Leaves of Life Part 63

Alfred, Lord Tennyson, born 1809.

O well for him whose will is strong!

He suffers, but he will not suffer long; He suffers, but he cannot suffer wrong; For him nor moves the loud world's random mock, Not all Calamity's hugest waves confound, Who seems a promontory rock, That compa.s.sed round with turbulent sound, In middle ocean meets the surging shock, Tempest-buffeted, citadel-crowned.

--Alfred Tennyson.

Grandeur of character lies in force of soul--that is, in the force of thought, moral principle, and love; and this may be found in the humblest condition of life.

--William Ellery Channing.

So then, brethren, stand fast.

--2 Thessalonians 2. 15.

Eternal G.o.d, help me that I may not be deceived by my surroundings as I seek to have life abundantly. Instruct me that it is by the way of character that I must attain the laws of growth, and learn reverence for the spirit of divine life. Amen.

AUGUST SEVENTH

Battle of Thermopylae B.C. 480.

Frederick William (Dean) Farrar born 1831.

Alexander M. Bell died 1905.

Although a friend may remain faithful in misfortune, yet none but the very best and loftiest will remain faithful to us after our errors and our sins.

--Dean Farrar.

Friends.h.i.+p is like a debt of honor: the moment it is talked of it loses its real name, and a.s.sumes the more ungrateful form of obligation. From hence we find that those who regularly undertake to cultivate friends.h.i.+p find ingrat.i.tude generally repays their endeavors.

--Oliver Goldsmith.

For even in their wickedness shall my prayer continue.

--Psalm 141. 5.

Lord G.o.d, may I ever continue to be thankful for the times thou hast helped me, when I have asked for thy compa.s.sion; may I recall the joy in which I received it, when it may be mine to have compa.s.sion and extend a helping hand to others. I pray that I may place my life where it will be stronger than adversity and controlled by sincerity and love. Amen.

AUGUST EIGHTH

Charles A. Dana born 1819.

Laurence Hutton born 1843.

Cecile Chaminade born 1861.

Lo! all the glory gone!

G.o.d's masterpiece undone!

The last created and the first to fall; The n.o.blest, frailest, G.o.dliest of all.

Child of the humble sod, Wed with the breath of G.o.d, Descend! for with the lowest thou must lie-- Arise! thou hast inherited the sky.

--John B. Tabb.

Far away there in the suns.h.i.+ne are my highest aspirations; I cannot reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.

--Louisa M. Alcott.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come?

--Psalm 121. 1.

Heavenly Father, may I see as I raise my eyes to the mountains that without the deep shadows there would be no vision of the high-light, and still higher may I see that without the sun there would be no color to encircle the rainbow. And beyond, O Father, may I believe that without the shadow of the cross we could not have the glory of the resurrection. May I keep the vision clear. Amen.

AUGUST NINTH

Izaak Walton born 1593.

John Dryden born 1631.

Francis Scott Key born 1780.

Joseph Jacques Tissot died 1902.

All habits gather, by unseen degrees, Brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.

--John Dryden.

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now s.h.i.+nes on the stream; 'Tis the star-spangled banner; O yet may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

--Francis Scott Key.

Do not be troubled because you have not great virtues. G.o.d made a million spears of gra.s.s where he made one tree.... Only have enough of little virtues and common fidelities, and you need not mourn because you are neither a hero nor a saint.

--Henry Ward Beecher.

The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah Is riches, and honor, and life.

--Proverbs 22. 4.