William Cecil born 1520.

Michael de Montaigne died 1592.

General Wolfe died 1759.