Can we believe, O God, that we have done If, like small flowers, we brave the burning sun, A better heritage than there upon That lonely hill to bloom and fade and die; Some haggard soul uplift his weary eye, And pause amid the muddy world's dull strife Is this to live the veritable life? EMERSON G. TAYLOR. -- O Spirit of the Morning, too often we cry out from deep shade, Watchman, what of the night, too frequently we wander in the gloaming, reveal to us the brightness of Thy face. Give us the patience and the fortitude to do the day's work, whate'er it be. If some humble duty, may the knowledge that it is the King's business make it of imperial concern; if some great task, may it invest us with sunbeams and humility that we have been thought worthy of it. And when the day itself is almost done, may we await with assurance the dearest promise of all· at even time shall there be light! Amen. EDWIN W. BISHOP. Any one can carry his burden, However hard, for one day. Any one can live sweetly, patiently, ANONYMOUS. O Thou, who art the burden-bearer of humanity, Thou biddest Thy children rest all their anxieties and burdens on Thee. Thou givest power to the faint, and to the weary, rest. There is no loneliness and darkness where Thou art. May faith never fail us that we should forget Thy gracious, saving presence, or cease to see Thee close by our side and more than ready to assist. Thou art the Comforter, the Helper, the Lover, a friend in times of adversity and prosperity. We need Thee in both, and we can surely have Thee every moment. are indeed pilgrims and strangers here, but with Thee to guide us we shall not falter on our journey or lose the way. Enfold us in Thy kindly care, and throw around us Thine everlasting arms. Amen. JAMES MUDGE. We Teach me to feel another's woe, ALEXANDER Pope. Make a rule and pray to God to help you to keep it, never if possible, to lie down at night without being able to say "I have made one human being a little wiser, a little happier, or a little better this day." You will find it easier than you think, and pleasanter. RUSKIN. We pray Thee, our heavenly Father, to deepen in our hearts the desire to share with others all Thy good gifts. Open our eyes to see more clearly the sin, the sorrow and the suffering in the world about us; then make us eagerly glad to go forth as Thy messengers of helpfulness, comfort and good cheer. Make us generous, loving and large-hearted toward all whom we meet, in this short journey of earthly life. May we see our own faults rather than the failings of others. Enable us with unselfish, Christlike love bravely to help overthrow all organized evil and to hasten the coming of Thy kingdom upon earth. Amen. ANNA A. GORDON. We'll sing of the better things, my friend, We'll trust to-morrow to heal our sorrow Who need the sun and the shine of life We'll trust in the better things, my friend, We'll sing of the light instead of the night, • We'll chase the shadows and grief away, And maybe God's answer will come some day To the heart that sweetest sings. FOLGER MCKINSEY. I would be quiet, Lord, Not one small need of mine JULIA C. R. DORR. Let me be a little kinder, Let me be a little braver Let me be a little meeker EDGAR A. GUEST. The day returns and brings us the petty round of irritating concerns and duties. Help us to play the man, help us to perform them with laughter and kind faces; let cheerfulness abound with industry. Give us to go blithely on our business all this day, bring us to our resting beds weary and content and undishonored; and grant us in the end the gift of sleep. Amen. ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. |