Chapter 7

Almighty God, I pray that I may seek sincerely those whom I approach with sympathy, and by my honor may they feel the same sincerity for me. Amen.

[Footnote 1: Special permission Cosmopolitan Magazine, New York.]

MAY SEVENTH

Correggio born 1494.

Robert Browning born 1812.

Johannes Brahms born 1833.

Lord Rosebery (Archibald Primrose) born 1847.

So, take and use thy work: amend what flaws may lurk, What strain o' the stuff, what warpings past the aim! My times be in Thy hand! perfect the cup as planned! Let age approve of youth, and death complete the same!

--Robert Browning.

No matter how often defeated, you are born to victory. The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson.

When I hear a young man spoken of as giving promise of high genius, the first question I ask about him is always--Does he work?

--John Ruskin.

Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

--Matthew 5. 48.

O God, I pray that thou wilt search me, and in the silent moments show me myself without obstruction. Breathe upon me thy awakening breath, that I may be revived to nobler activities. Amen.

MAY EIGHTH

Rev. William Jay born 1769.

François Mignet born 1796.

Louis Gottschalk born 1829.

John Stuart Mill died 1873.

A profound conviction raises a man above the feeling of ridicule.

--John Stuart Mill.

A garden is a lonesome thing, God wot! Rose plot, Fringed pool, Ferned grot-- The veriest school Of peace; and yet the fool Contends that God is not-- Not God! in the gardens! when the eve is cool? Nay but I have a sign; 'Tis very sure God walks in mine.

--Thomas E. Brown.

Jehovah bless thee, and keep thee: Jehovah make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

--Numbers 6. 24, 25, 26.

My Father, may this be a day of usefulness. Make me sure of myself, that I may not spend my days in questioning, but accept with gratefulness thy love and tender care. Make me worthy to be called thy child. Amen.

MAY NINTH

John Brown (Ossawattomie) born 1800.

Johann Schiller died 1805.

J.M. Barrie born 1860.

Have love! not love alone for one, But man as man thy brother call: And scatter like the circling sun Thy charities on all.

--Johann Schiller.

He spoke, and words more soft than rain Brought the Age of Gold again: His action won such reverence sweet, As hid all measure of the feat.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson.

That their hearts might be comforted, they being knit together in love.

--Colossians 2. 2.

Gracious Lord, I pray that I may not only be known to those who are my own, but may I consider all mankind. May those who need me find me through my gentleness, and may they be assured by quiet confidence and faith. Amen.

MAY TENTH

Rouget de l'Isle born 1760.

Jared Sparks born 1789.

James Bryce born 1838.

Sir Henry Stanley died 1904.

For four months and four days I lived with David Livingstone in the same house, or in the same boat, or in the same tent, and I never found a fault in him. I am a man of quick temper, and often without sufficient cause, I dare say, have broken the ties of friendship; but with Livingstone I never had cause for resentment, but each day's life with him added to my admiration for him.

--Sir Henry Stanley.

In speech right gentle, yet so wise: princely of mien, Yet softly mannered; modest, deferent, And tender-hearted, though of a fearless blood.

--Edwin Arnold.

Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.

--Matthew 5. 14.

Almighty God, help me to aspire, that my life may tend toward the ideal. May I be persuaded that I cannot be that which I do not possess, nor can I live in that which I do not know. Help me to put the best in what I do, that I may not feel I have failed, even though it may not seem to be a success. Amen.

MAY ELEVENTH

Baron Münchhausen born 1720.

William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, died 1778.

Jean Léon Gérôme born 1824.

And methought that beauty and terror are only one, not two; And the world has room for love, and death, and thunder and dew; And all the sinews of hell slumber in the summer air; And the face of God is a rock, but the face of the rock is fair. Beneficent streams of tears flow at the finger of pain; And out of the cloud that smites, beneficent rivers of rain.

--Robert Louis Stevenson.

It is more shameful to be distrustful of our friends than to be deceived by them.

--La Rochefoucauld.

