Leaves of Life Part 94

Such songs have power to quiet The restless pulse of care, And come like benediction That follows after prayer.

--Henry W. Longfellow.

Songs consecrate to truth and liberty.

--Percy Bysshe Sh.e.l.ley.

David took the harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

--1 Samuel 16. 23.

Almighty G.o.d, I thank thee that thou wilt come to me as my heart cries for need. I bless thee that thou dost come to me as my lips sing thy praise. I pray that I may be saved from a cruel and cheerless heart, and be a sharer of the songs that are sung to the soul. Amen.

NOVEMBER TWENTY-THIRD

Thomas Tallis died 1585.

Franklin Pierce, New Hampshire, fourteenth President United States, born 1804.

Marie Bashkirtseff born 1860.

Asleep, awake, by night or day, The friends I seek are seeking me; No word can drive my bark astray, Nor change the tide of destiny.

The stars come nightly to the sky, The tidal wave unto the sea; Nor time, nor s.p.a.ce, nor deep, nor high, Can keep my own away from me.

--John Burroughs.

If a man could make a single rose we would give him an empire; yet flowers no less beautiful are scattered in profusion over the world, and no one regards them.

--Martin Luther.

Let patience have its perfect work.

--James 1. 4.

My Creator, may I remember that after thou didst create the earth thou didst say it was good. May I love the fragrance and beauty of the flowers which were made to nourish the soul, and the fruits and herbs which were made to nourish the body. May my song of thanksgiving be new every morning, as I awake in the abundance of what thou hast prepared. Amen.

NOVEMBER TWENTY-FOURTH

John Knox died 1572.

Baron Spinoza born 1632.

Grace Darling born 1815.

Frances Hodgson Burnett born 1849.

I waited long until the sky Should give me of its blue To weave and wear, and share, and weave The very stars into.

The days they went, the years they went, And left my hands instead Another thing for wonderment, The mending and the bread.

Ah me, and one must set a hand To burnish up the task, And hush and hush the old demand A wakeful heart will ask.

But with a star's clear eye on me, O, I can hear it said, "What souls there be that only see The mending and the bread!"

--Josephine P. Peabody.

The riches of a commonwealth Are free, strong minds and hearts of health.

And more to her than gold or grain, The cunning hand and cultured brain.

--John G. Whittier.

For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.

--Luke 12. 23.

My Father, I pray that thou wilt help me, that I may not consume my life in preparing clothes and food for my body. Amen.

NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIFTH

Charles Kemble born 1775.

John Bigelow born 1817.

Paul Haupt born 1858.

John Kitto died 1854.

I will not kill or hurt any living creature needlessly, nor destroy any beautiful thing, but will strive to save and comfort all gentle life and guard and perfect all natural beauty on earth. I will strive to raise my own body and soul daily into all the higher powers of duty and-happiness, not in rivalship or contention with others, but for help, delight, and honor of others and for the joy and peace of my own life.

--John Ruskin.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.

--Isaiah 11. 9.

Lord G.o.d, I rejoice in the blessedness of peace. May I not try to force peace where cruelty has entered, but keep a watch for what may come into my life. I pray that if I may be in turbulence to-day, thou wilt quiet me with thy peace which knows no fear or wrong. Amen.

NOVEMBER TWENTY-SIXTH