honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report,--think on these
things_.--PHIL. iv. 8.
_As he thinketh in his heart, so is he_.--PROV. xxiii. 7.
Still may Thy sweet mercy spread
A shady arm above my head,
About my paths; so shall I find
The fair centre of my mind
Thy temple, and those lovely walls
Bright ever with a beam that falls
Fresh from the pure glance of Thine eye,
Lighting to eternity.
R. CRASHAW.
Make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts. None of us yet know, for none
of us have been taught in early youth, what fairy palaces we may build of
beautiful thought--proof against all adversity. Bright fancies, satisfied
memories, noble histories, faithful sayings, treasure--houses of precious
and restful thoughts, which care cannot disturb, nor pain make gloomy, nor
poverty take away from us,--houses built without hands, for our souls to
live in.
J. RUSKIN.
December 30
_O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man
that walketh to direct his steps_.--JER. x. 23.
_I will direct all his ways_.--ISA. xlv. 13.
Come, Light serene and still!
Our darkened spirits fill
With thy clear day:
Guide of the feeble sight,
Star of grief's darkest night,
Reveal the path of right,
Show us Thy way.
ROBERT II. OF FRANCE.
There had been solemn appointed seasons in Anna's life, when she was
accustomed to enter upon a full and deliberate survey of her business
in this world. The claims of each relationship, and the results of each
occupation, were then examined in the light of eternity. It was then,
too, her fervent prayer to be enabled to discern the will of God far more
perfectly, not only in the indications given of it for her guidance through
each day's occupations, but as it might concern duties not yet brought home
to her conscience, and therefore unprovided for in her life.
SARAH W. STEPHEN.
December 31
_Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus_.--PHIL. iii. 13, 14.
Yet I argue not
Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward.
J. MILTON.
It is not by regretting what is irreparable that true work is to be done,
but by making the best of what we are. It is not by complaining that we
have not the right tools, but by using well the tools we have. What we are,
and where we are, is God's providential arrangement,--God's doing, though
it may be man's misdoing; and the manly and the wise way is to look your
disadvantages in the face, and see what can be made out of them. Life, like
war, is a series of mistakes, and he is not the best Christian nor the best
general who makes the fewest false steps. He is the best who wins the most
splendid victories by the retrieval of mistakes. Forget mistakes; organize
victory out of mistakes.
F. W. ROBERTSON.
End of Project Gutenberg's Daily Strength for Daily Needs, by Mary W. Tileston