Let nothing disturb thee, Who God possesseth In nothing is wanting; Alone God sufficeth. HENRY WADSWORTH LONGfellow. Our Heavenly Father, Thou alone art the Refuge of our hearts. "Within the shadows Thou keepest watch above Thine own." We thank Thee for the comfort which Thy presence brings. We bless Thee for the promises which we have tested and proved. Help us to do our best. May we train every faculty by exercise. Teach us not to expect Thee to assist us when we are not alert ourselves. But when we have done all, warn us that without Thy blessing all is futile and assure us that with Thy help our weakest endeavors are illuminated and effective. And when evening comes, pilot us Home through the mists, and bring us across the bar into the harbor where we would be. For Jesus' sake. Amen. CHARLES HOWLAND COOKMAN. They all led out of my lie of Fac A whispering stream, and a spore of mone The white road led to the Tree of bea But the way of the smoke was be! Now I am back from the Tower of Gen My river is long gone dry: insin Is the heavenward trail of si, mai ma WILLIAM HErr Tone God, creator of il edge & mer Build for youself a strong box, Fashion each part with care; When it's strong as your hand can make it, Tell no one else its contents, Never its secrets share; When you've dropped in your care and worry Keep them forever there; Hide them from sight so completely That the world will never dream half; Fasten the strong box securely Then sit on the lid and laugh. ANONYMOUS. God of the sunlight and the happy life, touch our hearts with joy. Fill our days with goodwill and good cheer. Teach us to walk by faith, if not by sight. Show us the meaning of trials, temptations and sorrows. May we know that burdens are but folded wings which we may spread and use for upward flight. May the light break through every cloud and peace follow every storm. Troubles which we ought to bear alone and silently, may we bear with the quietness and confidence of a manly faith, and those that we may rightly share may we find loving hearts and ready hands to help us carry; and may we ever rest our weakness on Thy strength. So may many hearts be lightened, and none made heavier because of ours. Amen. CHRISTOPHER R. ELIOT. They all led out of my Vale of Youth, A whispering stream, and a spire of smoke The white road led to the Towers of Gain, The river, to Far Romance, But the way of the smoke was lost, I thought, Now I am back from the Towers of Gain, My river is long gone dry; but here Is the heavenward trail of old; and soon WILLIAM HERVEY WOODS. Almighty God, creator of all, and giver of every good and perfect gift: Give us of Thy sustaining grace, that we may be helped in the duties of the day. Give us of Thy power that we may conquer in the strife, that temptation may be resisted, that sin may be overcome, and that we may abstain from all that is wrong. In the midst of life's vicissitudes and trials, comfort us. As Thou didst lead Thy children of old onward to the promised land, so lead us onward toward Thy light. Amen. WILLIAM BRECKENRIDGE. |