,note3 ,images of the original pages are available through ,internet ,archive4 ,see http3_/_/books4google4com_/books8id,vsg, v,a,a,a,a,y,a,a,joe,,utf-#h ,,the ,,optimist',s ,,good ,,morning ,compiled by ,,florence ,,hobart ,,perin ,boston ,little1 ,brown1 and ,company #aiaa ,copyright1 #aijg1 ,by ,little1 ,brown1 and ,company4 ,all rights reserved ,printers ,s4 ,j4 ,parkhill ,co41 ,boston1 ,u4 ,s4 ,a4 ,,to ,my ,mother and father ,acknowledgments ,the compiler desires to make her grateful acknowledgments to the publishers and authors who have so generously given their permission to use selections from their copyrighted publications4 ,she is especially indebted to ,dodd1 ,mead ,co41 ,houghton1 ,mifflin ,co41 ,the ,century ,co41 ,the ,outlook ,co41 ,small1 ,maynard ,co41 ,mc,clure1 ,phillips ,co41 for extracts from ,the ,simple ,life by ,charles ,wagner and from ,the ,angelus by ,edwin ,markham2 ,g4 ,p4 ,putnam's ,sons for selections from ,christus ,victor by ,henry ,nehemiah ,dodge2 to ,doubleday1 ,page ,co4 for extracts from ,the ,story of ,my ,life by ,helen ,keller1 copyright #aijb1 #aijc2 also for selections from ,afterwhiles1 copyright #ahhg1 ,riley ,farm ,rhymes1 copyright #ahhe1 ,riley ,songs o' ,cheer1 copyright #ahhc1 ,pipes o' ,pan1 copyright #ahhh1 used by special permission of the publishers1 ,the ,bobbs-,merrill ,co41 to ,charles ,scribner's ,sons for selections from ,fisherman's ,luck1 ,the ,lost ,word1 ,little ,rivers1 ,the ,story of the ,psalms1 ,the ,toiling of ,felix and ,other ,poems1 by ,henry ,van ,dyke1 and a selection from ,el ,dorado by ,robert ,louis ,stevenson4 ,preface ,once family devotions were general1 now they are rare4 ,there are reasons for the change4 ,one reason is that the simplicity of the old family life is gone4 ,it is not easy to get all the members of the family together at any one time in the day4 ,a part of this is due to less leisure now than formerly4 ,men must catch trains in the morning4 ,in the evening they are distracted by manifold social engagements4 ,yet the need of spiritual adjustment is ever the same4 ,rapid transit1 the telephone1 the telegraph1 do not take the place of ,god4 ,indeed the more rapid pace involved in these modern pace-makers1 renders the more necessary some pause in the day for prayer1 some upward look1 when for a moment the soul may find an open way between itself and ,god4 ,but how and when8 ,why not the breakfast table8 ,surely one or two minutes may be spared4 ,thirty seconds of silence1 then the reading of a noble sentiment from some one who has been thinking for us1--another pause1--and a few words of prayer1 framed by some one with more leisure than we have1 but who puts us in the mood of prayer and so starts us right upon the duties of the day1--this will bring the needed readjustment4 ,such is the plan and purpose of this little book4 ,it is made for busy men and women1 who need to begin the day with ,god4 ,the quotations for each day are brief1 but they are gleaned from the great ,masters of thought4 ,the prayers are from devout men of all the denominations4 ,as the title will have suggested1 both quotations and prayers are generally in the spirit of a truly optimistic faith4 ,however life may look in the middle of the night1 it is a good thing to start out to do the work of the day with hope and courage4 ,i shall be glad if ,i can feel that this little book has helped some busy people to begin the day in this spirit4 ,i shall be particularly glad if ,i can feel that it has helped a little to keep the candles lighted on the family altar4 ,,florence ,,hobart ,,perin4 ,list of ,authors of ,selections ,abbott1 ,lyman1 #bcd1 #bif4 ,albee1 ,john1 #cdh4 ,alden1 ,marion1 #bfc4 ,ambrosius1 ,johanna1 #bed4 ,ames1 ,charles ,g41 #ea1 #fh4 ,amiel1 ,henri-,frederic1 #cje1 #cdj1 #cej4 ,anonymous1 #af1 #cc1 #eb1 #ia1 #ic1 #abi1 #aha1 #aih1 #bac1 #bfh1 #ced4 ,arnold1 ,edwin1 #ci4 ,arnold1 ,george1 #bdi4 ,aughey1 #cae4 ,aurelius1 ,marcus1 #baf4 ,babcock1 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,cleaves1 ,charles ,p41 #bad4 ,coates1 ,florence ,e41 #ahi4 ,coleridge1 ,hartley1 #bde4 ,coleridge1 ,samuel ,taylor1 #bag4 ,collyer1 ,robert1 #gg1 #bhg4 ,confucius1 #aia4 ,coolidge1 ,susan1 #aej1 #aeg1 #bjg1 #cci4 ,cowper1 ,william1 #cce4 ,cox1 ,francis ,augustus1 #bgf4 ,craig1 ,dinah ,mulock1 #adc4 ,crashaw1 ,richard1 #aea4 ,danforth1 ,abbie ,e41 #ceg4 ,davis1 ,ozora ,stearns1 #hb4 ,de,vere1 ,aubrey1 #ga4 ,dix1 ,william ,f41 #bfa4 ,dodge1 ,henry ,nehemiah1 #di1 #cjj1 #cga1 #cgb4 ,donaldson1 ,alfred ,l41 #bdd4 ,dowd1 ,emma ,c41 #afi4 ,drummond1 ,henry1 #ia1 #bjc1 #cbc4 ,dunbar1 ,paul ,laurence1 #hh1 #ahf1 #bef4 ,earle1 ,mabel1 #bgh4 ,eliot1 ,george1 #dh1 #bda4 ,emerson1 ,ralph ,waldo1 #ai1 #db1 #eg1 #hg1 #ajh1 #abd1 #abg1 #aea1 #aeh1 #ahe1 #baj1 #bbh1 #bga1 #bha1 #cdd4 ,epictetus1 #ef1 #bhd4 ,faunce1 ,w4 ,h4 ,p41 #aec4 ,fiske1 ,john1 #aa4 ,ford1 ,mary ,hanaford1 #h4 ,foss1 ,sam ,walter1 #ii1 #cda4 ,fox1 ,george1 #ajd4 ,franklin1 ,benjamin1 #aeh4 ,gannett1 ,william ,c41 #aaf1 #acb1 #bci1 #cjb4 ,garland1 ,hamlin ,a41 #aif4 ,gilder1 ,richard ,watson1 #afh1 #cfg4 ,gilman1 ,charlotte ,perkins1 #d1 #adf4 ,goethe1 #cfj4 ,gordon1 ,anna ,a41 #bdg4 ,gotthold1 #bc4 ,gray1 ,john1 #cgh4 ,green1 ,j4 ,r41 #aii4 ,grover1 ,edwin ,osgood1 #aee4 ,hale1 ,edward ,everett1 #fe1 #ahh1 #bai1 #bhj1 #bha4 ,harraden1 ,beatrice1 #hj4 ,hart1 ,estelle ,m41 #ccg4 ,havergal1 ,frances ,ridley1 #bhb4 ,hawkes1 ,clarence1 #ig4 ,hay1 ,john1 #fg4 ,hoar1 ,george ,f41 #hc4 ,holmes1 ,oliver ,wendell1 #bi1 #ee1 #agb1 #ahh1 #bec1 #bhf1 #big1 #caa1 #ceb4 ,homer1 #cda4 ,hopkins1 ,ellice1 #bfe4 ,hovey1 ,richard1 #bib4 ,hughes1 ,thomas1 #aid4 ,humboldt1 ,alexander von1 #cjf4 ,hunt1 ,leigh1 #adc4 ,huntington1 ,bishop1 #gj4 ,huxley1 ,thomas ,henry1 #bjb4 ,hyde1 ,william ,de,witt1 #aah4 ,ibsen1 ,henrik1 #cab4 ,ingelow1 ,jean1 #bba1 #cbg4 ,jackson1 ,j4 ,s41 #g4 ,james1 ,henry1 ,sr41 #afe4 ,johnson1 ,samuel1 #ff4 ,jones1 ,t4 ,edgar1 #bbd4 ,karr1 ,alphonse1 #bfd4 ,keats1 ,john1 #bie4 ,keller1 ,helen1 #ic1 #abh1 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#ah4 ,payne1 ,j4 ,howard1 #cfa4 ,peabody1 ,francis ,g41 #ccb1 #ccd4 ,perin1 ,george ,l41 #c1 #ab1 #aec1 #afc1 #agf1 #bae1 #bij1 #cbb1 #cfh1 #cgi4 ,perry1 ,carlotta1 #bca4 ,perry1 ,nora1 #aja4 ,plutarch1 #bih4 ,procter1 ,adelaide ,a41 #aj4 ,procter1 ,bryan ,waller1 #aff4 ,pullman1 ,james ,m41 #ba1 #ef1 #bbe4 ,rankin1 ,isaac ,ogden1 #be4 ,ravenscroft1 ,james1 #bee4 ,realf1 ,richard1 #bbc4 ,reimer1 ,edward ,f41 #bbg4 ,rexford1 ,eben ,e41 #id4 ,richter1 #bhe4 ,riley1 ,james ,whitcomb1 #ahb1 #bcj1 #bff1 #bhc1 #caj4 ,robertson1 ,frederick ,w41 #bej4 ,rollins1 ,alice ,wellington1 #bf4 ,roosevelt1 ,theodore1 #fe1 #gd1 #aig4 ,rosetti1 ,christina1 #aga4 ,ruskin1 ,john1 #bc1 #eh1 #hc1 #aci1 #aij1 #bjf4 ,russell1 ,bessie ,l41 #bei4 ,sangster1 ,margaret1 #aag1 #bje4 ,savage1 ,minot ,j41 #dg4 ,schiller1 #cfc4 ,scollard1 ,clinton1 #hd4 ,scott1 ,walter1 #bce4 ,shafer1 ,sara ,andrew1 #ahd1 #bfj4 ,shakespeare1 #ch1 #ajg1 #aac1 #beh1 #cde1 #cea4 ,shelley1 #ajj1 #aaa4 ,shipman1 ,george ,w41 #bgg4 ,sill1 ,edward ,rowland1 #ih1 #bgd4 ,smiles1 ,samuel1 #bcf1 #cbj4 ,smyth1 ,julian ,k41 #gc4 ,spofford1 ,harriet ,p41 #aja4 ,spurgeon1 #aig4 ,stanton1 ,frank ,l41 #afj1 #cdc4 ,st4 ,bernard1 #bfi4 ,stebbins1 ,horatio1 #bhj4 ,stedman1 ,edmund ,clarence1 #ie4 ,stevenson1 ,robert ,louis1 #ahj1 #cec4 ,stoddard1 ,richard ,h41 #de4 ,story1 ,william ,wetmore1 #f1 #cba4 ,stowe1 ,harriet ,beecher1 #bcj4 ,swinburne1 ,algernon ,charles1 #ec1 #afg4 ,swing1 ,david1 #df4 ,symonds1 ,john ,addington1 #age1 #cdf4 ,taylor1 ,bayard1 #bdj1 #cba4 ,taylor1 ,jeremy ,e41 #ei4 ,tennyson1 ,alfred1 #bcb1 #cbf4 ,thaxter1 ,celia1 #ie4 ,tholuck1 #ceg4 ,thompson1 ,maurice1 #aaj4 ,thoreau1 ,henry ,david1 #ej1 #cce4 ,townsend1 ,mary ,ashley1 #ha4 ,trowbridge1 ,robertson1 #bgc4 ,urmy1 ,clarence1 #bfh4 ,van ,dyke1 ,henry1 #adb1 #aed1 #bid1 #cac1 #cbd1 #cbh1 #cee1 #cfe1 #cgg4 ,vinci1 ,leonardo da1 #gd4 ,wagner1 ,charles1 #bj1 #fc1 #aad1 #bjd1 #cef4 ,waterman1 ,nixon1 #agc4 ,whitman1 ,walt1 #bb1 #dj1 #ajb1 #bgj1 #cdi1 #ceh4 ,whitney1 ,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t41 #ca1 #hf1 #abb1 #abg1 #adg1 #afg1 #bih1 #cja1 #cjc1 #cdh4 ,whittier1 ,john ,greenleaf1 #ae1 #da1 #ajc1 #adj1 #bhi1 #cei1 #cgf4 ,wilcox1 ,ella ,wheeler1 #e1 #ac1 #hg1 #aba1 #bbb1 #bca1 #cbe4 ,willard1 ,frances ,e41 #aje4 ,wordsworth1 ,william1 #gf1 #aca1 #bea1 #cai4 ,wright1 ,mary ,frances1 #bcc4 ,list of ,authors of ,prayers ,adams1 ,j4 ,coleman1 #aai4 ,albion1 ,james ,f41 #ia4 ,alcott1 ,a4 ,n41 #bii4 ,allen1 ,james ,f41 #bfe4 ,amee1 ,e4 ,mc,p41 #bfd4 ,ames1 ,charles ,gordon1 #f4 ,anderson1 ,thomas ,d41 #acb4 ,annas1 ,j4 ,w41 #bec4 ,atwood1 ,isaac ,m41 #cd4 ,atwood1 ,john ,murray1 #cf4 ,ayers1 ,samuel ,gilbert1 #aba4 ,babcock1 ,william ,g41 #aj4 ,backus1 ,wilson ,m41 #aci4 ,badger1 ,george ,h41 #bga4 ,barker1 ,j4 ,h41 #ajg4 ,barney1 ,edward ,m41 #gd4 ,bartlett1 ,a4 ,eugene1 #aa4 ,batchelor1 ,george1 #ajh4 ,bates1 ,lewis ,p41 #bbf4 ,beane1 ,samuel ,c41 #bcf4 ,benton1 ,herbert ,e41 #bgb4 ,berle1 ,adolph ,a41 #cai4 ,betts1 ,frederick ,w41 #gj1 #aha1 #cag4 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,coleman1 ,albert ,j41 #cec4 ,collier1 ,frank ,w41 #agd4 ,conklin1 ,abram1 #ai4 ,conklin1 ,charles1 #cfa4 ,conner1 ,ralph ,e41 #baa4 ,coons1 ,leroy ,w41 #fh4 ,cooper1 ,joseph1 #hd4 ,cooper1 ,j4 ,francis1 #caj4 ,corby1 ,james ,d41 #bhj4 ,couden1 ,henry ,n41 #bf4 ,crandall1 ,lathan ,a41 #bjb4 ,crane1 ,cephas ,b41 #fj4 ,crane1 ,frank1 #ccg4 ,crooker1 ,florence ,kollock1 #ih4 ,crooker1 ,joseph ,h41 #bc4 ,crooker1 ,orin ,edson1 #afc4 ,cuckson1 ,john1 #abc4 ,curnick1 ,e4 ,t41 #ic4 ,cushman1 ,henry ,irving1 #id4 ,danforth1 ,abbie ,e41 #aje4 ,davis1 ,charles ,edward1 #bfj4 ,davidson1 ,john ,m41 #bhi4 ,day1 ,edward1 #fb4 ,day1 ,john1 #gh4 ,dean1 ,george ,b41 #bfg4 ,de,normandie1 ,james1 #abe4 ,dick1 ,samuel ,m41 #ccc4 ,dight1 ,alexander1 #bij4 ,dillingham1 ,fred ,a41 #da4 ,dodge1 ,j4 ,smith1 #cdj4 ,dodson1 ,george ,r41 #aig4 ,dole1 ,charles ,f41 #aeg4 ,dole1 ,walter1 #cci4 ,downey1 ,edward ,c41 #cfe4 ,earle1 ,a4 ,gertrude1 #ajd4 ,east1 ,charles ,r41 #cbd4 ,eddy1 ,william ,b41 #di4 ,eichler1 ,m4 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,edwin1 #cej4 ,lee1 ,john ,clarence1 #age4 ,leonard1 ,charles ,h41 #agj4 ,levy1 ,maurice ,a41 #aee4 ,locke1 ,calvin ,s41 #bgg4 ,longbrake1 ,george ,runyon1 #cbg4 ,lord1 ,augustus ,mendon1 #dj4 ,lund1 ,charles ,e41 #agh4 ,lutterman1 ,e4 ,w41 #cjh4 ,mac,lennan1 ,a4 ,k41 #bge4 ,main1 ,william ,h41 #ad4 ,martin1 ,t4 ,c41 #afj4 ,martineau1 ,james1 #ef1 #bag1 #cba1 #ccd4 ,marshall1 ,perry1 #ahi4 ,marvin1 ,reginold ,k41 #aad4 ,masseck1 ,frank ,lincoln1 #aab4 ,mc,collester1 ,lee ,s41 #bba4 ,mc,collester1 ,s4 ,h41 #ah4 ,mc,glaughlin1 ,william ,h41 #ccb4 ,mc,kenzie1 ,alexander1 #ab4 ,mc,kinney1 ,luther ,f41 #baj4 ,mead1 ,i4 ,j41 #adc4 ,meyer1 ,john ,f41 #cdi4 ,milburn1 ,u4 ,s41 #aac4 ,mitchell1 ,stanford1 #agi4 ,moore1 ,henrietta ,g41 #aaj4 ,morgan1 ,william ,s41 #be4 ,morrison1 ,william ,h41 #aag4 ,mudge1 ,james1 #bbc4 ,myers1 ,cortland1 #cdd4 ,nash1 ,c4 ,ellwood1 #ahh1 #cfb1 #cga1 #cgb1 #cgg4 ,nash1 ,charles ,p41 #adh4 ,nash1 ,henry ,s41 #ba4 ,northrop1 ,cyrus1 #bif4 ,norton1 ,stephen ,a41 #cei4 ,opdale1 ,nellie ,mann1 #bdc4 ,osgood1 ,edmund ,q4 ,s41 #aja4 ,owen1 ,george ,w41 #bh4 ,parker1 ,joseph1 #ei1 #bad1 #bai4 ,parker1 ,theodore1 #ec1 #ig1 #aji1 #ace1 #aic1 #bcj1 #bci1 #bdi4 ,parkhurst1 ,charles1 #fc4 ,patterson1 ,a4 ,j41 #cfd4 ,pattison1 ,harold1 #bbe4 ,payne1 ,thomas ,b41 #acc4 ,payson1 ,james ,m41 #bbb4 ,peloubet1 ,f4 ,n41 #cca4 ,pember1 ,elmer ,f41 #acd4 ,penniman1 ,george ,wallace1 #abi4 ,perin1 ,florence ,h41 #cge4 ,perin1 ,george ,l41 #c1 #bb1 #ce1 #df1 #hj1 #ij1 #if1 #ajb1 #aaf1 #abd1 #aec1 #aec1 #agb1 #ahe1 #aif1 #bae1 #bcd1 #bej1 #bgj1 #bhf1 #big1 #cjf1 #ccj1 #cdb1 #ceb1 #cff1 #cfh1 #cgf1 #cgh4 ,perkins1 ,frederick ,w41 #bbi4 ,perkins1 ,o4 ,howard1 #ff4 ,perkins1 ,warren ,s41 #afd4 ,perrin1 ,willard ,t41 #bgf4 ,perry1 ,edward ,a41 #fa4 ,petty1 ,charles ,e41 #he4 ,polk1 ,robert ,t41 #bbd4 ,potter1 ,wilburn ,d41 #hc4 ,potter1 ,william ,f41 #aej4 ,potterton1 ,thomas ,edward1 #afe4 ,powers1 ,le,grand1 #gc4 ,preble1 ,edgar ,w41 #gb4 ,priest1 ,frederick ,c41 #bjh4 ,puffer1 ,charles ,h41 #ceg4 ,putnam1 ,alfred ,p41 #afb4 ,randall1 ,j4 ,o41 #aih4 ,reardon1 ,john ,b41 #adj4 ,rexford1 ,e4 ,l41 #af1 #abh1 #bcc4 ,rice1 ,charles ,f41 #bef4 ,rice1 ,clarence ,e41 #agc4 ,rice1 ,frank ,s41 #hg4 ,richardson1 ,w4 ,g41 #cad4 ,roblin1 ,stephen ,h41 #ahc4 ,rose1 ,henry ,r41 #cjc4 ,rowley1 ,francis ,h41 #ac4 ,rugg1 ,henry ,w41 #abf4 ,safford1 ,oscar ,f41 #fe4 ,sage1 ,nathaniel ,s41 #cb4 ,sallaway1 ,james1 #bic4 ,sargent1 ,frank ,d41 #cdg4 ,scott1 ,alva ,roy1 #dd1 #ada4 ,scott1 ,o4 ,w41 #ahf4 ,scrivener1 ,george ,s41 #bfh4 ,selleck1 ,willard ,c41 #bbg4 ,shaw1 ,annette ,j41 #bca4 ,shaw1 ,avery ,a41 #de4 ,shields1 ,albert ,b41 #cji4 ,shinn1 ,q4 ,h41 #adi4 ,snippen1 ,rush ,r41 #bja4 ,simons1 ,minot ,o41 #ach4 ,skene1 ,george1 #cae4 ,slicer1 ,thomas ,r41 #aff4 ,small1 ,e4 ,e41 #bjc4 ,smiley1 ,edmund ,l41 #bff4 ,smiley1 ,george ,m41 #bie4 ,smith1 ,thomas ,w41 #bhc4 ,stephan1 ,j4 ,w41 #gf4 ,straub1 ,jacob1 #agg4 ,studley1 ,elliott ,f41 #bfa4 ,sweetser1 ,edwin ,c41 #aea4 ,taylor1 ,frederick ,a41 #bed4 ,taylor1 ,henry ,b41 #fi4 ,tenney1 ,charles ,r41 #bid1 #cac1 #cbf1 #cfc1 #cfg1 #cgi4 ,thayer1 ,george ,a41 #aii4 ,thompson1 ,j4 ,frank1 #ea4 ,tillinghast1 ,alan ,r41 #hf4 ,tillinghast1 ,james ,d41 #ceh4 ,tomlinson1 ,charles ,w41 #cc4 ,tomlinson1 ,vincent ,e41 #bje4 ,towne1 ,edward ,c41 #bia4 ,tupper1 ,kerr ,boyce1 #ie4 ,tuttle1 ,walter ,a41 #bac4 ,vail1 ,charles ,h41 #bdf4 ,varney1 ,charles ,e41 #bib4 ,vossema1 ,hendrick1 #bce4 ,wallace1 ,o4 ,c4 ,s41 #ej4 ,ward1 ,merrill ,c41 #bfb4 ,ward1 ,w4 ,i41 #abg4 ,warner1 ,e4 ,m41 #ahg4 ,weatherly1 ,arthur ,l41 #bjj4 ,weil1 ,fred ,alban1 #cch4 ,wendte1 ,charles ,w41 #aef4 ,wentworth1 ,margaret1 #bei4 ,west1 ,julius ,p41 #ade4 ,weston1 ,costello1 #bjg4 ,wheeler1 ,c4 ,h41 #h4 ,wheeler1 ,f4 ,h41 #hi4 ,whippen1 ,frank ,w41 #g4 ,whitaker1 ,george1 #ae4 ,white1 ,albert ,c41 #afg4 ,whitney1 ,elbert ,w41 #cja4 ,williams1 ,leon ,o41 #bih4 ,willson1 ,andrew1 #abb4 ,wilson1 ,john ,m41 #aga4 ,wilson1 ,lewis ,g41 #ahj4 ,wood1 ,w4 ,a41 #acj4 ,wright1 ,arthur1 #ahd4 ,wright1 ,james ,edward1 #agf4 ,wright1 ,m4 ,emory1 #bgc4 ,yantis1 ,arnold ,s41 #eb4 ,young1 ,george ,h41 #bdj1 #bhe4 ,young1 ,joshua1 #aeh1 #bda1 #cje4 ,the ,optimist's ,good ,morning ,january #a ,throughout the year1 why not keep sweet8 ,no frown ever made a heart glad2 no complaint ever made a dark day bright2 no bitter word ever lightened a burden or made a rough road smooth2 no grumbling ever introduced sunshine into a home4 ,what the world needs is the resolute step1 the look of cheer1 the smiling countenance1 and the kindly word4 ,keep sweet6 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,god of the years1 our ,heavenly ,father1 whatever the message of the old year may have been1 whether of darkness or light1 joy or sorrow1--we stand this morning waiting expectantly and confidently for some message with glad tidings4 ,may we therefore enter upon the ,new ,year in the mood of hope and good cheer1--brushing from our faces every sign of care1 let us go forth into the ,new ,year with the spirit of a child who puts his hand into the hand of a ,father to be led into a field where the flowers blossom and the birds sing4 ,not for to-day only do we pray for sweetness and light1 but let us be glad and happy every day4 ,thou art with us today1--,thou wilt be with us through all the journey of the year4 ,may our own daily gladness be born of the conviction that ,thou art always near4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,january #b ,to keep my health6 ,to do my work6 ,to live6 ,to see to it ,i grow and gain and give6 ,never to look behind me for an hour6 ,to wait in weakness and to walk in power ,but always fronting forward to the light1 ,always1 and always facing toward the right4 ,robbed1 starved1 defeated1 fallen1 wide astray-- ,on1 with what strength ,i have6 ,back to the way6 ,,charlotte ,,perkins ,,gilman4 ,with this new day1 ,o ,god1 let some new strength be mine1 to walk in patience1 the way appointed for me4 ,let me be strong to battle with the ills that shall beset me1 to toil with faith and honest heart1 to keep myself untainted and make my life helpful to my fellowmen4 ,help me to be forgetful of myself1 but thoughtful to do no evil to any man4 ,thy hand is strong and mine is weak4 ,i need ,thy guidance1 let ,thy strength be mine1 that though ,i stumble ,i may not fall nor fail4 ,and when the day is done1 may happy memories be mine4 ,amen4 ,,almon ,,gunnison4 ,january #c ,build on resolve1 and not upon regret1 ,the structure of ,thy future4 ,do not grope ,among the shadows of old sins1 but let ,thine own soul's light shine on the path of hope ,and dissipate the darkness4 ,waste no tears ,upon the blotted record of lost years1 ,but turn the leaf1 and smile1 oh1 smile1 to see ,the fair white pages that remain to thee4 ,,ella ,,wheeler ,,wilcox4 ,o ,thou ,all-persuasive ,god1 who dost speak within the souls of men in language which the heart interprets as its own6 enlarge our trust in that better self which beckons us1 that we may be led out of the lingering darkness of regret1 out of the shadow of embittered memory into the brightness of a new resolve where we may see ,thy face4 ,smile upon us in the smiling day2 in the joy of strength renewed1 and opportunity reborn2 in the beauty of the promise each hour whispers to us as it passes by4 ,so fill us with ,thyself that each new day shall mean new life led by the glory of those hopes which do not fade at evening4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,a4 ,,knickerbocker4 ,january #d ,we of our age are part1 and every thrill that wakes ,the tremulous air of ,life its motion in us makes4 ,the imitative mass mere empty echo gives ,as walls and rocks return the sound that they receive4 ,but as the bell1 that high in some cathedral swings1 ,stirred by whatever thrill1 with its own music rings1 ,so finer souls give forth1 to each vibrating tone ,impinging on their life1 a music of their own4 ,w4 ,w4 ,,story4 ,o living and loving ,one1 brighter than the morning and fairer than the day1 from ,thee we come1 to ,thee we turn1 who art more than ,father and ,mother to us all4 ,our times are in ,thy hand4 ,thou1 who hast set the sun and stars in the sky1 hast appointed our place and part in this human world4 ,may ,thy light lead and ,thy love win us into the harmonies of law and grace1 that we may become responsive to every touch of nature1 every whisper of truth1 every appeal of humanity4 ,so prepare us to serve our generation in the spirit of ,him who has taught us to do ,thy will on earth as it is done in heaven4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,g4 ,,ames4 ,january #e ,all such as worked for love1 not wages--some ,who1 painting for a perfect tint did drain ,their hearts1 or some to save their country slain1 ,or many who for truth braved martyrdom1 ,or more who1 in what common days may come1 ,have toiled in hope1 beyond the hope of gain1 ,of doing something well1--all such would fain ,speak thus3 ,these gifts more free than flowers from ,the earth are given4 ,good world1 if to our need ,ye offer bread and shelt'ring roof unsought1 ,as guests our thanks we give1 but not for greed1 ,as if our gifts were bartered for and bought2 ,and if1 perchance1 good world1 ye offer nought1 ,ah1 well1 that were of life the lesser meed4 ,j4 ,s4 ,,jackson4 ,father in ,heaven1 we thank ,thee1 as we enter upon another day1 for strength with which to work4 ,we thank ,thee for our tasks2 for our opportunities to work for ,thee and for those we love1 we thank ,thee4 ,may we know the joy1 when night shall come1 of having accomplished something worthy4 ,help us to see in that satisfaction a part of our pay4 ,make each of us