Whenever we cross a river at a ford,

If we would pass in safety, we must keep
Our eyes fixed steadfast on the shore beyond,
For if we cast them on the flowing stream,
The head swims with it; so if we would cross
The running flood of things here in the world,
Our souls must not look down, but fix their sight
On the firm land beyond.

HENRY WADSworth Longfellow.

Almighty God, we turn our faces toward Thee, as the flowers turn theirs to the light. Thou art our Sun. Enlighten our lives, we pray Thee, by the unfailing glow of Thy grace. May there be no feeling of uncertainty or fear in us as we unfurl our sails to the winds of a new day; make us strong and of good courage in our quest for the better things of life. Protect us from yielding to such allurements as might draw us from the true course; we have set out to win the prize, help us to continue unto the end. In all things may we be true to duty and loyal to those who love us. Save us from discontent and loose us from the bonds of vanity and pride. Amen.

CHARLES ELMORE BARTO.

66

I dreamed the plowman told me: 'Grow your bread And tend your fields alone; I plow no more." The weaver bade me spin the clothes I wore,

The masons quit the wall above my head.
Deserted so by all who warmed and fed

And sheltered me, my heart was sad and sore,
For seek what path I would, I heard the roar
Of sullen lions; and the sky was lead.

My eyes fell open, and I saw the sun.

I heard a hundred hammers beat as one, The plowboy whistle, and the builder call; And then I knew my happiness ·

I felt my endless debt to other men.

and then

And since that morning I have loved them all. SULLY PRUDHOMME.

Compassionate Father! Thy love radiates light through all the world. It dispels darkness and removes the chill. Thy purpose for each and every child of Thine is happiness. Thy blessed Gospel is sweet in melody and rich in harmony. Thou wouldst set all the world a-singing. Measureless resource of wisdom and power are ours for the asking and the using. Enthrone Thyself, O Christ, in our hearts. Make us living beatitudes. Permit us to stand on the sunlit slopes, and at the sunset hour, grant us the holy coronation of Thy "Well Done." Amen.

A. Z. CONRAD.

Sorrow comes and sorrow goes,

Life is flecked with shine and shower;
Now the tear of grieving flows,

Now we smile in happy hour;
Death awaits us every one,

Toiler, dreamer, preacher, writer,
Let us, then, ere life be done

Make the world a little brighter.

Burdens that our neighbors bear,
Easier let us try to make them;
Chains, perhaps, our neighbors wear,
Let us do our best to break them;
From the straitened hand and mind
Let us loose the binding fetter;
Let us, as the Lord designed,
Make the world a little better.

DENIS A. MCCARTHY.

Heavenly Father, Light, Life, Holiness, this morning Thou confidest to us a new day. We have "slept in the hollow of Thy hand ", while watchfully Thou hast set in Thy night-skies the lights of all Thy worlds; now Thou awakest us to set for Thee in Thy day-skies earth's proper lights, which are faithfulness, truthfulness, loving-kindness. We look unto Thee for strength. May we live lovingly with those around us, and when evening comes may. thanksgiving, praise and prayer be unto Thee, "Who rulest over all things with the glory of a Father!" Amen.

JAMES V. BLAKE.

"I can't think what you can find to sing about," said a blackbird to a thrush, who was pouring out a joyous carol from the top of an old stump.

"Can't you?" said the thrush. “I can't help singing when I'm thankful."

66

That's just it," said the blackbird. “I can sing as well as any one when there's anything to be thankful for; but the ground is as hard as iron, there isn't a berry in the gardens, and where I am to get my breakfast from I'm sure I don't know. Perhaps you have had yours?"

'Not yet," said the thrush.

'Well, I would wait for my song till I had found some food, if I were you," said the blackbird.

"I've never gone without it yet, and I've no doubt I shall find some presently; at all events, it is a fancy I have to begin the day with a song."

ANONYMOUS.

Father, our hearts are in tune with Thee in this morning hour, and with the happy birds we pour forth our songs of praise. The thought that we are Thy children, with our great inheritance from Thee, fills us with joy unspeakable. We thank Thee for life, and its grand possibilities, and rejoice every day that in love and wisdom Thou art working out Thy will and purpose, which is for the highest good of every child. Let love which is the revealer of all things fill our hearts, and make us conscious of Thy eternal presence. Amen.

ABBIE E. DANFORTH.

Like the star

That shines afar,

Without haste

And without rest,

Let each man wheel with steady sway
Round the task that rules the day,

Take up your duty, whatever you can do to make the world more bright and good. Do whatever you can to help every struggling soul, to add strength to any staggering cause the poor sick man who is by you; the poor wronged man whom you with your influence can vindicate; the poor boy in your shop that you may set with new hope upon the road of life that is beginning already to look dark to him. You know your duty. No man ever looked for it and did not find it.

PHILLIPS BROOKS.

Our Father, we thank Thee that we find our highest joy in service; that even the little child is made glad by the consciousness of good bestowed or kindness rendered. Help us to fit our little duties into a larger thought of service to each other and to mankind. May we see that just as the particles of dust from the sweeper's hand are turned to seeming gold by a sunbeam, so a ray from that light of love within the breast which lighteth every man born into the world, turns our little duties into privileges and makes even drudgery divine. Amen.

LEON A. HARVEY.