Leaves of Life Part 16

George William Curtis born 1824.

'Tis not to enjoy that we exist, For that end only; something must be done; I must not walk in unreproved delight These narrow bounds, and think of nothing more, No duty that looks further and no care.

--William Wordsworth.

We weave our thoughts into heart-spun plans, And weave secure for a fitful day, But lose in the web of earthly things The pattern of sublimity.

Shall days spring up as wild vines grow, Unheeding where they climb or cling?

Consider, child, before you sow, And wait not until harvesting.

--M.B.S.

Jehovah is my strength and my s.h.i.+eld; My heart hath trusted in him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; And with my song will I praise him.

--Psalm 28. 7.

Loving Father, command my judgment for the influences which I permit to come into my life. Grant that I may not delay my purposes for the lack of comforts which are so often made more than life. With thy strength may I be steadfast in what I would achieve. Amen.

FEBRUARY TWENTY-FIFTH

William Seely died 1521.

Sir Christopher Wren died 1723.

Jane Goodwin Austin born 1831.

Camille Flammarion born 1842.

In general, pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes. All other pa.s.sions do occasionally good; but wherever pride puts in its word everything goes wrong.

--John Ruskin.

He that is proud eats up himself: pride is his own gla.s.s, his own trumpet, his own chronicle; and whatever praises itself but in the deed, devours the deed in the praise.

--William Shakespeare.

Save me alike from foolish pride Or impious discontent; At aught Thy wisdom hath denied, Or aught Thy wisdom lent.

--Alexander Pope.

A man's pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.

--Proverbs 29. 23.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I may not let pride keep me down when it may be mine to be carried to the heights. With tenderness take me out of myself, that I may see how pride deceives, and destroys an humble spirit. Help me to master both stubbornness and pride. Amen.

FEBRUARY TWENTY-SIXTH

Christopher Marlowe (baptized 1564).

Victor Hugo born 1802.

Lord Cromer born 1841.

Thomas Moore died 1852.

When I go down to the grave I can say, like so many others, I have finished my work; but I cannot say I have finished my life; my day's work will begin again the next morning. My tomb is not a blind alley; it is a thoroughfare. It closes in the twilight to open in the dawn.

--Victor Hugo.

There's nothing bright above, below, From flowers that bloom to stars that glow, But in the light my soul can see Some feature of the Deity.

There's nothing dark below, above, But in its gloom I trace G.o.d's love, And meekly wait that moment when His truth shall turn all bright again.

--Thomas Moore.

Jehovah redeemeth the soul of his servants; And none of them that take refuge in him shall be condemned.

--Psalm 34. 22.

Lord G.o.d, may I not only feel the need of thee when I am burdened with sorrow and care, but may I have need of thee in my pleasures and joys.

I thank thee for thy gracious kindness, thy mercy and thy protection.

Amen.

FEBRUARY TWENTY-SEVENTH

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow born 1807.

Ellen Terry born 1848.

Mary F. Robinson born 1857.

Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time--

Footprints that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's wintry main, A forlorn and s.h.i.+pwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.

--Henry W. Longfellow.

They are slaves who fear to speak For the fallen and the weak; They are slaves who will not choose Hatred, scoffing, and abuse, Rather than in silence shrink From the truth they needs must think; They are slaves who dare not be In the right with two or three.