Leaves of Life Part 8

My Father, I thank thee that thou hast endowed me with a will; help me to use it aright. May I have the knowledge of what thou dost demand of my soul, that I may do my best with what thou hast given me. Help me that I may reach out for the highest ideals of life. Amen.

JANUARY TWENTY-NINTH

Emanuel Swedenborg born 1688.

Thomas Paine born 1737.

Adelaide Ristori born 1822.

William McKinley, Ohio, twenty-fourth President United States, born 1843.

G.o.d will keep no nation in supreme place that will not do supreme duty.

--William McKinley.

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what G.o.d and the angels know of us.

--Thomas Paine.

The reward of one duty is the power to fulfill another.

--George Eliot.

Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, Upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.

So shall we not go back from thee: Quicken thou us, and we will call upon thy name.

--Psalm 80. 17, 18.

My Father, I pray that I may be just and be given to kindness. May I be conscious of my virtues, and use them to overcome my faults. May I hear clearly thy call that I may be sure of the way as I lead others to duty and happiness. Amen.

JANUARY THIRTIETH

Archbishop Butler born 1774.

Walter Savage Landor born 1775.

Henri Rochefort born 1830.

Why, why repine, my pensive friend, At pleasures slipped away?

Some the stern fates will never lend, And all refuse to stay.

I see the rainbow in the sky, The dew upon the gra.s.s; I see them and I ask not why They glimmer or they pa.s.s.

With folded arms I linger not To call them back; 'twere vain; In this, or in some other spot, I know they'll s.h.i.+ne again.

--Walter Savage Landor.

When disappointment comes meet it, but do not carry it along with you; nor fetter your spirit by changeless haste. "Memory will always pursue some precious instance of itself," which will bring either renewed confidence or resignation.

--M. B. S.

For thou shalt forget thy misery; Thou shalt remember it as waters that are pa.s.sed away.

--Job 11. 16.

Gracious Father, help me to "Lift mine eyes unto the hills" that glorify the discouraging ways. May I appreciate thy great love, and from my limitations find the possibilities that are limitless. Amen.

JANUARY THIRTY-FIRST

Cromwell dissolved Parliament 1655.

Charles Edward (Young Pretender) died 1788.

Franz Schubert born 1797.

James G. Elaine born 1830.

Nature demands that man be ever at the top of his condition. He who violates her laws must pay the penalty, though he sit on a throne.

--James G. Elaine.

Dig channels for the streams of love, Where they may broadly run; And love has overflowing streams To fill them every one.

For we must share if we must keep The good things from above; Ceasing to give, we cease to have-- Such is the law of love.

--R. C. Trench.

And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

--Job 11. 17.

My Father, I would remember that it is mostly from my inspirations that I conceive life. Take away hatred and vanity that keep me in faults, and awake in me the thoughts that are responsible for visions that lead to high ideals. Amen.

FEBRUARY

Then came old February, sitting In an old wagon, for he could not ride, Drawn of two fishes for the season fitting, Which through the flood before did softly slide And swim away; yet he had by his side His plow and harness fit to till the ground, And tools to prune the trees, before the pride Of hasting prime did make them bourgeon wide.