His spiritual nerve in solitude;
Self-trusting, self-sustained, and self-imbued;
Seeking God in his own heart's secret place.
To perfect self, and in that self embrace
The triune essence of truth, beauty, and good;
This is fulfilment, this beatitude
Throned high above base fears and hopes more base.
What shall it profit us, if, gaining all
The privilege of priest-made paradise,
We lose therewith our self which is the soul?
And wherefore should we shrink from even the fall,
If haply we should fail with steadfast eyes
Fixed only on so bright, so pure a goal?_
JOHN ADDINGTON SYMONDS.
Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the gift of a new day, for the tasks
which it brings, and for the strength with which we rise to its
requirements. Help us, through all this day, to remember Thee. Thou art
our strength, our guide, our inspiration. Fill us with the courage born
of faith. Let us feel that, seeking to do right, we shall be moved and
aided by an unseen Power. In all our experiences this day, help us to
speak the truth, to be loyal to friendship, to be steadfast in
principle, to fight the good fight and to keep the faith. Bless our
endeavors to give heart and hope to other souls; and grant them the
presence of Thy loving spirit. Amen.
JOHN CLARENCE LEE.
June 22
_Let a man start out at breakneck speed in the morning, pushing and
driving and hurrying as if it were a matter of life and death to
accomplish a given task before noon, and he will generally end by
working himself into a fever of anxiety and harassing care before
night, and the man who, under any pretext whatsoever, whether for
the sake of wealth or learning or pleasure, has pursued this mad,
rushing, whirling method of life for fifteen or twenty years, will
find himself thoroughly disqualified for the normal enjoyment of
life thenceforward to the end of his days._
GEORGE L. PERIN.
Most gracious God! Thou who hast sustained us through the night watches,
and who now openest to us the day, with its promise of good and
opportunity for service, we still depend upon that heavenly faithfulness
which never fails. We look to Thee for the quickening of our best
powers. We would be laborers together with Thee to-day, not as driven to
irksome tasks, but as honored with a welcome privilege. Whether we plant
or water may we do it faithfully, and then trust Thee for the desired
increase. May it please Thee to quiet our anxieties, to lay to rest our
unworthy fears, and to assure us of Thine over-ruling providence; and
thus through all our toiling may we enjoy large measures of the peace
that passeth understanding. Amen.
JAMES EDWARD WRIGHT.
June 23
_I do not say you can make yourself merry and happy when you are in
a physical condition which is contrary to such mental condition,
but by practice and effort you can learn to withdraw from it,
refusing to allow your judgments and actions to be ruled by it.
"What does that matter?" you will learn to say. "It is enough for
me to know that the sun does shine, and that this is only a weary
fog that is round about me for a moment. I shall come out into the
light beyond presently." This is faith,--faith in God, who is
Light._
GEORGE MACDONALD.
Our Father, residing in the light incomprehensible and who art seeing
and providing all good for Thine immortal household, when mid investing
clouds we shall hail Thy presence, transforming weakness into perfect
strength and sighs and groans into joy and swelling songs, above all the
many rightful subjects of Christian petition, we pray that Thou wilt
always press us near to Thee to feel Thy loving heart-beats and dwell in
the light in which is no darkness at all. We pray not to be spared any
of our full part of the burdens needful to this day, but to be given the
measure of grace to maintain unfaltering steps. Behold with compassion
the errors that befall us as we, too, compassionate others. Amen.
JACOB STRAUB.
June 24
_We are all perhaps familiar with the story of the little
housemaid, who, when she was asked why she thought she had become a
Christian, replied, after a little hesitation, "Because I sweep
under the mats." A very poor reason at first sight, and only
significant from the fact of the master-motive underlying the fact
itself. A child's reasoning--but did not quaint old Herbert employ
the same fine logic when he sang:_
_"Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws.
Makes that and the action fine!"_
WILLIAM MOODIE.
Dear Lord of Life and Light, at the dawn of another day we rise to thank
Thee for Thy watchful care, imparting strength and vitality during the
closed hours of the night. Thy gift of eternal life is ours by Thy
creatorship and love, and we would pray that in no way during this
coming day shall we dishonor our birthright by evil thought or action.
Help us to aspire to hold fast and develop Thy holy characteristics,
normal to us and made active by our wills. We thank Thee for the goal
revealed to us as our destiny, the spirit displayed by our Master, Jesus
Christ, and like Him may we lean on Thee daily for the strengthening of
our faith and the maturing of our plans. Amen.