faithful in his place2 and help the humblest worker to understand that consecration and not rank is the all-important thing4 ,above all1 may we not forget that living is giving1 and may our desire either for rest or gain keep us from no helpful act4 ,may we follow ,him who came to minister1 and live as sons and daughters of ,god4 ,amen4 ,,frank ,w4 ,,whippen4 ,january #f ,the sculptor moulds his clay with reverent hand1 ,that clay thro' which his fancy flashes free-- ,quick with an answer to his soul's demand1 ,and pliant to his fingers' minstrelsy6 ,could ever bronze or marble so respond ,in wordless echo of the being's will8 ,naught but the clay1 as to a rapture fond ,could he with fire of genius thus infill6 ,and so the common people are the clay1 ,swift moulded by ,divine ,deific hand1 ,until transfigured1 in the glorious day1 ,the statue of humanity shall stand6 ,it knows no tinsel crown1 this masterpiece4 ,but all the sovereignty of ,god's release6 ,,mary ,,hanaford ,,ford4 ,heavenly ,father1 we are of ,thy plain common people3 we feel ourselves of very little worth4 ,for what can we do of ourselves8 ,but1 if ,thou wilt graciously use us1 shaping us to ,thine ends as the potter his clay1 it may be that we shall serve some worthy purpose4 ,we therefore yield ourselves to ,thee1 and beg ,thee to use us this day4 ,make us pliant to ,thy purposes1 make us a help to someone who needs us today4 ,so take us into partnership with ,thyself1 and so may this day be a day of delight1 and our plain common lives be made rich with the ,glory of service4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,h4 ,,wheeler4 ,january #g ,and ,i1 too1 sing the song of all creation1 ,a brave sky and a glad wind blowing by1 ,a clear trail and an hour for meditation1 ,a long day and the joy to make it fly1 ,a hard task and the muscle to achieve it1 ,a fierce noon and a well-contented gloom1 ,a good strife and no great regret to leave it1 ,a still night--and the far red lights of home4 ,h4 ,h4 ,,bashford4 ,almighty ,god1 we thank ,thee that ,thou art our ,father1 and that ,thou lovest us as though ,thou hadst no other children2 we adore ,thee for the beautiful world in which ,thou hast placed us2 for trees and birds and flowers and sky1 for friends and music and books and all the ten thousand mercies which crown our lives4 ,we thank ,thee too1 for hard tasks and severe disciplines1 for everything that is intended to make us strong and brave and true4 ,thou art the ,lord of the day and of the night also4 ,give us grace to trust ,thee and to believe in ,thy motherly solicitude at all times4 ,may ,thy goodness lead us to repentance and to joyous unselfish living and may we so improve our opportunities for service that we shall make others think of ,him who went about doing good and trusted in ,his ,father with a perfect trust4 ,amen4 ,,dillon ,,bronson4 ,january #h ,have we not all1 amid life's petty strife1 ,some pure ideal of a noble life ,that once seemed possible8 ,did we not hear ,the flutter of its wings and feel it near1 ,and just within our reach8 ,it was4 ,and yet ,we lost it in this daily jar and fret4 ,but still our place is kept and it will wait1 ,ready for us to fill it1 soon or late4 ,no star is ever lost we once have seen3 ,we always may be what we might have been4 ,,adelaide ,a4 ,,procter4 ,o ,thou1 whose goodness is new to us every morning and fresh every evening1 we bless ,thee for ,thy patient and unforgetting care of all of us4 ,though we transgress ,thy beneficent laws and frequently lose sight of our cherished ideals1 our hunger and thirst for righteousness never dies1 for we partake of ,thy ,divine ,nature4 ,o that we might always be animated with ,thy spirit of disinterested ,love4 ,we thank ,thee this day for the inspiration of light and joy of our gifted poets and pray that we may meet the daily trials of life with a sweet and courageous spirit1 remembering that no star we have ever seen will cease to shine4 ,amen4 ,,william ,g4 ,,babcock4 ,january #i ,the future is lighted for us with the radiant colors of hope4 ,strife and sorrow shall disappear4 ,peace and love shall reign supreme4 ,the dream of poets1 the lesson of priest and prophet1 the inspiration of the great musician1 is confirmed in the light of modern knowledge2 and1 as we gird ourselves for the work of life1 we may look forward to the time when in the truest sense the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of ,christ1 and ,he shall reign forever and ever1 ,king of ,kings1 and ,lord of ,lords4 ,,john ,,fiske4 ,all-wise and all-loving ,father1 we invoke ,thy aid at the opening of a glad1 new day4 ,for the past we thank ,thee1 remembering that each day yielded its blessings4 ,we rejoice that the victories of yesterday are the promise of larger successes today4 ,whenever during the day1 we shall be conscious of our littleness1 give us at that moment the vision of our possible largeness4 ,teach us1 however tumultuous be the outward conditions1 to maintain the inward calm4 ,today may ,thy love work its miracle upon our pain and pleasure4 ,so through faithful1 hopeful work may we find ,thy kingdom nearer at this day's close4 ,amen4 ,a4 ,,eugene ,,bartlett4 ,january #aj ,blessings on the man who smiles6 ,i do not mean the man who smiles for effect1 nor the one who smiles when the world smiles4 ,i mean the man whose smile is born of an inner radiance1 the man who smiles when the clouds lower1 when fortune frowns1 when the tides are adverse4 ,such a man not only makes a new world for himself1 but he multiplies himself an hundred fold in the strength and courage of other men4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,blessed art ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 our ,father in heaven and on the earth6 ,give to us of ,thy blessedness that all this day we may rejoice in ,thee4 ,incline our hearts to see ,thy goodness and wisdom4 ,make the gladness of our hearts constant that it may illumine our presence1 so that those who walk with us may walk in ,thy light and give ,thee thanks4 ,make ,thy joy our strength1 whether expressed in storm or sunshine1 that we may consent to ,thy will cheerfully4 ,we ask these and all gifts in the name of ,him who would have ,his joy abide in us1 that our joy may be fulfilled4 ,amen4 ,,alexander ,,mckenzie4 ,january #aa ,talk happiness6 ,the world is sad enough1 ,without your woes4 ,no path is wholly rough2 ,look for the places that are smooth and clear ,and speak of those who rest the weary ear ,of earth1 so hurt by one continuous strain ,of human discontent and grief and pain4 ,talk health6 ,the dreary1 never changing tale ,of mortal maladies is worn and stale4 ,you cannot charm or interest or please1 ,by harping on that minor chord1 disease4 ,say you are well1 or all is well with you1 ,and ,god shall hear your words and make them true4 ,,ella ,,wheeler ,,wilcox4 ,heavenly ,father1 by whose mercy we are permitted to greet another day1 we offer ,thee this morning our grateful praise for all the blessings of this life4 ,we take from ,thee with thankful heart the gift of health1 conscious that we shall never know how rich the gift until we lose it4 ,now1 while it is ours1 may we use it with abounding joy for the good of those we may meet this day4 ,to be able to bring light where there is darkness1 hope where there is despair1 comfort where there is sorrow1 and so to be the children of our ,father which is in ,heaven1 for this we pray1 with the pardon of our sins1 in ,jesus' name4 ,amen4 ,,francis ,h4 ,,rowley4 ,january #ab ,the crest and crowning of all good1 ,life's final star1 is ,brotherhood2 ,for it will bring again to ,earth ,her long-lost ,poesy and ,mirth2 ,will send new light on every face1 ,a kingly power upon the race1 ,and till it comes1 we men are slaves1 ,and travel downward to the dust of graves4 ,come clear the way1 then1 clear the way2 ,blind creeds and kings have had their day1 ,our hope is in the aftermath-- ,our hope is in heroic men1 ,star-led to build the world again4 ,to this event the ages ran2 ,make way for ,brotherhood--make way for ,man4 ,,edwin ,,markham4 ,o ,lord1 make us like ,thee4 ,there can be no greater ambition1 no loftier desire1 no holier purpose1 for ,thou holdest the secret of ,brotherhood4 ,like ,thee1 the only begotten of the ,father1 the essence of love1 the joy of angels1 the hope of the world1--make us like ,thee1 ,o ,christ4 ,let ,thy light be our light2 thy service our joy2 ,thy peace our inheritance4 ,touch our lips that we may say no unkind word2 touch our hearts that we may feel no wrong desires4 ,may our living be for the world's good1 our acts precious helps to ,thy kingdom1 our all consecrated to ,thy blessed service4 ,may we be satisfied when we awake with ,thy likeness4 ,amen4 ,,william ,h4 ,,main4 ,january #ac ,if there be some weaker one1 ,give me strength to help him on2 ,if a blinder soul there be1 ,let me guide him nearer ,thee4 ,make my mortal dreams come true ,with the work ,i fain would do2 ,clothe with life the weak intent1 ,let me be the thing ,i meant2 ,let me find in ,thine employ ,peace that dearer is than joy6 ,,john ,,greenleaf ,,whittier4 ,heavenly ,father6 ,we humbly beseech ,thee to breathe upon us ,thy ,holy ,spirit1 that we may be ,thy true disciples1 that we may be quick to see our brother's need1 and quicker to relieve it4 ,if he has lost his way1 may we be aided to show it to him clearly4 ,may we see our brother in the ,master's prodigal1 and find in every needy soul our sphere of service4 ,forgive our weak excuses1 and make the flickering embers burn to fervent heat1 that the ideal ,thou hast given in ,thy ,word may command every power of our lives4 ,for ,jesus' sake1 ,amen4 ,,george ,,whitaker4 ,january #ad ,a ,german allegory tells of two little girls4 ,they had been playing together in a strange garden1 and soon one ran in to her mother full of disappointment4 ,the garden's a sad place1 mother4 ,why1 my child8 ,i've been all around1 and every rose-tree has cruel1 long thorns upon it6 ,then the second child came in breathless4 ,o ,mother1 the garden's a beautiful place6 ,how so1 my child8 ,why1 ,i've been all around1 and every thorn-bush has lovely roses growing on it6 ,and the mother wondered at the difference in the two children4 ,,anonymous4 ,divine ,spirit and ,soul of this day6 ,we rejoice in its accomplished and its prophetic beauty and wealth which even our undisciplined hearts and minds may readily perceive1 but may we increase the joy of its activities and its whole divine meaning by a deeper appreciation of its ministry to the disciplined life we bear4 ,if there shall be fortunes in its passing which we would not choose1 if there shall be encountered any experiences we would shun1 may we remember that our reverses only emphasize our successes1 that our sorrows intensify our joys1 that even the humiliation and shame of the far country add divine meaning to the ,father's ,house where wait the sandals and robes and rings for the comfort and beauty that are yet to be4 ,may we learn that the thorn protects the rose1 that the flaming sword turning in all directions protects the ,tree of ,life in every ,eden of the world4 ,may we remember that every great and good fortune of life is guarded by a seeming hostility which bears in its soul the secret of a lasting benevolence appointed for our own good4 ,amen4 ,e4 ,l4 ,,rexford4 ,january #ae ,we are haunted by an ideal life1 and it is because we have within us the beginning and the possibility of it4 ,god is our continual incitement because we are ,his children4 ,so the ideal life is in our blood and never will be still4 ,we feel the thing we ought to be beating beneath the thing we are4 ,every time we see a man who has attained our ideal a little more fully than we have it wakens our languid blood and fills us with new longings4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,o ,god1 we thank ,thee each morning for ideals which appeal to us with such persistence that we have no peace unless we pursue them4 ,even in our seeming indifference we are ill at ease1 because ,thy voice calling to us disturbs our fancied content4 ,we are not satisfied with ourselves nor with our attainments4 ,we shall be satisfied only when we wake in ,thy likeness4 ,weary though we often are in our service yet we thank ,thee that ,thou relentlessly pursuest us with even greater and higher demands4 ,help us in our onward and upward plodding4 ,revive our failing spirits4 ,lead us ever on4 ,help us to realize that in our patience we shall win our souls4 ,we pray as followers of ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,theodore ,a4 ,,fischer4 ,january #af ,o ,singer of today1 this glorious hour ,is all for you and me--what shall it give ,to us1 and ask of fate--what splendid power ,in brain and hand1 what glorious right to live ,among our fellows and to war with sin8 ,what quickening of the pulse as we aspire ,to claim our right1 and risk earth's joys to win1 ,to conquer self1 and force it through the fire6 ,give us this force1 dear ,god1 and evermore ,give us a deepening love of all our fellowmen2 ,give us new insight--courage to explore ,with all the tenderness of human ken ,the lowliest heart that beats in human kind1 ,its glory and its soul to seek and find6 ,,william ,,ordway ,,partridge4 ,o ,soul of all souls6 ,baptize us afresh this morning into the lustral waters that we may devoutly thank ,thee that ,thou art and that ,thou dost clearly reveal ,thyself to ,christian souls through ,thy ,son1 as the ,father of the great brotherhood of mankind4 ,so wait upon us that we shall go forth to this day's duties resolved upon so living as to render the morning glad1 the noon redolent with merciful activity1 and the evening full of praise4 ,thus quickened and enlarged the night will afford rest and recuperation fitting us to welcome the morrow1 still hoping1 loving1 progressing1 obedient to the sainted call1 ,up higher1 being incessantly recompensed with the coveted refrain1 ,well done4 ,amen4 ,s4 ,h4 ,,mccollester4 ,january #ag ,there is one topic peremptorily forbidden to all well-bred1 to all rational mortals1 namely1 their distempers4 ,if you have not slept or if you have slept1 or if you have headache1 or sciatica1 or leprosy or thunder stroke1 ,i beseech you1 by all angels1 to hold your peace1 and not pollute the morning1 to which all the housemates bring serene and pleasant thoughts1 by corruption and groans4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,our ,father1 when we remember the multitude of ,thy mercies our hearts are filled with peace and praise and we are ashamed to murmur and complain4 ,turn our thoughts toward the love and joy that this day holds for us2 its opportunities1 its privileges and victories4 ,let the morning light dispel the shadows on our faces and the fears in our hearts4 ,thou hast glorified us and will glorify us again4 ,help us to be grateful for the rose that smiles amidst the thorns and the light that ever shines behind the clouds4 ,grant that the spirit of trust may prevail in us and send us on our way with power to conquer4 ,amen4 ,,abram ,,conklin4 ,january #ah ,simplicity is a state of mind4 ,it dwells in the main intention of our lives4 ,a man is simple when his chief care is the wish to be what he ought to be1 that is1 honestly and naturally human4 ,and this is neither so easy nor so impossible as one might think4 ,at bottom it consists in putting our acts and aspirations in accordance with the law of our being1 and consequently with the ,eternal ,intention which willed that we should be at all4 ,let a flower be a flower1 a swallow a swallow1 a rock a rock1 and let a man be a man1 and not a fox1 a hare1 a hog1 or a bird of prey2 this is the sum of the whole matter4 ,,charles ,,wagner4 ,dear ,heavenly ,father1 we rejoice in the awakening of body and soul to new activities4 ,we thank ,thee for the gift of divinity in the soul and for opportunity to give it expression4 ,we would be true to ourselves1 knowing we can thus alone be true to ,thee4 ,o ,god1 hush the voice of evil passion4 ,quicken every noble aspiration4 ,grant the vision of ,thy holy love that ,thy image within us may remain clear in the turmoil of our life4 ,we pray ,thee stir the heart and mind that both may grow up to the full stature of man as it was in ,jesus1 our ,saviour4 ,amen4 ,l4 ,,ward ,,brigham4 ,january #ai ,god has put the keys to ,his kingdom into your own hands4 ,your intelligence is a key1 your affection is a key1 your conscience is a key4 ,with these keys you are to unlock the great doors of life1 and gain access to its heavenly treasures4 ,,james ,m4 ,,pullman4 ,master of life1 as ,thou hast opened our eyes to see the sun1 open the eyes of our hearts to see the splendor of ,thy law4 ,and even as ,thou dost bring to birth1 through the marriage of our eye and the sun1 all the beauty of this visible world1 so through the union between our hearts and ,thy holy will1 create a world rejoicing in the beauty of truth and justice and peace4 ,lead us this day deeper into the mystery of ,thy life and our life and make us interpreters of life to our fellows1 through ,him who by ,his death opened for us the book of life1 ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,henry ,s4 ,,nash4 ,january #bj ,a noiseless1 patient spider1 ,i mark'd how on a little promontory it stood isolated1 ,mark'd how to explore the vacant1 vast surrounding1 ,it launch'd forth filament1 filament1 filament1 out of itself1 ,ever unreeling them1 ever tirelessly speeding them4 ,and you1 ,o my soul1 where you stand1 ,surrounded1 detached1 in measureless oceans of space1 ,ceaselessly musing1 venturing1 throwing1 seeking the spheres to connect them1 ,till the bridge you will need be form'd1 till the ductile anchor hold1 ,till the gossamer threads you fling catch somewhere ,o my soul4 ,,walt ,,whitman4 ,thou ,infinite ,spirit1 we are glad of all human relationships4 ,we are thankful for all companionship with nature4 ,we rejoice in the fellowship with books1 yet like the child who grows tired with every plaything and every childish task and lonely for a mother's love1 we look to ,thee with an infinite longing4 ,in our effort to solve the problems of life1 we throw our web of life hither and thither1 but it will not hold4 ,only when at last we have thrown the thread of faith to ,thee1 shall the ductile anchor hold4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 as we go forth into this day1 may we not leave ,thee for any dream or phantom1 but may we walk with ,thee all day long1 and find in ,thee the answer to every longing and the solution of every problem4 ,though we may not see1 we may trust and wait4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,january #ba ,do not think of your faults1 still less of others' faults2 in every person who comes near you1 look for what is good and strong2 honor that2 rejoice in it2 and as you can1 try to imitate it2 and your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes4 ,,ruskin4 ,with a clear sky1 a bright sun1 and a gentle breeze1 you will have friends in plenty2 but let fortune frown1 and the firmament be overcast1 and then your friends will prove like the strings of the lute1 of which you will tighten ten before you find one that will bear the stretch and keep the pitch4 ,,gotthold4 ,dear ,father1 may the new day bring some fresh and inspiring thought of ,thyself4 ,may it give some tender communion with the universe1 kindling into beauty as ,thy smile shines through4 ,may we make and keep a few dear friends4 ,may some good book enrich the passing hours4 ,may love flow through all acts1 and the star of hope shine in all shadows4 ,and trusting ,thee supremely1 may we humbly do our best that good may abound on earth4 ,amen4 ,,joseph ,h4 ,,crooker4 ,january #bb ,the power of mere activity is often