Who calls his life a failure; have you thought
How cruel and unjust the charge might be?
Has all your long experience never taught,
That many battles may be bravely fought,
Which do not lead to open victory?

Heaven credits us, we trust, with our intent,
And not with every weak and stumbling fall;
Else could we understand but little meant
When speaking of the care beneficent,

That in His Providence, is showered on all.

God our poor judgments often will reverse,
Interpreting our failures as success,
He placed us here for better and for worse,
And though some lives may seem to hold a curse,
Yet each can have its little power to bless.
HENRY W. COLBY.

O God, we thank Thee that though the battle may be lost the campaign may be won. Let not difficulties be looked upon as defeats. Spirit Divine, be our interpreter. Our inexperience and our childishness make us needful that the things of God be shown unto us in tenderness and patience and love. When we enter the paths where darkness makes each step uncertain, be Thou our guide. In the morning give us the open mind, and at evening rest in the Beloved. Amen.

SMITH THOMAS FORD.

The pessimist firefly sat on a weed

In the dark of a moonless night;
With folded wings drooped over his breast
He moped and he moaned for light.

66

There is nothing but weeds on the earth," said he, "And there isn't a star in the sky.

"Then be your own star! then be your own star!” An optimist firefly said,

"If you'll leap from your weed, and will open your wings

And bravely fly afar,

You will find you will shine like a star yourself,

You will be yourself a star;

Yes, the thing you need
Is to leap from your weed
And be yourself a star.”

SAM WALTER FOSS.

Thou Spirit of Light, we come to Thee with the prayer that we may have in ourselves the light of life. We thank Thee for that inner radiance by which, when faith survives, all darkness is driven from our souls, and light extinguishes fear. O Lord, let us not wait for the stars, nor the moon, nor the sun, nor any prophet, to light our way, - but by the inner light of faith kindled into flame let us find our way through all the tangle of life towards the heights. Amen.

GEORGE L. PERIN.

Seems dark and lone the way?
Be of good cheer!

Think not that thou canst stray,
With Love so near!

Love guides thee every hour,
Where'er thou be,

Protects with gentle power
Unfailingly.

Then, pilgrim, lift thine heart,

The light to see!

Bid every fear depart,

Love walks with thee!

EDITH L. PERKINS.

Father, sometimes the path we have to take seems to be surrounded with shadows and to lead nowhere. Guide us, dear God, make very plain the way we ought to go and give us the sense of Thy protection. When we feel we are alone, wilt Thou take our hand and firmly lead us onward. May we always know that Thou, in Thy fatherly love, wilt never leave us, even for a brief time. So keep us near to Thee until at last we do indeed see Thee face to face. Amen. GERTRUDE STEVENS LEAVITT.

Hast ever thought, O thou of cynic tongue,
Who aimest shafts with such envenomed point,
Inveighing at a world so out of joint,

That all of Life from the same Hand had sprung
And that a Master Hand? Canst thou believe

That He who filled our lives with joy and light
Has not within His grasp a power and might
In perfect harmony His plans to weave?
O ye of little faith? Can ye not trust,
Reasoning from what ye know, to the unknown?
Wait ye in patient hope because ye must,

Nor think that God will not protect his own.
Sublime conceit, that rears its puny thought
Where wisest minds have but too feebly taught !
HENRY W. COLBY.

O God, the life giver, by Thy Holy Spirit inspire new faith, that we may build at the dawn of another day, on the wreckage of the doubts of yesterday; speak courage to our perplexed souls, that looking into Thy face, O Blessed Jesus, we may cry "Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief!" Teach us, O Lord, to trust Thy protecting love, make us conscious of Thy presence, then shall the richest joy of divine companionship be ours; grant that over our lives may break the vision of that golden tomorrow, of social welfare and spiritual benediction for all our fellow beings, which shall come if we, in the morning of our days, fulfill the task Thou hast given us to do. Amen.

HENRY FORSYTHE MILLIGAN.

Who is the Angel that cometh?

Life!

Let us not question what he brings,
Peace or Strife,

Under the shade of his mighty wings,

One by one,

Are his secrets told;

One by one,

Lit by the rays of each morning sun,
Shall a new flower its petals unfold,
With the mystery hid in its heart of gold.
We will arise and go forth to greet him,
Singing, gladly, with one accord;
"Blessed is he that cometh

In the name of the Lord!"

ADELAIDE A. PROCTER.

O God, our Father, we thank Thee for this new day. Come joy or sorrow, toil or rest, the day is Thine. We know not what it may bring us, but we trust Thee. Amid dangers, cares and mysteries, enfold us in Thy love. Let us not wander into dark and forbidden paths. Let Thy presence be light, strength and joy. May mystery be an allurement, not a discouragement. Make us content with what Thou dost provide, and satisfied to see one step at a time. Let it be enough for us that Thou knowest the way we take. Make us strong for our tasks, brave for our trials, and patient in welldoing. Amen.

GEORGE S. ROLLINS.