CHARLES E. LUND.
June 25
_They are tired of what is old,
We will give it voices new;
For the half hath not been told
Of the beautiful and true._
GEORGE MACDONALD.
_The common problem, yours, mine, everyone's,
Is not to fancy what were fair in life
Provided it could be--but finding first
What may be, than find how to make it fair
Up to our means, a very different thing._
ROBERT BROWNING.
Thou Infinite Heart! our hearts go out after Thee, not for past, not for
future, not for what was, though dear, not for what may be, though in
vision precious,--not these the burden of our prayer. Our hearts crave
peace, comfort with what is. May we confide in Thee so utterly that the
old pain is eased, the anxious foreboding is dispelled, self-will merged
in divine will, self-direction yielding to divine leading. Lo! our
prayer is answered in the making and we are helped. Amen.
STANFORD MITCHELL.
June 26
_Today is your day and mine, the only day we have, the day in which
we play our part. What our part may signify in the great whole, we
may not understand, but we are here to play it, and now is our
time. This we know, it is a part of action, not of whining. It is a
part of love, not cynicism. It is for us to express love in terms
of human helpfulness. This we know, for we have learned from sad
experience that any other course of life leads toward weakness and
misery._
DAVID STARR JORDAN.
Our Father, Author alike of the morning light and Guardian through the
darkness and shadow of the night, grant us the right spirit as we go
forth to the unknown experiences of this day. We would not look eagerly
for our own comfort and happiness, but would find them as Thy free gift
while we are employed in giving comfort and happiness to others.
Illuminate our lives with happy thoughts, cheerful words and blessed
hopes, that we may go forth with no purpose but to do Thy will, and
seeking no reward more glorious, than Thine approval whispered into
loving and attentive hearts, in Thy name. Amen.
LEWIS G. WILSON.
June 27
_A Persian fable says: "One day
A wanderer found a lump of clay,
So redolent of sweet perfume
Its odors scented all the room.
"What art thou?" was his quick demand;
"Art thou some gem from Samarcand,
Or spikenard in this rude disguise,
Or other costly merchandise?"
"Nay, I am but a lump of clay."
"Then whence this wondrous perfume--say?"
"Friend, if the secret I disclose,
I have been dwelling with the rose,"
Sweet parable! and will not those
Who love to dwell with Sharon's Rose,
Distil sweet odors all around,
Though low and mean themselves are found?
Dear Lord, abide with us, that we
May draw our perfume fresh from thee._
ANONYMOUS.
Our Father, which art in heaven,--we thank Thee for the memory of those
who lived in Thy spirit and labored in Thy love. The fragrance of their
lives abides with us. We thank Thee for the prophets of great
hopes,--for those who have seen the invisible, and have searched
patiently for the city of their God. We bless those who by their pure
hearts and unselfish lives have revealed unto us our greater selves.
Help us to learn of them the way of life. Help us to live in such
thoughts and deeds as made them truly great. Keep our hearts so pure
to-day, our vision of the Master life so clear, that our path, before
and after us, shall be as the light of day. Amen.
FREDERICK W. BETTS.
June 28
_Tell you what I like the best;
'Long about knee-deep in June,
'Bout the time the strawberries melts
On the vine,--some afternoon
Like to jes' git out and rest,
And not work at nothing else._
_Orchard's where I'd ruther be--
Needn't fence it in for me!
Jes' the whole sky overhead,
And the whole airth underneath._
JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY.
Help us, O Thou who art the Lord of life, that we may this morning
praise Thee for the beauty of the world and for the joyful privilege of
wandering in the green fields and by the sparkling brooks, and of
resting tired body and weary limb beneath the sweet orchard shade,
gazing with gladdened eyes at the blue canopy above, all forgetful of
the toil and din of the far off city. O may our hearts this day be in
tune with nature and in harmony with Thyself; and as we contemplate Thy
works this and every day may our hearts go out in loving and practical
sympathy toward those whose lives are spent within the narrow confines
of sunless courts. Hear us for the Saviour's sake. Amen.
FRANCIS W. BRETT.