overrated4 ,it is not what the best men do1 but what they are1 that constitutes their truest benefaction to their fellowmen4 ,the things that men do get their value1 after all1 from the way in which they are able to show the existence of character which can comfort and help mankind4444 ,it is the lives1 like the stars1 which simply pour down on us the calm light of their bright and faithful being1 up to which we look and out of which we gather the deepest calm and courage4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,thou knowest1 dear ,father1 how often we wish to do many things which are beyond our power4 ,help us to believe that ,thou dost accept the wish when we cannot do the deed4 ,but we thank ,thee that we can do some things1 though they are not large nor many4 ,we know that as we grow in faith1 in patience1 in courage1 in love1 we radiate light and peace and power to those who are around us4 ,as we begin a new day1 we are uplifted by the thought that we have been called into being because ,thou desirest the love of children1 and because we are to co-work with ,thee by loving and serving all whom we can reach4 ,always1 we believe1 art ,thou ready to help us4 ,always art ,thou brooding over us to draw us nearer to ,thee1 and to give us light and strength to be fellow-workers with ,thee4 ,in this new day1 may we speak some word and do some work which shall please ,thee and give us joy as we shall lie down to sleep4 ,amen4 ,,henry ,,blanchard4 ,january #bc ,we pride ourselves1 in weighing worth and merit1 ,too much in virtues that we but inherit4 ,some punctual grandsire makes us hate delay ,and we are proud to keep our oath and day4 ,but our ancestral follies and abuses ,we still indulge in1 and make for them excuses4 ,let him be proud1 dared man be proud at all1 ,who stands where all his fathers used to fall1 ,holding their virtues fast and passing on ,still higher good through his own victories won4 ,,isaac ,,ogden ,,rankin4 ,this morning1 the sun shines by his own inherent worth4 ,the clouds often intercept his influence but he shines back of them and finds a way through the slightest cleft to tip them with glory4 ,he always reveals himself--his inner self--and makes all purer and more beautiful4 ,may we so shine6 ,the world needs the divinity there is in us4 ,we are a part of ,thee4 ,thou art our deeper self4 ,the ,nazarean prophet relied entirely upon his inner life and found ancient good uncouth4 ,whatever clouds intercept our influence1 teach us to reveal what conscience dictates1 what intuition illumines1 what reason shows1 to purify our time1 and all unrighteousness1 wrong thinking and useless and hurtful custom4 ,to this end1 give us purity1 courage1 and nobility4 ,amen4 ,,william ,s4 ,,morgan4 ,january #bd ,my faith begins where your religion ends1-- ,in service to mankind4 ,this single thread ,is given to guide us through the maze of life4 ,you start at one end1 ,i the other2 you1 ,with eyes fixed only upon ,god1 begin ,with lofty faith1 and1 seeking but to know ,and do ,his will who guides the universe1 ,you find the slender and mysterious thread ,leads down to earth1 with ,god's divine command ,to help your fellowmen2 but this to me ,is something strangely vague4 ,i see alone ,the fellowmen1 the suffering fellowmen4 ,yet1 with a cup of water in my hand ,for all who thirst1 who knows but ,i one day1 ,following faithfully the slender thread1 ,may reach its other end1 and kneel at last ,with you in heaven at the feet of ,god8 ,,alice ,,wellington ,,rollins4 ,our ,father in heaven1 author of life and light1 justice and mercy1 liberty and love1 we hail with joy and gratitude this new born day1 token of ,thy presence1 good will and continued care4 ,help us with high ideals1 pure thoughts and noble endeavors to hallow ,thy name1 trusting where we cannot prove1 proving where we cannot trust1 by a willing service to our fellowmen1 ever advancing by faith1 by works1 with a strong heart1 a firm step1 a generous hand1 a sunny smile1 and a cheering voice1 until we all come into the measure of the stature of the fulness of ,christ2 and ,thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven4 ,amen4 ,,henry ,n4 ,,couden4 ,january #be ,if you would have sunlight in your home1 see that you have work in it3 that you work yourself and set others to work4 ,nothing makes moroseness and heavy-heartedness in a house so fast as idleness4 ,the very children gloom and sulk if they are left with nothing to do4 ,every day there is the light of something conquered in the eyes of those who work4 ,in such a house1 if there be also the good temper of love1 sunshine never ceases4 ,for in it the great law of humanity is obeyed1 a law which is also ,god's law4 ,for what said ,christ1 ,my ,father worketh hitherto and ,i work4 ,sunlight comes with work4 ,,stopford ,a4 ,,brooke4 ,o ,thou1 who art the source of light and life1 we pause in ,thy presence at the opening of the day1 that in the light of thy countenance we may see ourselves as we are and as we ought to be1 and receive the inspiration to consecrated effort and worthy achievement4 ,we thank ,thee that ,thou hast done so much for us and yet left so much for us to do4 ,may we think how important are these lives we are going to live today2 that no matter how small we are1 this universe in all its majesty can never be complete without our effort1 and ,thou1 ,almighty ,god1 art waiting with infinite patience for us to do our part4 ,thus shall our work1 however humble1 be glorified by a ,godlike temper and a ,christlike faith4 ,amen4 ,,frederick ,a4 ,,bisbee4 ,january #bf ,all that is1 at all1 ,lasts ever1 past recall3 ,earth changes1 but thy soul and ,god stand sure2 ,what entered into thee1 ,that was1 is and shall be4 99 99 99 99 99 ,he fixed thee 'mid this dance ,of plastic circumstance1 ,this ,present1 thou1 forsooth1 wouldst fain arrest2 ,machinery just meant ,to give thy soul its bent1 ,try thee1 and turn thee forth1 sufficiently impressed4 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o ,father1 for the yet unwrought possibilities of this day4 ,show us ,thy purpose2 or1 if it please ,thee1 withhold the entire plan1 yet may our faith claim a divine sanction for each hour's work as a part of the fulfilment of ,thy purpose4 ,we pray for strength and patience to have our souls rightly impressed by the cares1 the joys1 and disappointments of life4 ,make the things of the body only incidental to us4 ,save us from all but the best things4 ,give us the happiness of harmony with ,thee4 ,wilt ,thou grant these things through the power of ,thy spirit1 and in the name of ,thy perfect ,son1 the vision of whom transforms our lives4 ,amen4 ,,george ,w4 ,,owen4 ,january #bg ,beloved1 let us love so well1 ,our work shall still be better for our love ,and still our love be sweeter for our work4 ,,elizabeth ,,barrett ,,browning4 ,if your name is to live at all1 it is so much more to have it live in people's hearts than only in their brains6 ,i don't know that one's eyes fill with tears when he thinks of the famous inventor of logarithms1 but a song of ,burns or a hymn of ,charles ,wesley goes straight to your heart and you can't help loving both of them1 the sinner as well as the saint4 ,,oliver ,,wendell ,,holmes4 ,our ,father1 who art in heaven1 help us to hold ,thee in our hearts this day1 that we may live for ,thee1 from the love of ,thee4 ,forgive us that we have not always a thankful spirit4 ,strengthen our wills to do good work1 as in ,thy sight1 with clean hands and heart4 ,help us now as we pray1 and flood the morning with the sunshine of ,thy face1 that we may be glad all the day long1 and bring other lives into the brightness of ,thy light4 ,save us from a partial mind1 that we may love all ,thy little ones with the same love of ,him who said ,of such is the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,w4 ,,holden4 ,january #bh ,all thoughts of ill2 all evil deeds4 ,that have their root in thoughts of ill2 ,whatever hinders or impedes ,the noble action of the will2-- ,all these must first be trampled down ,beneath our feet if we would gain ,in the bright fields of fair renown ,the right of eminent domain4 ,we have not wings1 we cannot soar2 ,but we have feet to scale and climb ,by slow degrees1 by more and more1 ,the cloudy summits of our time4 ,,henry ,w4 ,,longfellow4 ,we bless ,thee1 ,lord1 for the new day and for the new chance which it offers to our wayward lives4 ,forgive the evil in them1 and make the good efficient4 ,let the tides of ,thy spirit bring to us cleansing1 refreshment and power4 ,in the day's business may we be brave1 cheerful and considerate4 ,grant us a clear vision of the path of honor and the will to choose it at whatever cost4 ,we wait upon ,thee for renewal of our strength2 for uplift as on eagle's wings2 for unwearied running upon ,thy larger errands1 if ,thou shalt ordain us to such high employ2 but most of all1 for grace to walk life's common ways without fainting4 ,so at evening wilt ,thou send ,thy peace4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,m4 ,,chapman4 ,january #bi ,don't you touch the edge of the great gladness that is in the world1 now and then1 in spite of your own little single worries8 ,well1 that's what ,god means2 and the worry is the interruption4 ,he never means that4444 ,if you are glad for one minute in the day1 that is ,his minute2 the minute ,he means1 and works for4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,dear ,father1 ,thou hast made us fit for joy4 ,help us today to grasp our birthright of gladness4 ,for those things which must be borne in sorrow give us submission4 ,let us taste the salt tonic of our tears and feel the strength born of struggle and the peace wrested from trial4 ,make us glad that friendly hands meet our own2 that kindness is always sweet and sympathy divine4 ,teach us to lay hold on the radiance of each hour1 that the morning bow of promise