Leaves of Life Part 51

William Smellie died 1795.

Antoine Jean Gros died 1835.

Lucy Webb Hayes died 1889.

In every feast remember there are two guests to be entertained--the body and the soul; and what you give the body you presently lose, but what you give the soul remains forever.

--Epictetus.

We take pains and weary to faultlessly clothe the body. We persevere, and often struggle, to adorn the mind. As we pa.s.s through the rays of truth, sometimes we find, after all we have put on, we have left bare the soul.

--M.B.S.

For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?

--Matthew 16. 26.

Lord G.o.d, help me to understand that thou hast made the principle of truth so that I cannot add to it, nor take from it, lest in altering it I might destroy it. May I never try to make my purpose cover the truth, but without fear, face the light where truth shines the brightest. Amen.

JUNE TWENTY-SIXTH

Archbishop Robert Leighton died 1684.

Dr. Philip Doddridge born 1702.

George Morland born 1763.

Why are we so glad to talk and take our turns to prattle, when so rarely we get back to the stronghold of our silence with an unwounded conscience?

--Thomas a Kempis.

I have read that those who listened to Lord Chatham felt that there was something finer in the man than anything which he said.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Speech is like the cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as in packs.

--Plutarch.

Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile.

--Psalm 34. 13.

Tender Father, make me more watchful of the time that I give to useless thoughts and words, and save me from cutting words, which make deeper impressions than can be cut with sharp tools. Forgive me for the hours that have not been profitable; I would I had them back, for my heart and mind have need of them. Amen.

JUNE TWENTY-SEVENTH

Paul Laurence Dunbar born 1872.

Lafcadio Hearne born 1850.

Helen Keller born 1880.

Of course, it was not easy at first to fly. The speech wings were weak and broken; nothing was left save the impulse to fly, but that was something. One can never consent to creep when one has an impulse to soar. There are so many difficulties in the way, so many discouragements; but I kept on trying, knowing that perseverance and patience win in the end.

--Helen Keller.

De da'kest hour, dey allus say, Is des' befo' de dawn, But it's moughty ha'd a-waitin'

Were de night goes frownin' on; An' it's moughty ha'd a-hopin'

When de clouds is big and black, An' all de t'ings you's waited fu'

Has failed, er gone to wrack-- But des' keep on a joggin' ind a little bit o song.

De moon is allus brightah w'en de night's been long.

--Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning.

--Psalm 30. 5.

My Father, I thank thee for life and its faculties. May I not be deceived by gratification and miss the permanent satisfactions. Make me brave that I may be courageous in affliction, and not be dismayed over humiliations and disappointments. May I be kept in harmony with thy will. Amen.

JUNE TWENTY-EIGHTH

Henry VIII born 1491.

Jean Jacques Rousseau born 1712.

John Wesley born 1703.

Frederick William Faber born 1814.

Workman of G.o.d! O lose not heart, But learn what G.o.d is like; And in the darkest battlefield Thou shalt know where to strike.

For right is right, since G.o.d is G.o.d; And right the day must win; To doubt would be disloyalty, To falter would be sin.

--F. W. Faber.

Leisure and I have parted company.

I look upon the world as my parish.

The best of all is, G.o.d is with us.