June 29
_Give us, O give us the man who sings at his work. Be his
occupation what it may, he is equal to any of those who follow the
same pursuit in silent sullenness. He will do more in the same
time--he will do it better--he will persevere longer. One is
scarcely sensible of fatigue while he marches to music. The very
stars are said to make harmony as they revolve in their spheres.
Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness, although past calculation
its power of endurance. Efforts to be permanently useful, must be
uniformly joyous--a spirit all sunshine, graceful from very
gladness, beautiful because bright._
THOMAS CARLYLE.
Almighty God, we turn to Thee in adoration and praise as we pause upon
the threshold of this new day. Grant, we pray Thee, that a song be in
our hearts as we go about the duties of the passing hours. Whatever our
experiences, whether of joy or sorrow, may we truly value the truthful
spirit. If Thou callest us to bear burdens or to stand upon the mountain
top of exultant achievement may we not forget to sing of Thee. Yea, O
God, we would be ever of the company of trusting souls, for such are
near to Thee. And when earthly days are past and the life of the freed
spirit is over, grant that our lives may blend in full accord with the
music of love, in sunshine of joy, in the beauty of holiness. We praise
Thee now and ever. Amen.
STEPHEN H. ROBLIN.
June 30
_Full-leafed in pride of deepest green,
The earth in the sunshine basks serene,
Where linden blossoms crowded cling,
A thousand bees are murmuring.
As showers drift from the freshened land
With a seven-barred bow is the rain-cloud spanned.
The wild rose yields her subtlest scents
Where hay cocks pitch their fragrant tents.
The longest day's too brief for June,
The night too short for such a moon!_
SARA ANDREW SHAFER.
We thank Thee, our Father, for the wonderful world in which we live; for
the glory of the heavens; for the beauty of the earth; for the bright
morning following the star-crowned night; for the song of birds, the hum
of bees, the fragrance of flowers, and the laughter of children, for the
industry of men and women, for all Thy gifts of love. As again the
lengthening shadows creep across our pathway, may we redouble our
energies that no labor of love may be left undone. So fill us with Thy
presence, so lead us by Thy Spirit this day, that in our homes we may be
patient, in our occupations sweet, in our social relations brotherly, in
all things Christlike, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
ARTHUR WRIGHT.
July 1
_Let me go where'er I will
I hear a sky-born music still:
It sounds from all things old,
It sounds from all things young,
From all that's fair, from all that's foul,
Peals out a cheerful song._
_It is not only in the rose,
It is not only in the bird,
Not only where the rainbow glows,
Nor in the song of woman heard,
But in the darkest, meanest things
There alway, alway something sings._
_'Tis not in the high stars alone,
Nor in the cups of budding flowers,
Nor in the redbreast's mellow tone,
Nor in the bow that smiles in showers,
But in the mud and scum of things
There alway, alway something sings._
RALPH WALDO EMERSON.
Dear Father in heaven, we thank Thee for all the sweet voices of the
world, not only for the harmonies of the great masters of song but for
the sweet voice of the mother as she sings her song of love, for the
bird in the spring time. We thank Thee for the music in the prattle of
children, and the kindly word spoken everywhere. The world is full of
music if only we have music in our own hearts. We pray, as we set forth
again this morning, for spirits in tune with all that is sweet and good.
Wherever we go this day, let the world sing to us and make us glad.
Amen.
GEORGE L. PERIN.
July 2
_A little bird with plumage brown,
Beside my window flutters down,
A moment chirps its little strain,
Then taps upon my window-pane.
And chirps again, and hops along,
To call my notice to its song;
But I work on, nor heed its lay,
Till, in neglect, it flies away._
_So birds of peace and hope and love
Come fluttering earthward from above,
To settle on life's window-sills,
And ease our load of earthly ills;
But we, in traffic's rush and din
Too deep engaged to let them in,
With deadened heart and sense plod on,
Nor know our loss till they are gone._
PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR.
My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I
direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up; and looking up, may we not
fail to realize that, amid the turmoil of this outward life, Thou art
ever present to give peace and rest in the inner life. Should we fail to
recognize that presence we shall lose the comfort which Thou art ever
ready to bestow, and must ourselves bear burdens which Thou wouldst
gladly bear for us or take from us. Thou knowest our frame and
rememberest that we are dust. Open our spiritual vision to behold that
Divine resources are subject to our daily prayer. In the name of Jesus,
the Christ. Amen.
