For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead: Lead me aright-- Though strength should falter, and though heart should bleed-- Through peace to light.
--Adelaide A. Procter.
O, why and whither?--G.o.d knows all, I only know that he is good, And that whatever may befall Or here or there, must be the best that could.
--John G. Whittier.
Lead me, O Jehovah, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; Make thy way straight before my face.
--Psalm 5. 8.
Loving Father, may I never fail to ask for thy guidance, for thou hast promised to lead me to the cool springs while I pa.s.s through the desert places. Help me to put myself in thy keeping and say, "Thy will be done." Amen.
JULY TWENTY-FOURTH
Rev. John Newton born 1725.
John P. Curran born 1750.
J.G. Holland born 1819.
As the winged arrow flies Speedily the mark to find; As the lightning from the skies Darts and leaves no trace behind; Swiftly thus our fleeting days Bear us down life"s rapid stream; Upward, Lord, our spirits raise; All below is but a dream.
--John Newton.
O gentlemen! the time is short; To spend that shortness basely were too long, If life did ride upon a dial"s point, Still ending at the arrival of an hour.
--William Shakespeare.
Jehovah, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me know how frail I am.
--Psalm 39. 4.
Lord, forbid that I should overcast my life with intentions, and neglect to put in the deeds. May I not be satisfied to spend my days in being merely occupied, but live to learn and work. May I not be dismayed over what I might have been, but with all my might do what I can now. Amen.
JULY TWENTY-FIFTH
Thomas a Kempis died 1471.
Simon Bolivar born 1783.
Arthur James Balfour born 1848.
Blessed indeed are those ears which listen not after the voice which is sounding without, but after the truth teaching within.
--Thomas a Kempis.
How joyed my heart in the rich melodies That overhead and round me did arise!
The moving leaves--the water"s gentle flow-- Delicious music hung on every bough.
Then said I in my heart, "If that the Lord Such lively music on the earth accord; If to weak, sinful man such sounds are given, O! what must be the melody of heaven!"
--Izaak Walton.
But thou, O Jehovah, knowest me; thou seest me, and triest my heart toward thee.
--Jeremiah 12. 3.
Loving Father, thou hast made it needful for me to know that the songs which are sung by divine love are rarely heard by cruel hearts. Grant that my soul may chord with the sweetest music that vibrates in the beauty and harmony of life. Amen.
JULY TWENTY-SIXTH
Charles Emmanuel died 1630.
John Wilmot died 1680.
George Clinton born 1739.
Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened, but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace, like a clock during a thunderstorm.
--Robert L. Stevenson.
I have learned, as days have pa.s.sed me, Fretting never lifts the load; And worry, much or little, Never smooths an irksome road; For do you know that somehow, always, Doors are opened, ways are made; When we work and live in patience Under all the cross that"s laid.
--Unknown.
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely, And shall be quiet without fear of evil.
--Proverbs 1. 33.
Merciful and just G.o.d, I pray that I may regulate my life by thy standards and conform my life to thy laws, that thy goodness and mercy may not be wasted on me. Help me to bear in mind, that willingness is the power that starts the hands to work. May I have thy presence while I wait in quietness, that I may be helped through the anxious moments.
Amen.
JULY TWENTY-SEVENTH
Thomas Campbell born 1777.
Alexandre Dumas-fils born 1824.