No backward glance shall hinder or appall me: And better hopes and better motives call me; LILLIAN KNAPP. This is a grand day. The crocuses are peeping up just as pert and pretty. trees have turned green and getting bigger every day, and even the air feels like it's had a bath. I just love the spring. Everything says to you: "Good-morning! Here we are again. Let's begin all over." inside I say "All right," and I mean it. And KATE LANGLEY BOSHER. O Lord most merciful, who bringest the morning and the evening to us all, hear us, we beseech Thee, as once more we seek Thy favor. Thou hast given to each a new chance with the coming of the new day; Thou hast opened before us another page unspoiled as yet by sin or folly. Help us not only to believe that this is the best day the world has ever known, but to make it the fairest day in all the record we have written. To love as we live, - to be merciful, kind and free from guile, make this our ambition, we humbly pray Thee. FRANCIS H. ROWLEY. Amen. Sure, this world is full of trouble Lord! I've had enough an' double Rain an' storm have come to fret me, Thorns an' brambles have beset me On the road· * * * It's to-day that I am livin', Havin', losin', takin’, givin’, It may rain again to-morrow, It may rain - but say, Ain't it fine to-day! DOUGLAS MALLOCH. O God, who makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice; and the mountains and hills to break forth into singing; and all the trees of the field to clap their hands; grant to us, Thy children, hearts full of Thy joy and gladness. Let the light that Thou hast implanted in our souls so shine today that our little world may glow with gladness. Help us to lighten the load of the weary and heavyladen by the cheer and comfort we receive from Thee, so that at eventide there may be light. Amen. JAMES V. CHALMERS. Hark, the lilt of a robin's song! What cares he for raindrops falling? Fresh, shy, and sweet the primrose grows, Gently speaks a voice, heart-thrilling: STELLA E. SAXTON. Our Father, we are children in Thy home to-day. Help us to look out of the windows of the soul with a purpose to see everything that is happy and beautiful and good on the horizon of Thy world. Help us also to see with tender sympathy the weakness, the weariness and the failures of life. Teach us how to catch the inspiring messages of flowers and of birds and of twinkling stars. Lead us in our days of manhood and womanhood to find inspiration and joy in the challenge that comes out of the potential goodness of lives now wrong that may be made right, now weak that may be made strong by the boundless love of our Saviour. Amen. MYRON E. ADAMS. There is no cloud but hath a silver lining, No gloom that does not hide heaven's radiant blue; Pain is a passing cloud, the heart's repining Must end in victory, if that heart be true. For God is just and life the lesson learning Which Wisdom gives to mark the upward climb Of soul toward truth, nor can our backward turning Hinder or haste the coming of God's time. E. ALICE BRADLEY. O Lord, whose joy through years of sorrow never wavered; whose patience through deep passion never wearied, grant unto us this day the fact that brings Thee very near. In our battles, in our temptations, may we know Thy presence and be strong. Teach us that when one door shuts another opens, that we may never stand in doubt and give place to the adversary. May we come to know that worry is an enemy whom we in Thy strength may withstand and by such services may we greatly cheer our fellows. Grant that in the midst of the duties of this day and all days we may walk in the footsteps of our blessed Lord. Amen. ALBERT M. MACLEOD. Courage, brother! do not stumble, Let the road be rough and dreary, Perish policy and cunning, Perish all that fears the light! Trust no party, sect or faction; But in every word and action NORMAN MACLEOD. We thank Thee, our Father, for grace promised for every time of need. Thy Son, our Saviour, did not call His disciples to a life of ease. Hardships and crosses were theirs. We have seen how they were persecuted, but were enabled to endure and withal to enjoy "the peace which passeth understanding." As Thou didst guide and uphold Thy servants of old, so Thou wilt do unto us if we put our trust in Thee. Help us this day to meet every trial, conscious of Thy presence and sustaining grace. May we, trusting in Thee, do the right in all things. Amen. MERRICK O. BENNETT. |