O. W. SCOTT.
July 3
_Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
Heaven.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and
shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake._
MATTHEW v. 3, 8, 11.
O God, our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee that Thou dost overrule our
weakness, failure and sins to the accomplishment of Thy divine plan for
us. We recall with pleasure our successes in the past year, and if we
have failed, wilt Thou show us where and when and teach us the way of
amendment. We thank Thee for our Hope and Faith which have come to us
from the Bible. Here, on every page and in every biography, have we
learned of Christ Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. We thank Thee
that through Him our sins are forgiven, and we have learned to know
Thee, O blessed Father, which knowledge is eternal life. May we walk
with Him, moment by moment in a life of loving service to all mankind,
during all the remaining days of our life. Amen.
E. M. WARNER.
July 4
_One flag, one land, one heart, one hand,
One nation, evermore!_
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
_And for your country, boy, and for that flag, never dream a dream
but of serving her, though the service carry you through a thousand
hells! No matter what happens to you--no matter who flatters or
abuses you--never look at another flag, never let a night pass but
you pray God to bless that flag._
EDWARD EVERETT HALE.
Thine, O God, is the kingdom. And blessed is the nation whose God is the
Lord. We believe that Thy hand has been in the founding and the fortunes
of this land. We do homage to it for its ideals, its principles, its
glorious company of apostles of truth, its noble army of martyrs for
liberty and humanity; we love and cherish it as our home and our shrine;
but we hallow it, we stand in awe of it, as the scene of Thy special
activity, the instrument of Thy holy purposes. May its vision not pass;
may the clouds that hang over it be dispersed by the clear shining of
the sun of righteousness and peace; may the dream of freedom with
fraternity be realized here, even here, upon these shores, that Thy
saving health may be known among all nations. Amen.
C. ELLWOOD NASH.
July 5
_Far up the crag, 'twixt sea and sky,
Where winds tempestuous, blowing by,
Leave giant boulders swept and bare;
Where forked lightnings fitful flare,
And petrels sound their stormy cry._
_A dainty bluebell, sweet and shy,
Lifted its head complacently,
As guarded by the tenderest care,
Far up the crag._
_And now, whenever fear draws nigh,
In thought I stand 'twixt sea and sky,
And, as of old in my despair,
I bless the Power that set it there--
That tiny thing with courage high,
Far up the crag!_
FLORENCE E. COATES.
Eternal Presence, may we now speak to Thee? or, consciously within Thy
presence, should our lips be still? Art Thou the Infinite Mercy, and
shall we say, be merciful? Shall we persuade the love that can not once
withhold itself? We would not ask, were prayer to change established
law. But, we will open here our hearts, and so receive the blessedness
that seeks us and has sought us,--sought us as the sunlight sought us
early,--seeks us as the raindrops seek us in the storm. Not more canst
Thou withhold the goodness from us. We wait receptively, unbarring all
our rust-hinged doors to welcome the true favors that now find us. In
sweet trust, asking or unasking, we abide ever in Thee. Amen.
PERRY MARSHALL.
July 6
_God is a kind Father. He sets us all in the places where he wishes
us to be employed, and that employment is truly "our Father's
business." He chooses work for every creature which will be
delightful to them, if they do it simply and humbly. He gives us
always strength enough and sense enough for what He wants us to do;
if we either tire ourselves or puzzle ourselves, it is our own
fault. And we may always be sure, whatever we are doing, that we
cannot be pleasing Him if we are not happy ourselves._
JOHN RUSKIN.
Father Divine, Thou art indeed kind. Thine are the ways of kindness, of
wisdom, and of love,--the ways of pleasantness and the paths of peace.
In simple and humble spirit as becometh Thy children, may we walk with
Thee accomplishing the work to which Thou dost call us. Our work is Thy
work, our business the Father's business; the business of justice, mercy
and truth. When loyal and true, we are what we are, and do what we do by
Thy grace. So help us to honor Thee in all the duties of life,--"Not
slothful in business,--fervent in spirit,"--pleasing Thee and therefore
happy ourselves. Amen.
ISAAC P. CODDINGTON.