may become our evening glory and prophesy another glad new day4 ,as children find content and joy by looking into their father's face so we turn to ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,effie ,,mccollum ,,jones4 ,january #cj ,still must ,i climb if ,i would rest2 ,the bird soars upward to his nest2 ,the young leaf on the tree-top high ,cradles itself within the sky4 ,i cannot in the valley stay3 ,the great horizons stretch away2 ,the very cliffs that wall me round ,are ladders unto higher ground4 ,i am not glad till ,i have known ,life that can lift me from mine own2 ,a loftier level must be won4 ,a mightier strength to lean upon4 ,,lucy ,,larcom4 ,heavenly ,father1 as the bird that soars first looks upward1 we turn our souls to ,thee1 seeking inspiration that in the duties of today we may live to the full height of the faculties ,thou hast given4 ,help us to know what is right and to follow it day by day continually4 ,grant that our toils this day may be acts of service as sacramental as our prayer4 ,in our weakness1 grant us of ,thy strength that we may pass from glory to glory till we are transformed at last into the perfect image of ,thy spirit4 ,and when our work on earth is ended1 when the clods of the valley are sweet to our weary frame1 take us home to ,thyself4 ,amen4 ,,nathaniel ,s4 ,,sage4 ,january #ca ,only a frown6 ,yet it pressed a sting ,into the day which had been so glad2 ,the red rose turned to a scentless thing3 ,the bird-song ceased with discordant ring2 ,and a heart was heavy and sad4 ,only a smile6 yet it cast a spell ,over the sky which had been so gray2 ,the rain made music wherever it fell2 ,the wind sang the song of the marriage-bell2 ,and a heart was light and gay4 ,,anonymous4 ,with our tribute of praise1 ,o ,father1 we would begin this day2 this day1 which1 with all its bounties1 is ,thy gift4 ,prepare us1 we beseech ,thee1 for the experiences of the hours as they open before us4 ,gratefully remembering that we are ,thy children1 may our duties weigh with such sacredness upon our hearts that we may shun the evil way as unworthy those so richly endowed and blest4 ,write1 we pray ,thee1 ,thy law within us2 and may our love of ,thee make it so easy and so joyous to obey that we shall continually grow into the likeness of ,him whose mission it is to fill the world with blessedness and peace4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,w4 ,,tomlinson4 ,february #a ,father1 ,i will not ask for wealth or fame1 ,though once they would have joyed my carnal sense4 ,i shudder not to bear a hated name1 ,wanting all wealth1 myself my sole defence4 ,but give me1 ,lord1 eyes to behold the truth2 ,a seeing sense that knows the eternal right2 ,a heart with pity filled1 and gentlest ruth2 ,a manly faith that makes all darkness light2 ,give me the power to labor for mankind2 ,make me the mouth of such as cannot speak2 ,eyes let me be to groping man and blind2 ,a conscience to the base2 and to the weak ,let me be hands and feet2 and to the foolish1 mind2 ,and lead still farther on such as ,thy ,kingdom seek4 ,,theodore ,,parker4 ,heavenly ,father1 we speak to ,thee this morning out of a sense of rest and trust4 ,we would begin the day with ,thee and keep in ,thy company to its close4 ,whether we work or pray1 wilt ,thou rule our spirits8 ,conscious in this moment of freedom1 that we shall soon be pressed and absorbed by our own cares1 we pray1 ,father1 that we may keep in mind the privilege and joy of bearing each other's burdens and so fulfilling the law of ,christ4 ,nor ever permit us to fall away from perfect faith in ,thy purpose4 ,work in us and through us to usher in the morning when ,truth shall spring out of the earth and ,righteousness shall come down from heaven4 ,amen4 ,,isaac ,m4 ,,atwood4 ,february #b ,as when good news is come to one in grief1 straightway he forgetteth his former grief1 and no longer attendeth to anything except the good news which he hath heard1 so do ye1 also6 having received a renewal of your soul through the beholding of these good things4 ,put on therefore gladness that hath always favor before ,god1 and is acceptable unto ,him1 and delight thyself in it2 for every man that is glad doeth the things that are good1 and thinketh good thoughts1 despising grief4 ,,marius ,,the ,,epicurean4 ,o ,lord1 we know there are a thousand reasons why we should be glad4 ,we cannot always forget our sorrows and our failures2 there are manifold sources of temporary vexation and annoyance and harassing care1 but in the face of ,thine overmastering ,providence and ,love we cannot long be vexed nor sad4 ,if tears have dimmed our eyes let us brush away the tears4 ,if troubles and cares have burdened our hearts let us rise triumphant over them all and for this day be glad2 and in our gladness let us find our strength4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,february #c ,do not dare to be so absorbed in your own life1 so wrapped up in listening to the sound of your own hurrying wheels1 that all this vast pathetic music1 made up of the mingled joy and sorrow of your fellowmen1 shall not find out your heart and claim it and make you rejoice to give yourself for them4444 ,be sure that ambition and charity will both grow mean unless they are both inspired and exalted by religion4 ,energy1 love1 and faith1--these make the perfect man4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,o ,thou who art not far from any one of us1 but art the ,source and ,sustainer of our life1 gratefully do we acknowledge the ,mercy that has given us this new day with its certain opportunity for living the glad1 true life4 ,directed by ,thee1 may this be for us a day of progress4 ,may its duties be performed with alacrity and cheerfulness1 its lessons learned with humility1 its temptations met with resolute will1 its crosses with patient hope4 ,we thank ,thee for the life of the ,master who has shown us that if we would live ,thy divine life1 ours must be one of continual service and constant progression4 ,if1 tried by the seeming drudgery of duties daily repeated1 we long for the end of our labors or dream of an idle heaven1 ,o forgive our weakness1 and help us trustingly to obey ,thy voice as it whispers1 ,up and on1 this is not thy rest4 ,thus let the day close on hours well spent1 and ,thy joy and peace fill our hearts4 ,amen4 ,,john ,,murray ,,atwood4 ,february #d ,who art thou that complainest of thy life of toil8 ,complain not4 ,look up1 my wearied brother2 see thy fellow-workmen there1 in ,god's eternity2 surviving there1 they alone surviving2 sacred band of the ,immortals1 celestial body-guard of the empire of mankind4 ,to thee1 ,heaven1 though severe1 is as that ,spartan mother1 saying while she gave her son his shield1 ,with it1 my son1 or upon it4 ,thou too shalt return home in honor2 to thy far distant ,home1 in honor2 doubt it not1--if in the battle thou keep thy shield6 ,thou1 in the ,eternities1 and deepest death-kingdoms1 art not an alien2 thou everywhere art a denizen4 ,complain not4 ,,thomas ,,carlyle4 ,o ,thou ,god of goodness and grace1 who dost turn ,thy smiling countenance upon the upturned faces of ,thy children1 help us to find in the light of another day the continued proof of ,thy fatherly care and tender mercy4 ,since ,thou art so well disposed towards us1 give us courage to attempt anything which the duties of this day require1 remembering that ,thou canst not ask anything beyond our strength1 or withhold from us the blessing of ,thy ,divine approval4 ,living under ,thy smile help us to be strong and calm and confident1 delighting ,thy heart by our faith in ,thee and our love for our fellowmen4 ,amen4 ,,samuel ,c4 ,,bushnell4 ,february #e ,this goodly frame1 the earth1 seems to me a sterile promontory2 this most excellent canopy1 the air1 look you1 this brave o'er-hanging firmament1 this majestical roof fretted with golden fire1 why1 it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors4 ,what a piece of work is a man6 how noble in reason6 how infinite in faculty6 in form and moving how express and admirable6 in action how like an angel6 in apprehension how like a god6 ,,shakespeare4 ,our ,father in ,heaven1 we pray ,thee that this may be a bright and happy day in each of our lives4 ,may there be sunshine in our hearts because they are attuned to ,thine4 ,going about our daily tasks1 ,thy spirit within us1 may we make our little portion of the earth not a sterile promontory but a rich garden abounding in the fruits of the spirit1 and may we1 by ,thy grace1 be enabled to dispel some of the pestilent vapors of wordliness and doubt4 ,in all things1 may we remember our divine parentage and conform our lives more and more to the pattern shown us by ,thy dear ,son1 ,jesus ,christ1 in whose name we pray4 ,amen4 ,,francis ,e4 ,,clark4 ,february #f ,there was a merchant once1 who on the way ,meeting one fatherless and lamed1 did stay ,to draw the thorn which pricked his foot1 and passed2 ,and 'twas forgot2 and the man died at last4 ,but in a dream the ,prince of ,khojand spies ,that man again1 walking in ,paradise4 ,walking and talking in that blessed land1 ,and what he said the prince could understand2 ,for he said this1 plucking the heavenly posies2 ,wonderful6 ,one thorn made me many roses6 ,,edwin ,,arnold4 ,dear ,father in ,heaven1 with our life refreshed and renewed by sleep1 we would face the duties of the day with strong hope and a ready courage4 ,forbid that these shall in any degree be diminished by any difficulty or perplexity that may arise4 ,we pray for wisdom and love4 ,grant us that interest in others that shall impel us to help those who are in need4 ,and may our desire to minister move us not only to dress the wounds of those whom the thorns have injured1 but to clear the paths1 along which men must pass1 of those conditions and influences which inevitably maim and blight4 ,may we serve ,thee faithfully and with