Thou shalt rejoice in all the good which Jehovah thy God hath given unto thee.

--Deuteronomy 26. 11.

Lord God, may I comprehend the sacredness of friendship. I thank thee for my friends, and for all the beautiful influences which they bring to my life. May I never hold friendship without the sincerity to return it. Correct my faults, and cause me to learn the secret of cheerful endurance, that I may be steadfast. Amen.

MAY TWELFTH

Robert Fielding died 1712.

James Sheridan Knowles born 1784.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti born 1828.

Jules Massenet born 1842.

Look in my face; my name is Might-have-been; I am also called No-more, Too-late, Farewell; Unto thine ear I hold the dead sea-shell Cast up thy Life's foam-fretted feet between; Unto thine eyes the glass where that is seen Which had Life's form and Love's, but by my spell Is now a shaken shadow intolerable, Of ultimate things unuttered the frail screen.

--Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Let me not pass my work at morn And then at eve, Find for what purpose I was born-- Just as I leave.

--M.B.S.

We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

--John 9. 4.

Lord God, I do earnestly pray that thou wilt give me strength to break away, if I may be trying to free myself from habits that mar my character. May I not lose courage and fall back in the old ways, but by faith be led where I should go. Amen.

MAY THIRTEENTH

Carolus Linnæus (Karl von Linné) born 1707.

Alphonse Daudet born 1840.

Sir Arthur Sullivan born 1842.

I heard a voice in the darkness singing (That was a valiant soul I knew), And the joy of his song was a wild bird winging Swift to his mate through a sky of blue.

And his song was of love and all its bringing And of certain day when the night was through; I raised my eyes where the hope was springing, And I think in his heaven God smiled too (That was a valiant soul I knew).

--J. Stalker.

The soul aids the body, and at certain moments raises it. It is the only bird which bears upward its own cage.

--Victor Hugo.

But desire earnestly the greater gifts.

--1 Corinthians 12. 31.

Gracious Lord, I rejoice that thou dost know the depths of my soul, and that I may call upon thee to supply its needs. Make me worthy that I may not be kept from the springs of joy where my soul may be refreshed, and where I may gather hope and encouragement for the greater loves of life. Amen.

MAY FOURTEENTH

John Dutton born 1659.

Gabriel D. Fahrenheit born 1686.

Robert Owen born 1771.

Henry Grattan died 1820.

They that wander at will where the Works of the Lord are revealed, Little guess what joy can be got From a cowslip out of the field.

--Alfred Tennyson.

Move onward serenely, cast aside regret, cleanse and purify life, only be undismayed and hopeful, as you turn page after page of the revelation of God.

--Arthur C. Benson.

Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fullness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

--Psalm 16. 11.

My Father, I thank thee that nature reveals thy power as she unfolds her beauty and wonder to the searching eye. Guide me that I may see in the little flower the smile of welcome, the look of kindness, and the beauty of hope which it renders to all; and may I learn from it thy protection in the smallest things of life. Amen.

MAY FIFTEENTH

Ephraim Chambers died 1740.

Florence Nightingale born 1820.

Michael W. Balfe born 1808.

Edmund Keane died 1833.

Daniel O'Connell died 1847.

Light human nature is too lightly lost And ruffled without cause, complaining on, Restless with rest, until being overthrown, It learneth to lie quiet.

--Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Was the trial sore? Temptation sharp? Thank God a second time! Why comes temptation but for a man to meet And master and make crouch beneath his foot, And so be pedestaled in triumph? Pray "Lead us into no such temptations, Lord!" Yea, but, O thou whose servants are the bold, Lead such temptations by the head and hair, Reluctant dragons, up to who dares fight That so he may do battle and have praise.

--Robert Browning.

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them.

--Hebrews 2. 1.

Almighty God, if I am overwhelmed by the tides of temptation and discouragement, let me not drift away to sea, but anchor and take harbor in thee. May I not be afraid to trust in thy protection, but calmly wait and watch for thy deliverance. Amen.

MAY SIXTEENTH

Sir William Patty born 1623.

