Leaves of Life Part 102

It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

--William Shakespeare.

I will not doubt the love untold Which not my worth nor want hath bought, Which wooed me young and wooes me old, And to this evening hath me brought.

--Henry David Th.o.r.eau.

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

--Jeremiah 81. 3.

Loving Father, teach me the secret of constancy, that none may ever be disappointed in me. May I not reckon what I give on recompense, but have the spirit of giving which has no measure for what it may receive in return. May I not be forgetful of thy love which will hold me to deeper reverence and devotion. Amen.

DECEMBER TWENTY-FIRST

Jean Baptiste Racine born 1639.

Robert Moffat born 1795.

Laura Bridgman born 1829.

To think and to feel const.i.tute the two grand divisions of men and genius--the men of reasoning and the men of imagination.

--Disraeli.

Grow old along with me! the best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in his hand who saith, a whole I planned, Youth shows but half; trust G.o.d: see all, nor be afraid!

--Robert Browning.

But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That s.h.i.+neth more and more unto the perfect day.

--Proverbs 4. 18.

Almighty G.o.d, I pray that I may have the grace to penetrate the deep things of life and test their truth and greatness. May I have faith in thy power and train for the best which thou hast made possible for me to live. Help me to think and feel aright, that I may be thine to-day, and in the days of to-morrow may I still be thine, ever keeping bright memories of past days. Amen.

DECEMBER TWENTY-SECOND

Franz Abt born 1819.

Thomas W. Higginson born 1823.

George Eliot died 1880.

Love and Pain Make their own measure of all things that be.

No clock's slow ticking marks their deathless strain; The life they own is not the life we see; Love's single moment is eternity.

--Thomas W. Higginson.

Life is made stronger Giving, receiving; Love is made longer Hoping, believing.

Life is made sweeter, Truly worth living; Love is completer, Trusting, forgiving.

--M.B.S.

In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another.

--Romans 12. 10.

Loving Father, I thank thee that every morn breaks in a new day without the sadness of yesterday or the gladness of to-morrow. I pray that I may not lose the love and joy that it brings to-day. Amen.

DECEMBER TWENTY-THIRD

Michael Drayton died 1631.

Robert Barclay born 1648.

James Sargent Storer died 1854.

When heaven endows you with all gifts, you are an incomplete being if you stay still in your corner instead of taking advantage of your real value.

--Marie Bashkirtseff.

Life, which ought to be a thing complete in itself, and ought to be spent partly in gathering materials, and partly in drawing inferences, is apt to be a hurried acc.u.mulation lasting to the edge of the tomb. We are put into the world, I cannot help feeling, to be rather than do.

--Arthur C. Benson.

Jehovah is the strength of my life.

--Psalm 27. 1.

Heavenly Father, I pray that thou wilt reverse my standards of life if I may be striving only for selfish gain. May I care for all that I could be, and may I care for where I should be found, but, most of all, may I care for what I really am. Help me to keep my mind on thee that I may find delight in doing thy will. Amen.

DECEMBER TWENTY-FOURTH

George Crabbe born 1754.

Kit Carson born 1809.