Leaves of Life Part 89

The thing that goes the farthest Toward making life worth while, That costs the least, and does the most, Is just a pleasant smile.

That smile that bubbles from a heart That loves its fellow men Will drive away the cloud of gloom And coax the sun again.

--Anonymous.

One whom I knew intimately, and whose memory I revere, once in my hearing remarked that, "Unless we love people we cannot understand them." This was a new light to me.

--Christina G. Rossetti.

Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; So doth the sweetness of a man's friend that cometh of hearty counsel.

--Proverbs 27. 9.

Lord G.o.d, I pray that I may be worthy of my friends. May I not fear to go where I am called, and may I go cheerfully, even though the way be dark and lonesome. Amen.

NOVEMBER SIXTH

James Gregory born 1638.

John Bright born 1811.

Sir George Williams died 1905.

Look full into thy spirit's self, The world of mystery scan; What if thy way to faith in G.o.d Should lie through faith in man?

--John Bright.

Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of G.o.d's best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of oneself and seeing and appreciating whatever is n.o.ble and loving in another.

--Thomas Hughes.

Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the G.o.d of love and peace shall be with you.

--2 Corinthians 13. 11.

Lord G.o.d, I earnestly entreat thee to show me if I may be cramping the happiness in another's life by forcing in my selfishness and demands.

May I understand that perfect gifts are those that come through loving sacrifice. Make me ashamed to ask for what I refuse or prefer not to give. Amen.

NOVEMBER SEVENTH

Sir Martin Frobisher died 1594.

William Stukeley born 1687.

Friedrich Leopold, Count von s...o...b..rg, born 1750.

Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side; Some great cause, G.o.d's new Messiah offering each the bloom or blight, Parts the goats upon the left hand, and the sheep upon the right; And the choice goes by forever 'twixt that darkness and that light.

--James Russell Lowell.

We cannot command veracity at will; the power of seeing and reporting truly is a form of health that has to be delicately guarded, and as an ancient rabbi has solemnly said, "The penalty of untruth is untruth."

--George Eliot.

Behold, this only have I found: that G.o.d made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

--Ecclesiastes 7. 29.

My Father, help me to speak the truth and guard the truth, that righteousness may be an abiding influence in my life. Amen.

NOVEMBER EIGHTH

Edmund Halley born 1656.

John Milton died 1674.

Owen Meredith (Bulwer Edward Lytton) born 1831.

The morning drum-call on my eager ear Thrills unforgotten yet! the morning dew Lies yet undried along my field of noon.

But now I pause a while in what I do, And count the bell, and tremble lest I hear (My work untrimmed) the sunset gun too soon.

--Robert Louis Stevenson.

I fear Life's many changes, not Death's changelessness.

So perfect is this moment's pa.s.sing cheer, I needs must tremble lest it pa.s.s to less.

Thus in fickle love of life I live, Lest fickle life me of my love deprive.

--Owen Meredith.

And Jehovah said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore art thou thus fallen upon thy face?

Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow.

--Joshua 7. 10, 13.

Almighty G.o.d, help me in these fleeting days that I may not use my time to consider and hesitate, but be positive in my desires and pursue them. Grant that I may have the strength to hold each day precious, and live it more than consistently. Amen.