Honore de Balzac born 1799.

William H. Seward born 1801.

Felicia Hemans died 1835.

Favored of Heaven! O Genius! are they thine, When round thy brow the wreaths of glory shine; While rapture gazes on thy radiant way, 'Midst the bright realms of clear mental day? No! sacred joys! 'tis yours to dwell enshrined, Most fondly cherished, in the purest mind.

--Felicia Hemans.

Genius is intensity.

--Honore Balzac.

But what if I fail of my purpose here? It is but to keep the nerves at strain, To dry one's eyes and laugh at a fall, And, baffled, get up and begin again-- So the chase takes up one's life, that's all.

--Robert Browning.

Be urgent in season, out of season.

--2 Timothy 4. 2.

My Lord, my life makes me conscious of weakness, and my memory brings regret; forgive me for the lost strength I neglected to develop. In thy compassion encourage me to be more watchful of my power, that I may usefully increase it, and not willfully deplete it. May I learn the need of constancy in well-doing. Amen.

MAY SEVENTEENTH

Heloise died 1163.

Matthew Parker died 1575.

Edwin Jenner born 1749.

The weakest among us has a gift, however seemingly trivial, which is peculiar to him, and which worthily used, will be a gift to his race forever.

--John Ruskin.

Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God who is our home.

--William Wordsworth.

A weak mind sinks under prosperity as well as under adversity. A strong and deep mind has two highest tides--when the moon is at full, and when there is no moon.

--Julius Hare.

Thou hast granted me life and lovingkindness; And thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.

--Job 10. 12.

Almighty God, I pray that I may have a true appreciation of the quality of life. Reveal to me my responsibilities and help me to make them my opportunities. Keep me in search of thoughts and deeds that will increase the delight of my soul. Amen.

MAY EIGHTEENTH

Francis Mahony (Father Prout) died 1866.

Mrs. Johnson (Stella) born 1735.

John Wilson (Christopher North) born 1785.

Longing is God's fresh heavenward will, With our poor earthly striving; We quench it, that we may be still Content with merely living.

But would we learn that heart's full scope Which we are hourly wronging, Our lives must climb from hope to hope, And realize our longing.

--James Russell Lowell.

Pretexts are not wanted when one wishes a thing.

--Goldoni.

Friendship is for all aid and comfort through all the relations of life and death--for serene days and graceful gifts and country rambles; but also for rough roads, and hard fare, shipwreck, poverty, and persecution.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Strive to enter in by the narrow door.

--Luke 13. 24.

Eternal God, I pray that thou wilt graciously restore my spirits if I may have settled into despondency over my disappointments. May I have the will to rise above them, and patiently strive for renewed hope. Amen.

MAY NINETEENTH

James Boswell died 1795.

Johann Gottlieb Fichte born 1762.

William E. Gladstone died 1898.

Tired! Well, what of that? Didst fancy life was spent on beds of ease, Fluttering the rose-leaves scattered by the breeze? Come! rouse thee, work while it is called to-day! Coward, arise--go forth upon the way!

Lonely! And what of that? Some one must be lonely; 'tis not given to all To feel a heart responsive rise and fall, To blend another life into its own; Work may be done in loneliness; work on.

Dark! Well, what of that? Didst fondly dream the sun would never set? Dost fear to lose thy way? Take courage yet, Learn thou to walk by faith and not by sight, Thy steps will be guided, and guided right.

--Unknown.

And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

--Galatians 6. 9.

My Father, if thou wert far off I could not reach thee in time, for I falter so much and need thee so often. I pray that thou wilt keep so near that I can feel thy love and strength breathing within me. Amen.

MAY TWENTIETH

Elizabeth G. Fry born 1780.

John Stuart Mill born 1806.

Alfred Domett born 1811.

Rudolf H. Lotze born 1817.

Marquis de Lafayette died 1834.

Nature has written a letter of credit upon some men's faces which is honored wherever presented. You cannot help trusting such men; their very presence gives confidence. There is a "promise to pay" in their faces which gives confidence, and you prefer it to another man's indorsement. Character is credit.

