Leaves of Life Part 78

Heavenly Father, save me from being so poor in spirit, that I will have to be sustained by the bright spirits of others. May I be continually refreshed by the spirit of life that may be found at all times. Amen.

SEPTEMBER TWENTY-EIGHTH

Francis Turner Palgrave born 1824.

Frances E. Willard born 1839.

General John D. French born 1852.

Mary Anderson born 1859.

Unless there is a predominating and overmastering purpose to which all the accessories and incidents of life contribute, the character will be weak, irresolute, uncertain.

--Frances E. Willard.

Life is not an idle ore, But iron dug from central gloom, And heated hot with burning fears, And dipt in baths of hissing tears, And battered with the shocks of doom To shape and use.

--Alfred Tennyson.

He that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.... A double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

--James 1. 6, 8.

O G.o.d, help me to be positive. May I not want to be in so many places, and in so many things, that I can never be found in anything. Help me to know that a purpose secured is worth many attempts, and that to have a character I must build it. Amen.

SEPTEMBER TWENTY-NINTH

Pompey killed B.C. 48.

Robert Lord Clive born 1725.

Horatio Nelson born 1758.

O strange and wild is the world of men Which the eyes of the Lord must see-- With continents, inlands, tribes, and tongues, With mult.i.tudes bond and free!

All kings of the earth bow down to him, And yet--he can think of me.

For none can measure the mind of G.o.d Or the bounds of eternity, He knows each life that has come from him, To the tiniest bird and bee, For the love of his heart is so deep and wide That it takes in even me.

--Mary E. Allbright.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father: but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

--Matthew 10. 29, 30.

Almighty G.o.d, cause me to look out this morning, and open wide my eyes, that I may see what great preparation thou hast made that I might live. May I be ashamed to start wrong and be unworthy of the glory of this day. Amen.

SEPTEMBER THIRTIETH

George Whitefield died 1770.

William Hutton born 1723.

John Dollond died 1761.

Up, up, my soul, the long-spent time redeeming; Sow thou the seeds of better deeds and thought; Light other lamps while yet thy lamp is beaming-- The time is short.

Think of the good thou might'st have done when brightly The suns to thee life's choicest season brought; Hours lost to G.o.d in pleasure pa.s.sing lightly-- The time is short.

If thou hast friends, give them thy best endeavor, Thy warmest impulse, and thy purest thought, Keeping in mind and words and action ever-- The time is short.

--Elizabeth Prentiss.

What is your life? For ye are a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

--James 4. 14.

Loving Father, help me to realize that I am not living in the right way nor the right place if I am discontented, or happy in trifles and untruth. Help me to find my place, and with thy help may I stand firm and confident. Amen.

OCTOBER

The morns are meeker than they were, The nuts are getting brown; The berry's cheek is plumper, The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf, The field a scarlet gown; Lest I should be old-fas.h.i.+oned, I'll put a trinket on.

--Emily d.i.c.kinson.

OCTOBER FIRST

Saint John Viscount Bolingbroke born 1678.

Pierre Corneille died 1684.

Rufus Choate born 1799.