gladness this day6 ,amen4 ,,harry ,l4 ,,canfield4 ,february #g ,quicksand years that whirl me ,i know not whither1 ,your schemes1 politics fail1 lines give way1 substances mock and elude me1 ,only the theme ,i sing1 the great and strong-possess'd soul1 eludes not1 ,one's self must never give way--that is the final substance--that out of all is sure1 ,out of politics1 triumphs1 battles1 life1 what at last finally remains8 ,when shows break up what but ,one's self is sure8 ,,walt ,,whitman4 ,o ,thou1 who beholdest all the souls of men1 in our vision of another new day1 help us to see as ,thou seest2 to be conscious not of our own need and desert alone1 but also of the deserts and needs of all those with whom we have to do2 shaping our prayer and directing the effort that follows after all true prayer in accordance with this wider outlook4 ,o ,thou1 who fashionest the hearts of all1 who observest all their works1 we would strengthen and purify our hearts that they may be fitted to be fashioned by ,thee to noble ends1 and set to some good service2 and we would do our daily work as in the sight of one who knows and loves all honest1 thorough workers1 great or humble1 wise or simple4 ,amen4 ,,augustus ,,mendon ,,lord4 ,february #h ,truth should be the first lesson of the child and the last aspiration of ,manhood2 for it has been well said that the inquiry of truth1 which is the love-making of it1 the knowledge of truth1 which is the presence of it1 and the belief of truth1 which is the enjoying of it1 is the sovereign good of human nature4 ,we search the world for truth2 we cull ,the good1 the pure1 the beautiful1 ,from graven stone and written scroll1 ,from all old flower-fields of the soul4 ,,john ,,greenleaf ,,whittier4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we acknowledge ,thee as the ,author and ,giver of all truth4 ,we bless ,thee that ,thou hast attuned our souls to its music1 and that when with conscious life we touch its strings covering the universe we feel harmony with the ,divine4 ,we thank ,thee for the truths of our sonship in ,thee and for the assurances of ,thy ,fatherhood4 ,we bless ,thee for ,jesus who was the truth made life1 and who is our daily guide to its blessings4 ,we thank ,thee for the truth of immortality1 with its encouragement to eager life today and its assurances of endless joyful tomorrows4 ,make us seekers of truth1 lovers of truth and examples of truth as it is in ,jesus our ,savior4 ,amen4 ,,fred ,a4 ,,dillingham4 ,february #i ,all things are engaged in writing their history4 ,the planet1 the pebble1 goes attended by its shadow4 ,the rolling rock leaves its scratches on the mountain2 the river1 its channel in the soil2 the animal1 its bones in the stratum2 the fern and leaf1 their modest epitaph in the coal4 ,the falling drop makes its sculpture in the sand or the stone4 ,not a foot steps into the snow or along the ground1 but prints1 in characters more or less lasting1 a map of its march4 ,every act of the man inscribes itself in the memory of his fellows1 and in his own manners and face4 ,the air is full of sounds1 the sky of tokens1 the ground is all memoranda and signatures1 and every object covered over with hints which speak to the intelligent4 ,ralph ,waldo ,emerson4 ,our ,father1 who art in ,heaven and in every manifestation of living nature1 we turn our thoughts to ,thee with the rising of each new sun4 ,we hear ,thy voice in the singing of every summer bird4 ,we realize ,thy presence in the shifting shadows of the clouds4 ,in the arching blue above us we realize something of the depth and breadth of the love that arches over the horizon of our life and stretches like the radiant bow of promise from the green hills of childhood to the sombre mountains of old age4 ,we beseech ,thee to give us thoughts so beautiful and ennobling that even amid the sods and clods of life's daily drudgery we can always face the morning light of some new hope which comes like the old song sung in the new land4 ,amen4 ,,john ,,kimball4 ,february #aj ,first1 when ,i feel that ,i am become cold and indisposed to prayer1 by reason of other business and thoughts1 ,i take my psalter and run into my chamber1 or1 if day and season serve1 into the church to the multitude1 and begin to repeat to myself--just as children used--the ten commandments1 the creed1 and1 according as ,i have time1 some sayings of ,christ or of ,paul1 or some ,psalms4 ,therefore it is well to let prayer be the first employment in the early morning1 and the last in the evening4 ,avoid diligently those false and deceptive thoughts which say1 ,wait a little1 ,i will pray an hour hence2 ,i must first perform this or that4 ,for with such thoughts a man quits prayer for business that lays hold of and entangles him1 so that he comes not to pray the whole day long4 ,,martin ,,luther4 ,o ,lord1 our ,heavenly ,father1 who keepest covenant and loving kindness with ,thy servants1 who walk humbly with ,thee1 and who hast been attentive to the prayers of our fathers when they lifted up their hearts and their hands to ,thee1 teach us to pray1 and to love to pray4 ,visit us in the night season and before the morning watch4 ,touch our spirits with the flame of ,thy ,spirit1 before the day's business lays hold upon us and entangles us1 through ,jesus ,christ1 our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,reuben ,,kidner4 ,february #aa ,in one of ,dean ,stanley's sermons to children1 preached at ,westminster ,abbey1 he told the following story3 ,there was a little girl living with her grandfather4 ,she was a good child1 but he was not a very good man2 and one day1 when the little child came back from school1 he had put in writing over the bed1 ',god is nowhere1' for he did not believe in the good ,god1 and he tried to make the little child believe the same4 ,what did the little girl do8 ,she had no eyes to see1 no ears to hear1 what her grandfather tried to teach her4 ,she was very small4 ,she could only read words of one syllable at a time2 she rose above the bad meaning which he tried to put in her mind2 she rose1 as we all ought to rise1 above the temptation of our time2 she rose into a higher and better world2 she rose because her little mind could not do otherwise1 and she read the words1 not ',god is nowhere1' but ',god is now here4' ,that is what we all should strive to do4 ,out of words which have no sense or which have bad sense1 our eyes1 our minds1 ought to be able to read a better sense4 ,,william ,,moodie4 ,o ,thou1 ,invisible ,presence1 there can be no place where ,thou art not4 ,thou1 our ,father1 art in heaven and on earth and everywhere4 ,thou art in the order of the rock1 the beauty of the flower1 the light of the sun and stars1 and goodness in the human soul4 ,teach us to be conscious of ,thy nearness to us1 and so may we never be afraid4 ,in the light of ,thy countenance1 may we see duty and truth1 and recognize more easily the good in one another4 ,amen4 ,,alva ,,roy ,,scott4 ,february #ab ,,abraham ,,lincoln ,,born #ahji ,chosen for large designs1 he had the art ,of winning with his humour1 and he went ,straight to his mark1 which was the human heart2 ,wise1 too1 for what he could not break he bent4 ,upon his back a more than ,atlas-load-- ,the burden of the ,commonwealth was laid2 ,he stooped1 and rose up to it1 though the road ,shot suddenly downwards1 not a whit dismayed4 ,hold1 warriors1 counsellors1 kings6 all now give place ,to this dear benefactor of the race4 ,,richard ,h4 ,,stoddard4 ,almighty ,father1 we thank ,thee today for the gracious memory of ,thy servant who lived and died for the sake of a free and united nation4 ,we thank ,thee more that we have his life inwrought into the very fabric of the life of the nation4 ,we had in him a hiding place from the wind and a covert from the tempest1 a river of water in a dry place and the shadow of a great rock in a weary land4 ,we gratefully join in praise with the thousands who found help and cheer in the shadow of his strength4 ,and now we humbly beseech ,thee1 help us in some small way this day to be a helper to the helpless1 a friend to the needy1 sunshine to those whose day will be gray and gloomy1 the shadow of a great rock to those who are buffeted by the world's storms4 ,thus shall we prove our gratitude to ,thee for the gift of ,thy servant whom we honor today1 and thus shall we honor ,thee4 ,we ask and offer all in the name of ,thy ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,avery ,a4 ,,shaw4 ,february #ac ,let us learn to be content with what we have4 ,let us get rid of our false estimates1 set up all the higher ideals--a quiet home2 vines of our own planting2 a few books full of the inspiration of a genius2 a few friends worthy of being loved1 and able to love us in return2 a hundred innocent pleasures that bring no pain or remorse2 a devotion to the right that will never swerve2 a simple religion empty of all bigotry1 full of trust and hope and love--and to such a philosophy this world will give up all the empty joy it has4 ,,david ,,swing4 ,thou gracious ,spirit of ,life1 our ,father1 at the beginning of this new day we wait for a moment before ,thee with uncovered heads and with reverent spirits2 ,thou knowest us through and through1 whatever man may think of us ,thou knowest just what we are4 ,in ,thy sight we need not pretend2 we need not make believe1 we need only be simple and genuine and brave and earnest4 ,we need be glad in the possession of what we have4 ,help us this day to rightly value that which is good and honest4 ,let us for this day at least1 put away all vanity and give ourselves unreservedly to ,thy service and the love of our fellow men4 ,to this high end1 may we have the sweet companionship of ,jesus4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,february #ad ,we go through life as some tourists go through ,europe1--so anxious to see the next sight1 the next cathedral1 the next picture1 