Leaves of Life Part 77

S.R. Crockett born 1860.

Get the truth once uttered, and 'tis like A star newborn that drops into its place, And which, once circling in its placid round, Not all the tumult of the earth can shake.

--James Russell Lowell.

If you would be well spoken of, learn to speak well of others. And when you have learned to speak well of them, endeavor likewise to do well to them; and reap the fruit of being well spoken of by them.

--Epictetus.

He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor; He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

--Psalm 15. 3, 5.

Lord G.o.d, I bless thee for the lives of men and women who are willing to be led by the truth, and who are worthy to follow thee. I pray that thou wilt make me truthful, and keep me steadfast, that none may go astray by the uncertainty of my way. Amen.

SEPTEMBER TWENTY-FIFTH

William Romaine born 1714.

Felicia D. Hemans born 1793.

W.M. Rossetti born 1829.

Not as the conqueror comes, They, the true-hearted, came; Not with the roll of the stirring drums, And the trumpet songs of fame:

Amidst the storm they sang, And the stars heard and the sea; And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang To the anthem of the free.

Ay, call it holy ground, The soil where first they trod; They have left unstained what there they found-- Freedom to wors.h.i.+p G.o.d.

--Felicia D. Hemans.

But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shall make them afraid.

--Micah 4. 4.

Eternal G.o.d, may I look to the Pilgrims and learn that to pray by faith with the heart is not to pray by faith of the imagination. Help me to pray, and have faith to struggle for that which I would rightfully have. Amen.

SEPTEMBER TWENTY-SIXTH

Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood born 1750.

Dr. Mary Walker born 1832.

Irving Bach.e.l.ler born 1859.

Frederic William Faber died 1863.

G.o.d is never so far off as even to be near-- He is within: Our spirit is the home he holds most dear.

To think of him as by our side is almost as untrue As to remove his throne beyond the starry blue.

--F.W. Faber.

Nearer, my G.o.d, to thee, Nearer to thee!

E'en though it be a cross That raiseth me; Still all my song shall be-- Nearer, my G.o.d, to thee, Nearer to thee!

--Sarah F. Adams.

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

--Job 27. 6.

My Father, may I consider the place in which I stand: and may I not be deceived in thinking I am near thee while I am living far away. Teach me the way to draw nearer to thee each day, until my spirit may continually dwell with thee. Amen.

SEPTEMBER TWENTY-SEVENTH

George Cruikshank born 1792.

Samuel Francis Dupont born 1803.

Aime Millet born 1819.

Henri Frederic Arniel born 1821.

The man who has no refuge in himself, who lives, so to speak, in his front rooms, in the outer whirlwind of things and opinions, is not properly a personality at all; ... he is one of a crowd.

--Amiel.

Happy the heart that keeps its twilight hour, And in the depths of heavenly peace reclined, Loves to commune with thoughts of tender power-- Thoughts that ascend, like angels beautiful.

--Paul Hamilton Hayne.

The art of meditation may be exercised at all hours and in all places; and men of genius in their walks, at table, and amidst a.s.semblies, turning the eye of the mind inward, can form an artificial solitude; retired amidst a crowd, calm amidst distractions, and wise amidst folly.

--Disraeli.

Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.

--Psalm 4. 4.