Leaves of Life Part 30

James Harper born 1795.

If there were dreams to sell, Merry and sad to tell, And the crier rang the bell, What would you buy?

A cottage lone and still With bowers nigh, Shadowy, my woes to still, Until I die.

Such pearl from Life's fresh crown Fain would I shake me down, Were dreams to have at will This would best heal my ill, This would I buy.

--Thomas Lovell Beddoes.

I pray you, bear me hence From forth the noise and rumor of the field Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts In peace, and part this body and my soul With contemplation and devout desires.

--William Shakespeare.

Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile.

--Mark 6. 31.

Lord G.o.d, help me to bear in mind that to step aside and safeguard the mind in contemplation is a safe guard to the soul. Amen.

APRIL FOURTEENTH

Dr. George Gregory born 1754.

George Frederic Handel died 1759.

Horace Bushnell born 1802.

Flower in the crannied wall, I pluck you out of the crannies-- Hold you here, root and all, in my hand, Little flower--but if I could understand What you are, root and all, and all in all, I should know what G.o.d and man is.

--Alfred Tennyson.

So much is history stranger than fiction, and so true it is Nature has caprices which Art dares not imitate.

--Thomas Macaulay.

Nature is the face of G.o.d. He appears to us through it, and we can read his thoughts in it.

--Victor Hugo.

Many, O Jehovah my G.o.d, are the wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward.

--Psalm 40. 5.

Eternal G.o.d, I thank thee for the seasons which bring abundance and beauty. I thank thee for thy loving care, which is over all and forever. May I behold thy works and make thee a very present help for all my needs, and perceive the joy of thy love through the greatness of the earth. Amen.

APRIL FIFTEENTH

Emile Souvestre born 1806.

John Lothrop Motley born 1814.

Henry James born 1843.

Abraham Lincoln died 1865.

Two thirds of human existence are wasted in hesitation, and the last third in repentance.

--Emile Souvestre.

And, having thus chosen our course, let us renew our trust in G.o.d and go forward without fear and with manly hearts.

--Abraham Lincoln.

The barriers are not erected which shall say to aspiring talent, "Thus far and no further."

--Beethoven.

Be strong and of good courage.

--Joshua 1. 6.

Almighty G.o.d, I pray that I may always be alive to my opportunities, but may I never leave others impoverished by taking advantage of them.

May my prosperity be conducted with my eyes open, guarding what I give and receive, that my possessions may remain valuable through life.

Amen.

APRIL SIXTEENTH

Charles Montagu, Earl of Halifax, born 1661.

Charles W. Peale born 1741.

Sir John Franklin born 1786.

Weary of myself and sick of asking What I am, and what I ought to be, At the vessel's prow I stand, which bears me Forward, forward, o'er the starlit sea

O air-born voice! long since severely clear, A cry like thine in my own heart I hear.

Resolve to be thyself: and know that he Who finds himself, loses his misery.

--Matthew Arnold.

This above all to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou can'st not then be false to any man.