Leaves of Life Part 71

SEPTEMBER THIRD

Oliver Cromwell died 1658.

George Lillo died 1739.

Bishop James Harrington born 1847.

Sarah Orne Jewett born 1849.

Love thyself last: cherish those hearts that hate thee: Corruption wins not more than honesty.

Still in thy right hand carry peace, To silence envious tongues. Be just and fear not: Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's, Thy G.o.d's and truth's; then if thou fallest, O Cromwell, Thou fallest a blessed martyr.

--William Shakespeare.

Surely, the only true knowledge of our fellow man is that which enables us to feel with him, which gives us a fine ear for the heart-pulses that are beating under the mere clothes of circ.u.mstance and opinion.

--George Eliot.

With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love.

--Ephesians 4. 2.

Lord, give thy people consistency of judgment, one heart, and mutual love; and go on to deliver them, and with the work of the reformation; and make the name of Christ glorious in the world.

Teach those who look too much on thy instruments to depend more upon thyself. Pardon the folly of this short prayer: Even for Christ's sake. And give us a good night, if it be thy pleasure. Amen.

--Prayer by Oliver Cromwell, just before death.

SEPTEMBER FOURTH

Pindar, poet, born B. C. 522.

William E. Dodge born 1805.

Phoebe Cary born 1824.

Sir Wilfred Lawson born 1829.

I ask not wealth, but power to take And use the things I have, aright; Not years, but wisdom that shall make My life a profit and delight.

--Phcebe Gary.

Another day may bring another mind, A mind to learn when there is none to teach; To follow when no leader we can find; To enjoy when good is now beyond our reach.

A better mind, but not a better time, A mind to will, but not a time to do What had been done, if we in life's bright prime, When G.o.d was ready, had been ready too.

--Thomas T. Lynch.

Give diligence to present thyself approved unto G.o.d, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.

--2 Timothy 2. 15.

My Father, help me to have lofty thoughts, and may I not be content until they are carried into purpose. Help me to conquer that which will keep me from an act of happiness, and grant that by thinking of that which is pure, and doing that which is good, I may be made helpful and true. Amen.

SEPTEMBER FIFTH

Catherine Parr died 1548.

Cardinal Richelieu born 1585.

Robert Fergusson born 1750.

Giacomo Meyerbeer born 1791.

Richard C. Trench born 1807.

Be patient! O, be patient! Put your ear against the earth; Listen there how noiselessly the germ o' the seed has birth-- How noiselessly and gently it upheaves its little way, Till it parts the scarcely broken ground, and the blade stands up in day.

Be patient! O, be patient!--though yet our hopes are green, The harvest fields of freedom shall be crowned with sunny sheen.

Be ripening! be ripening--mature your silent way, Till the whole broad land is tongued with fire on freedom's harvest day.

--Richard C. Trench.

And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

--James 1. 4.

Gracious Father, help me to see the truth as thou hast made it, and may I not be indifferent to the beauty and patience of the earth's revelations. May I not mistake indolence for patient ambition, which I would have for anxious hours, and which I need for my heart's desires.

Amen.

SEPTEMBER SIXTH

Moses Mendelssohn born 1729.

Marquis de Lafayette born 1757.

Jane Addams born 1860.

G.o.d will not seek thy race, Nor will he ask thy birth; Alone he will demand of thee, What hast thou done on earth?