--William M. Thackeray.

Henry Drummond has told us how in the heart of Africa he came across men and women who remembered the only white man they ever saw before--David Livingstone; and as you cross his footsteps in the dark continent men's faces light up as they speak of the kind doctor who passed there years ago. They could not understand him; but they felt the love that beat in his heart.

Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.

--James 3. 13.

My Lord, inspire me with kind words and thoughtful deeds, that I may share the yearnings and sympathy of others. May my life show that I am dependable, and may none be left lonely to-day because of my forgetfulness. Amen.

MAY TWENTY-FIRST

Albrecht Dürer born 1471.

Fernando de Soto died 1542.

Alexander Pope born 1688.

Self-love but serves the virtuous mind to wake As the small pebble stirs the peaceful lake; The center moved, a circle straight succeeds, Another still, and still another spreads; Friend, parent, neighbor, first it will embrace, Its country next, and next, the human race.

--Alexander Pope.

A gentleman is one who understands and shows every mark of deference to the claim of self-love in others, and exacts it in return from them.

--William Hazlitt.

But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

--Job 23. 10.

Lord God, teach me how secret actions make or destroy my life. Show me the deep lines made by sorrow and discontent that cannot be effaced. May I look toward the corrections of life and not on my imperfections, that my life may be a helpful influence. Amen.

MAY TWENTY-SECOND

Newman Hall born 1816.

Wilhelm Richard Wagner born 1813.

Maria Edgeworth died 1849.

Victor Hugo died 1885.

Who cares for the burden, the night, and the rain, And the long, steep, lonesome road, When at last through the darkness a light shines plain, When a voice calls "Hail," and a friend draws rein, With an arm for the stubborn load?

For life is the chance of a friend or two This side of the journey's goal. Though the world be a desert the long night through, Yet the gay flowers bloom and the sky shows blue When a soul salutes a soul.

--Unknown.

In all misfortune the greatest consolation is a sympathizing friend.

--Cervantes.

They help every one his neighbor; and every one saith to his brother, Be of good courage.

--Isaiah 41. 6.

Loving Father, may I lay hold upon the highest standards of friendship and so be qualified to be a friend. May those who call and lean on me feel secure in my support. May none ever be ashamed to call me friend. Grant that those whom I love may keep faith with me. Amen.

MAY TWENTY-THIRD

Thomas Hood born 1798.

Margaret Fuller Ossoli born 1810.

Henrik Ibsen died 1896.

Dr. John Campbell died 1861.

Chance cannot touch me! Time cannot hush me! Fear, Hope, and longing, at strife; Sink as I rise, on, on, upward forever, Gathering strength, gaining breath-- Naught can sever Me from the Spirit of Life.

--Margaret Fuller.

But evil is wrought by want of thought, as well as want of heart.

--Thomas Hood.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward.

--Romans 8. 18.

Heavenly Father, cause the newness of life to continue to flow through my heart, that I may not be fatigued, as I struggle with discouragements. Release me from hopeless cares that I have made mine, thinking they were thine. May I trust in the boundless limit of thy mercy, and rejoice in the world of living light. Amen.

MAY TWENTY-FOURTH

Jean Paul Marat born 1744.

Stephen Girard born 1750.

Sir Robert Adair born 1763.

Queen Victoria born 1819.

Caroline Fox born 1819.

I see my way as birds their trackless way. I shall arrive! what time, what circuit first, I ask not: but unless God send his hail Or blinding fireballs, sleet, or stifling snow, In some time, his good time, I shall arrive: He guides me and the bird.

--Robert Browning.

To live in the presence of great truths and eternal laws--that is what keeps a man patient when the world ignores him, and calm and unspoiled when the world praises him.

--Honore Balzac.

But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.

--Proverbs 29. 25.

Lord Jehovah, all goodness, tenderness, and forbearance that are in my life have come from thee. May I not lose them in self, but by them make possible happiness and endurance for others. Amen.

