Leaves of Life Part 21

--Isaiah 43. 4.

Lord G.o.d, forbid that I should try to supplant character with manners and worldly goods. May I remember that thou seest me, and knowest me, and I need no s.h.i.+eld from thee. Help me that I may be found acceptable while thou dost search me to the depths of the soul. Amen.

MARCH THIRTEENTH

Joseph Priestley born 1733.

Esther Johnson (Stella) born 1681.

Regina Maria Roche died 1845.

If stores of dry and learned lore we gain We keep them in the memory of the brain; Names, things, and facts--whate'er we knowledge call, There is the common ledger for them all; And images on this cold surface traced Make slight impressions and are soon effaced.

But we've a page more glowing and more bright On which our friends.h.i.+p and our love to write; That these may never from the soul depart, We trust them to the memory of the heart.

There is no dimming--no effacement here; Each pulsation keeps the record clear; Warm golden letters all the tablet fill, Nor lose their l.u.s.ter till the heart stands still.

--Daniel Webster.

I often wonder why it is that we are not all kinder than we are. How much the world needs it! How easily it is done! How instantaneously it acts! How infallibly it is remembered!

--Henry Drummond.

Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.

--Ecclesiastes 11. 1.

My Father, thou hast taught me through the gifts of life, that there is no labor or price too dear to pay for love. I pray to love thee more that I may have more love to bestow on others. Amen.

MARCH FOURTEENTH

Thomas H. Benton born 1782.

Johann Strauss born 1804.

Victor Emmanuel born 1820.

Rivers to the ocean run, Nor stay in all their course; Fire ascending seeks the sun; Both speed them to their source; So a soul that's born of G.o.d, Pants to view his glorious face, Upward tends to his abode, To rest in his embrace.

--Robert Seagrave.

As the bird trims her to the gale I trim myself to the storm of time; I man the rudder, reef the sail, Obey the voice at eve obeyed at prime; Lowly faithful, banish fear, The port well worth the cruise is near And every wave is charmed.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson.

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O G.o.d.

--Psalm 42. 1.

My Father, I pray that if I meet with difficulty, I may not go backward, nor stand still, and fear to go forward. Unfold to me the depth and breadth of the ideal and beautiful, that I may not be content to succeed in the shallowness of life: but may I aspire to the height of the soul, even if I fail to acquire great things. Amen.

MARCH FIFTEENTH

Julius Caesar killed B.C. 44.

Peasants War began 1512.

Andrew Jackson, North Carolina, seventh President United States, born 1767.

John Davenport died 1670.

I will take the responsibility!

--Andrew Jackson.

What ought to be possible for everyone is to arrive at a sort of harmony of life, to have definite things that they want to do....

The people whom it is hard to fit into any scheme of benevolent creation are the vague, insignificant, drifting people, whose only rooted tendency is to do whatever is suggested to them.

--Arthur C. Benson.

Heard are the voices, Heard are the sages, The worlds, and the ages; Choose well! your choice is Brief and endless.

--Goethe.

Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law....

--Joshua 1. 7.

Gracious Father, I pray that thou wilt free me from evil thoughts before they become a habit. Create in me that freedom which makes me not ashamed to acknowledge the wrong, and which will enable me to stand for the right. Quicken my thoughts, that they may keep my heart inspired. Amen.

MARCH SIXTEENTH

James Madison, Virginia, fourth President United States, born 1751.

Caroline Lucretia Herschel born 1750.

Alexander Watts born 1797.