Leaves of Life Part 81

John Hay born 1838.

He weren't no saint; them engineers Is pretty much alike-- One wife in Natchez-under-the-Hill, Another one here in Pike; A keerless man in his talk was Jim, And an awkward hand in a row, But he never flunked, and he never lied-- I reckon he never knowed how.

--John Hay.

He is brave whose tongue is silent Of the trophies of his word.

He is great whose quiet bearing Marks his greatness well a.s.sured.

--Edwin Arnold.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, G.o.d, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men.

--Luke 18. 11.

Lord G.o.d, thou knowest what I am and where I belong. Have mercy upon me and strengthen me, that I may not through weakness stay in the darkness. Lead me out into the light; and may I find my way and be contented with it. Amen.

OCTOBER NINTH

Michael Cervantes born 1547.

Jacques Auguste de Thua.n.u.s (De Thou) born 1553.

Charles Camilla Saint-Saens born 1835.

I will not doubt, though all my s.h.i.+ps at sea Come drifting home with broken masts and sails; I shall believe the Hand which never fails From seeming evil worketh good for me; And though I weep because those sails are battered, Still will I cry, while my best hopes lie shattered, "I trust in Thee."

--Ella Wheeler Wilc.o.x.[1]

Cease every joy to glimmer on my mind.

But leave, O leave the light of hope behind.

--Thomas Campbell.

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

--Proverbs 13. 12.

Loving Father, help me to pa.s.s by my discouragements of yesterday and look into the hope of to-day. Make me more careful of my strength, and less forgetful of thy promises and of my trust. Amen.

[Footnote 1: Special permission W.B. Conkey, Hammond, Indiana.

Copyright 1912.]

OCTOBER TENTH

Henry Cavendish born 1731.

Benjamin West born 1738.

Hugh Miller born 1802.

Giuseppe Verdi born 1813.

Fridtjof Nansen born 1861.

We cannot make bargains for blisses, Nor catch them like fishes in nets; And sometimes the thing our life misses Helps more than the thing which it gets.

For good lieth not in pursuing, Nor gaining of great nor small, But just in the doing and doing As we would be done by is all.

--Alice Gary.

True, it is most painful not to meet the kindness and affection you feel you have deserved, and have a right to expect from others; but it is a mistake to complain, for it is no use; you cannot extort friends.h.i.+p with a c.o.c.ked pistol.

--Sydney Smith.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

--Matthew 22. 39.

Lord G.o.d, help me to understand that true affection is not that which as it gives feels it merits return. May I avoid being selfish and stubborn; and with my affections give peace and joy. Amen.

OCTOBER ELEVENTH

Sir Thomas Wyatt died 1542.

Dr. Samuel Clarke born 1675.

James Barry born 1741.

Ask G.o.d to give thee skill In comfort's art, That thou may'st consecrated be And set apart, Unto a life of sympathy; For heavy is the weight of ill In every heart; And comforters are needed much Of Christlike touch.

--Alexander Hamilton.

The man who melts With social sympathy though not allied, Is than a thousand kinsmen of more worth.

--Euripides.

Who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of G.o.d.

--2 Corinthians 1. 4.

Heavenly Father, thou hast made sympathy divine. May I never make it commonplace. Grant that as thou dost bless and comfort me I may be willing to comfort others, and do whatsoever thou wouldst have me do.