July 7
_Threefold is the form of Space:
Length, with ever restless motion,
Seeks eternity's wide ocean;
Breadth with boundless sway extends;
Depth to unknown realms descends._
_All as types to thee are given;
Thou must onward strive for heaven,
Never still or weary be,
Wouldst thou perfect glory see;
Far must thy researches go
Wouldst thou learn the world to know;
Thou must tempt the dark abyss
Wouldst thou prove what Being is._
_Naught but firmness gains the prize,--
Naught but fulness makes us wise,--
Buried deep, truth ever lies!_
PROVERBS OF CONFUCIUS.
Our Heavenly Father, help us this day to make good our privilege to feel
and think of Thee as we do. Help us this day to make ourselves part of
our brotherhood, and our brotherhood part of Thee. We know not what the
day hath in store for us, but we pray Thee to help us have in store for
it our better heart, our better hands. Send Thy holy spirit into our
life to calm and to strengthen; that we may be steadfast and true; that
we may give and be forgiven. Bless all Thy children this day, and may
our labor end as it began, in Thee, with Thee, for Thee. Amen.
LOUIS H. BUCKSHORN.
July 8
_O Impatient Ones! Do the leaves say nothing to you as they murmur
to-day? They are not fashioned this spring, but months ago; and the
summer just begun will fashion others for another year. At the
bottom of every leaf-stem is a cradle, and in it is an infant germ;
and the winds will rock it, and the birds will sing to it all
summer long, and next season it will unfold. So God is working for
you and carrying forward to the perfect development all the
processes of our lives._
HENRY WARD BEECHER.
O Eternal Father, giver of all spiritual grace, we thank Thee for Thy
presence in our hearts. May we realize that Thou hast the best possible
plan for every human life. Help us to be patient and joyful in the
consciousness that Thou art carrying forward Thy blessed work in us. Thy
love, O Lord, is equal to Thy wisdom, and Thou wilt always do what is
best for us. May Thy holy will be our delight, so that we may each trust
in Thee at all times and cheerfully say, Thy will, O Lord, not mine, be
done. Thou who dost care for the birds and the lilies art ever mindful
of us, Thy children. Deliver us from worry and may Thy peace guard our
hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
GEORGE H. CHENEY.
July 9
_Let us hope that one day all mankind will be happy and wise; and
though this day never should dawn to have hoped for it cannot be
wrong. And in any event, it is helpful to speak of happiness to
those who are sad, that thus at least they may learn what it is
that happiness means. They are ever inclined to regard it as
something beyond them, extraordinary, out of their reach. But if
all who may count themselves happy were to tell, very simply, what
it was that brought happiness to them, the others would see that
between sorrow and joy the difference is but as between a gladsome,
enlightened acceptance of life and a hostile gloomy submission;
between a large and harmonious conception of life, and one that is
stubborn and narrow._
MAETERLINCK.
O Lord, we thank Thee for the special providence which is over
everything which Thou hast created, and wherein Thou residest with all
Thine infinite perfections. We thank Thee that Thou carest for us all,
that in our day of joy we know it is Thou who fillest our cup, by giving
us the faculties which make it run over at the brim. We thank Thee that
Thou art with us in our days of hardship and of calamity, that when our
own heart cries out against us, Thou art greater than our heart, and,
understanding all things, blessest us in secret ways; and when we are
cast down and go stooping and feeble, with hungering eyes and a failing
heart, that Thou still art with us, and leadest us from strength to
strength and blessest us continually. Amen.
THEODORE PARKER.
July 10
_Were any of us really disappointed or melancholy in a hayfield?
Did we ever lie fairly back on a haycock and look up into the blue
sky, and listen to the merry sounds, the whetting of scythes and
the laughing prattle of women and children, and think evil thoughts
of the world or our brethren? Not we! Or, if we have so done we
ought to be ashamed of ourselves, and deserve never again to be out
of town during hay-harvest._
THOMAS HUGHES.
Dear Heavenly Father, we devoutly thank Thee for the beautiful open face
of Nature shining upon us; for the splendor of the fields where the
birds wing their merry flight; for the breath of the flowers and the
grass beneath the scythe, like the odor of incense; and most of all, for
the merry shouts of women and children and men in the meadow, in the
heyday of happiness, as they fill their souls with the freedom of the
children of God, and live in the open where no evil breath can come.
Grant that we may live spiritually forever in the fragrant hayfields of
life, where the birds sing and the children shout, and where no covering
or roof can ever shut out the sunshine of life's eternal bliss. Amen.
ROBERT S. KELLERMAN.
July 11