Leaves of Life Part 58

--Song of Solomon 2. 15.

Loving Father, help me to put away the distractions and cares that make me discontented. Grant that I may not set myself in "gilded pride" and keep out the precious things of life. Help me to abandon doubt and suspicion, and keep the faith that is happy to believe and willing to forgive. Amen.

JULY TWENTIETH

Petrarch born 1304.

Thomas Lovell Beddoes born 1803.

John Sterling born 1806.

Jean Ingelow died 1897.

Let thy day be to the night A letter of good tidings! Let thy praise Go up as birds go up--that when they awake, Shake off the dew and soar.

--Jean Ingelow.

I, and the bird, And the wind together, Sang a supplication In the winter weather.

The bird sang for suns.h.i.+ne, And the trees for winter fruit, And for love in the spring time When the thickets shoot.

And I sang for patience When the teardrops start; Clean hands and clear eyes, And a faithful heart.

--Arthur C. Benson.

Unto thee, O Jehovah, do I lift up my soul.

--Psalm 25. 1.

Lord G.o.d, if I am discouraged this morning, may I pause for thine encouragement. Grant that the fear of the night may make no decline in my morn, but that "into the future I may fuse the past," and use what is clearest for to-day. Amen.

JULY TWENTY-FIRST

Matthew Pryor born 1664.

William Lord Russell beheaded 1683.

Robert Burns died 1796.

Our heaven must be within ourselves, Our home and heaven the work of faith And thro' this race of life which shelves Downward to death.

While over all a dome must spread, And love shall be that dome above; And deep foundations must be laid, And these are love.

--Christina Rossetti.

If happiness has not her seat And center in the breast, We may be wise or rich or great, But never can be blest.

--Robert Burns.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

--Proverbs 4.

My Father, if I choose to be unhappy and miserable, may I not be to myself and friends as "a harp with one string." Help me to free myself from thinking and antic.i.p.ating things that keep me from the pleasure that I might receive and give. May I have more trust in my friends and in thee. Amen.

JULY TWENTY-SECOND

Sir John Graham killed 1298.

Pilgrims started for America 1620.

Earl of Shaftesbury (Anthony Ashley Cooper) born 1621.

How comes it to pa.s.s, then, that we appear such cowards in reasoning, and are so afraid to stand the test of ridicule?

--Earl of Shaftesbury.

He that of such a height hath built his mind, And reared the dwelling of his thoughts so strong, As neither fear nor hope can shake the frame Of his resolved powers; nor all the wind Of vanity or malice pierce to wrong His settled peace, or to disturb the same: What a fair seat hath he, from whence he may The boundless wastes and wilds of man survey?

--Samuel Daniel.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.

--Isaiah 26. 3.

O Lord, it is not that I am ashamed to ask thee for the truth that I do not more diligently seek it, but it is because I fear the sacrifice that may follow in obtaining it. I would that I could understand that thy strength is given in the sacrifice. Make me braver as I seek to live in the truth. Amen.

JULY TWENTY-THIRD

Richard Gibson died 1690.

Charlotte Cushman born 1816.

Coventry Patmore born 1823.

I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be A pleasant road; I do not ask that thou would'st take from me Aught of its load.