MAY TWENTY-FIFTH

Ralph Waldo Emerson born 1803.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton (George) born 1803.

Dr. William Paley died 1805.

William Henry Channing born 1810.

Hast thou named all the birds without a gun? Loved the wild rose, and left it on the stalk? At rich men's tables eaten bread and pulse? Unarmed faced danger with a heart of trust? And loved so well a high behavior, In man or maid, that thou from speech refrained, Nobility more noble to repay? O, be my friend and teach me to be thine!

--Ralph Waldo Emerson.

What the superior man seeks is in himself; What the small man seeks is in others.

--Confucius.

Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go.

--Proverbs 22. 24.

Lord God, may I live for the pure and upright, and have the blessedness of a rejoicing heart. May I yearn for the secrets of nature. Grant that my life may not seek destruction, but tenderly find and protect life. Amen.

MAY TWENTY-SIXTH

The Venerable Bede died 735.

Count Nicolas Ludwig Zinzendorf born 1800.

Capel Lofft died 1821.

Let us disengage ourselves from care about the passing things of time; let us soar above our worldly possessions. The bee does not less need its wings when it has gathered an abundant store, for if it sink in the honey, it dies.

--Saint Augustine.

Perhaps if we could penetrate nature's secrets, we should find that what we call needs are more essential to the well-being of the world than the most precious grain or fruit.

--Nathaniel Hawthorne.

We trust the Lord in faith serene, A ladder he hath given; The lower rounds in earth are seen, The higher reach to heaven.

--Thomas Brevior.

Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment?

--Matthew 6. 25.

Almighty God, I bless thee for the privilege of a great life. May I not be satisfied to rest with idle hands in youth and make age regretful because I have lived a useless life: but with a clear eye and an exalted mind may I choose the "durable satisfactions" that may be mine. Amen.

MAY TWENTY-SEVENTH

Alighieri Dante born 1265.

John Calvin died 1564.

Julia Ward Howe born 1819.

Noah Webster died 1843.

John Kendrick Bangs born 1862.

To your judgments give ye not the reins With too much eagerness, like him who ere The corn be ripe, is fain to count the grains: For I have seen the briar through the winter snows Look sharp and stiff--yet on a future day High on its summit bear the tender rose: And ship I've seen, that through the storm hath passed, Securely bounding o'er the watery way, At entrance of the harbor wrecked at last.

--Dante, translated by Wright.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me: As he died to make men holy, let us die to make them free, While God is marching on.

--Julia Ward Howe.

Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding.

--Proverbs 3. 5.

Lord God, help me to know my ability, that I may not attempt with weakness that which requires strength to undertake; and make me stable that I may not relax vigilance even though victory seems assured. Amen.

MAY TWENTY-EIGHTH

William Pitt born 1759.

Thomas Moore born 1779.

Louis Agassiz born 1807.

The bird let loose in eastern skies, When hastening fondly home, Ne'er stoops to earth her wing, nor flies Where idle warblers roam; But high she shoots through air and light, Above all low delay, Where nothing earthly bounds her flight, Nor shadow dims her way.

--Thomas Moore.

Remember, the essence of religion is, a heart void of offense toward God and man; not subtle speculative opinions, but an active principle of faith.

--William Pitt.

And hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts.

--Romans 5. 5.

God of mercy, reveal to me the hallowed life. May I be reminded that, while I may save and keep the dust from things that perish, my life, though unkept and undeveloped, tells in itself the value and need of the most watchful care. Amen.

MAY TWENTY-NINTH

Patrick Henry born 1736.

Joseph Fouche born 1763.

Josephine died 1814.

Gerald Massey born 1829.

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.

--Patrick Henry.

Though hearts brood o'er the past, our eyes With smiling features glisten; For lo! our day bursts up the skies, Lean out your souls and listen! The world is following freedom's way, And ripening with her sorrow; Take heart! Who bears the cross to-day Shall wear the crown to-morrow.

--Gerald Massey.

For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.

--2 Timothy 1. 7.