Leaves of Life Part 18

MARCH SECOND

Juvenal born A.D. 40.

John Wesley died 1791.

Horace Walpole died 1797.

Nature never says one thing, Wisdom another.

--Juvenal.

By all means, use some times to be alone; Salute thyself--see what thy soul doth wear; Dare to look in thy chest, for 'tis thine own, And tumble up and down what thou findest there.

--William Wordsworth.

Lonesomeness is part of the cost of power. The higher you climb, the less can you hope for companions.h.i.+p. The heavier and the more immediate the responsibility, the less can a man delegate his tasks or escape his own mistakes.

--Shailer Mathews.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.

--Matthew 6. 6.

My Father, I pray that thou wilt take care of my thoughts when I am alone and tired, and keep them strong and clean. Grant that while I commune with thee I may yield to my needs and be restored with keener energy for worthier deeds. May I ask of thy wisdom every day. Amen.

MARCH THIRD

Edmund Waller born 1605.

George Herbert died 1633.

Christine Nilsson born 1843.

Pitch thy behaviour low, thy projects high, So shalt thou humble and magnanimous be; Sink not in spirit: who aimeth at the sky, Shoots higher than he that means a tree.

--George Herbert.

We and G.o.d have business with each other; and in opening ourselves to his influence our deepest destiny is fulfilled.

--William James.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

--2 Corinthians 4. 18.

Almighty G.o.d, help me to remember that "the power of character is the highest point of success," and that thou hast put within reach of all the choice ideals of life. May I have the desire to cultivate strong purposes, and strive for high endeavors, that I may not aim for the low. Amen.

MARCH FOURTH

Casimer Pulaski born 1748.

Sir Henry Raeburn born 1756.

E.W. Bull, originator Concord grape, born 1806.

Alexander Graham Bell born 1847.

It is perfectly obvious that men do necessarily absorb, out of the influences in which they grow up, something which gives a complexion to their whole after-character.

--Anthony Froude.

All common things, each day's events That with the hour begin and end, Our pleasures and our discontents Are rounds by which we may ascend.

--Henry W. Longfellow.

Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt. I

--Shakespeare.

And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth.

--1 Samuel 17. 49.

My Father, I would remember that my life may decline from the neglect of small things; for as thou dost nourish the wheat from flakes of snow, and supply the springs from drops of rain, so thou wilt strengthen my soul from every little blessing. I pray that I may not forget to watch my habits, and keep track of the hours that culture and sustain my life. Amen.

MARCH FIFTH

Correggio died 1534.

Howard Pyle born 1853.

Arthur Foote born 1853.

When I have the time so many things I'll do, To make life happier and more fair For those whose lives are crowded now with care, I'll help to lift them from their low despair When I have time.

When I have time the friend I love so well Shall know no more the weary, toiling days; I'll lead his feet in pleasant paths always, And cheer his heart with words of sweetest praise, When I have time.

Now is the time! Speed, friend; no longer wait To scatter loving smiles and words of cheer To those around whose lives are drear; They may not need you in the far-off year: Now is the time.