the next mountain peak1 that we never stop to fill our sense with the beauty of the present one4 ,along all our pathways sweet flowers are blossoming1 if we will only stop to pluck them and smell their fragrance4 ,in every meadow1 birds are warbling1 calling to their mates1 and soaring into the blue1 if we will only stop our grumbling long enough to hear them4 ,,minot ,j4 ,,savage4 ,give us1 ,o ,god1 the vision to see the way where duty lies and strength to walk in it1 to ever keep the forward look and never to lose heart today because of the stumblings and fallings in the yesterdays that are forever gone4 ,let us remember that we are in ,thy hands and we are faithless to ,thee and to ourselves if knowingly we fail to do ,thy work4 ,though we cannot see ,thee1 we now see our fellow men and we shall best serve ,thee if1 in love and patience1 we help our fellows4 ,amen4 ,,almon ,,gunnison4 ,february #ae ,may ,i reach ,that purest ,heaven--be to other souls ,the cup of strength in some great agony1 ,enkindle generous ardor1 feed pure love1 ,beget the smiles that have no cruelty1 ,be that sweet presence of a good diffused1 ,and in diffusion ever more intense6 ,so shall ,i join the choir invisible1 ,whose music is the gladness of the world4 ,,george ,,eliot4 ,our heavenly ,father1 we bless ,thee for the gift of another day with all its opportunities for service4 ,and we pray that our hearts may respond in sympathy with the heartbeats of those who love and toil and suffer around us today4 ,may we learn to make their joys and sorrows our own4 ,do not let our unfeeling hands strike the heart-strings of others harshly1 nor allow our feet to go crushing roses of love1 without thought4 ,help us1 we pray ,thee1 to walk tenderly and reverently among our fellow men4 ,may their hopes and noble endeavors ring within us the prayer bells of the soul4 ,make us thus to grow large and tender and noble through our helpful ministries4 ,amen4 ,,john ,,wesley ,,carter4 ,february #af ,ah1 love and love alone at last will solve ,all the vast1 threatening questions that distract ,mankind2 that fellow-men in strife array1 ,and the whole world with fierce contentions rend4 ,still keep your idle millions under arms-- ,fed on the hard-earned substance of the poor-- ,still watch each other with keen jealousy1 ,still slaughter thousands on the field of war1 ,or strive with statesman's craft to arbitrate2 ,thread the sly mazes of diplomacy1 ,try communistic cures for every ill1 ,and when all fails at last1 for lack of love1 ,try love--the mightiest of them all--and win6 ,,henry ,,nehemiah ,,dodge4 ,god of the light1--within1 without1 who hast lifted the curtain of night from our abodes1 perfect now ,thy blessing unto us1 and take the veil from all our hearts1 and make clear to us ,thy holy presence4 ,filled with the everlasting light1 may we look on each other1 and on our work here below1 and on the strifes and conditions of humanity1 with a love and hope that are not of this world4 ,may ,faith1 ,hope and ,love abide with us--and may we realize that the greatest of these is ,love4 ,hasten ,thou the time when by love alone ,thy kingdom shall come1 and ,thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven4 ,amen4 ,,william ,b4 ,,eddy4 ,february #ag ,if the day and night are such that you greet them with joy1 and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs1 is more starry1 more immortal1--that is your success4 ,all nature is your congratulation and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself4 ,,henry ,,david ,,thoreau4 ,father1 ,i have found ,thy gift of life1 a sweet and beautiful thing4 ,it has known cloud and rain1 but these have nourished it1 and the darkness has sheltered it4 ,it has felt driving storms1 but these have strengthened it4 ,it has known sunshine too4 ,and now every day is a transfiguration and every night a benediction4 ,let thanksgiving be my prayer4 ,what ,i need ,thou wilt give4 ,my hands ,thou wilt touch with the soft petals of ,thy flowers2 and the arms of ,thy strong care shall be about me4 ,by the voices of brooks and rivers and winds and birds and little children ,thou wilt speak to me1 and in the deeper silences ,i shall hear ,thy still small voice4 ,father1 ,i thank ,thee4 ,amen4 ,o4 ,c4 ,s4 ,,wallace4 ,february #ah ,let us not care too much for what happens3 ,let us not leave our peace of mind at the mercy of events4 ,,charles ,g4 ,,ames4 ,let us lay hold of the happiness of today4 ,do we not go through life blindly1 thinking that some fair tomorrow will bring us the gift we miss today8444 ,know thou1 my heart1 if thou art not happy today1 thou shalt never be happy4 ,,anna ,,robertson ,,brown4 ,we thank ,thee1 our ,father1 that the ,satisfaction of righteousness is present as well as future4 ,help us1 we beseech ,thee1 to live this day so that earth shall seem like heaven4 ,in the proof of our adequacy to the demands of duty may we find a delight that shall more than compensate us for any pleasure or profit surrendered for its sake4 ,may the sense of ,thine approval sanctify our joys and comfort our sorrows4 ,may we win love by deserving it1 and find happiness in bestowing it4 ,through obedience to ,thy will may we add strength and spiritual beauty to our own character and carry into the evening shadows the sweet assurance that other lives have been enriched by our kind words and helpful deeds4 ,we ask it as ,thy children4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,,frank ,,thompson4 ,february #ai ',tis always morning somewhere1 and above ,the awakening continents from shore to shore4 ,somewhere the birds are singing evermore4 ,,henry ,w4 ,,longfellow4 ,the inconveniences and the petty annoyances1 the pains and the sorrows1 do we ever forget them8 ,indeed1 no2 we grumble and groan continually4 ,the blue sky and the sunshine1 the everyday mercies and the wonderful blessings that we accept as a matter of course1 do we remember to rejoice because of them8 ,only too seldom4 ,on this one day1 do let us be sincerely and expressedly thankful4 ,,anonymous4 ,our ,father1 we rejoice to believe that ,thy love is the eternal sun which knows no eclipse and that in its pure shining1 we ,thy children can go forward with brave hearts and radiant hopes1 assured that ,thy wisdom hath left nothing unfinished and that ,thy goodness faileth never4 ,we greet this new day with newness of joy in ,thy ,fatherhood as our personal right1 and with ascending ideals of a service whose gracious light shall kindle other souls into a larger hopefulness and a deeper tenderness4 ,we would fill this day with all sunny thoughts1 with all cheering words and with all generous deeds1 and thus the more effectually bring the divine light into the human and make clearer the outlines of a heaven on earth4 ,amen4 ,,arnold ,s4 ,,yantis4 ,february #bj ,no blast of air or fire of sun ,puts out the light whereby we run ,with girdled loins our lamplit race1 ,and each from each takes heart of grace ,and spirit till his turn be done1 ,and light of face from each man's face ,in whom the light of trust is one2 ,since only souls that keep their place ,by their own light1 and watch things roll1 ,and stand1 have light for any soul4 ,,algernon ,,charles ,,swinburne4 ,o ,thou1 ,who coverest ,thyself with light as with a garment1 even the true light which lighteth every man coming into the world1 shine ,thou in us1 putting to flight all the powers of darkness1 and guilt of sin1 and selfishness4 ,shine also through us to any that live in the shadow2 and so fill us with ,thy radiant ,spirit1 that we may be a lamp unto a neighbor's feet and a light unto his path4 ,and when this day is done may every face we have met be the brighter for our meeting1 and every heart braver with new joy and cheer and grace and strength4 ,for in ,thee ,o ,lord1 is life1 and ,thy life is the light of men4 ,amen4 ,,theodore ,,parker4 ,february #ba ,the longer on this earth we live ,and weigh the various qualities of men ,the more we feel the high1 stern-featured beauty ,of plain devotedness to duty1 ,steadfast and still1 nor paid with mortal praise1 ,but finding amplest recompense ,for life's ungarlanded expense ,in work done squarely and unwasted days4 ,,james ,,russell ,,lowell4 ,our dear ,heavenly ,father1 we would greet ,thee as this morning greets us4 ,we thank ,thee for the daily duty2 that1 amid this wondrous world1 ,thou hast set somewhat for our doing4 ,may we appreciate the honor4 ,may we not grudge our best1 even in the humblest tasks1 since ,thou appointest them4 ,strengthen us1 we beseech ,thee1 if sometimes the heart fails1 and the tired hands get laggard4 ,show us how the lowliest service becomes loftiest if done with the glorifying motive of pleasing ,thee4 ,make us this day blithe in duty4 ,when our heads find pillow may ,thy peace enfold us2 forgive our failures2 and1 for ,jesus' sake1 may we never cease endeavor4 ,amen4 ,,wayland ,,hoyt4 ,february #bb ,,george ,,washington4 ,,born #agcb4 ,welcome to the day returning1 ,dearer still as ages flow1 ,while the torch of faith is burning1 ,long as ,freedom's altars glow6 ,see the hero whom it gave us ,slumbering on a mother's breast2 ,for the arm he stretched to save us1 ,be its morn forever blest4 ,,oliver ,,wendell ,,holmes4 ,father of life1 we thank ,thee that ,thou hast been with the ,fathers2 that ,thou hast been with him whose birth this day we celebrate4 ,thou wert willing to speak to them1 and they were willing to hear ,thee and answer ,thee1 ,lo1 here am ,i2 send me4 ,we thank ,thee that the memory of this great man has come down to us2 of him who was first in war1 first in peace1 and first in the hearts of his countrymen2 and we ask ,thee that ,thou wilt be with our countrymen today2 that ,thou wilt teach us ,thy law1 that we may walk in ,thy ways2 that this may be that happy nation whose ,god is the ,lord4 ,in all time of our trial1 if we have sought ,thee we have found ,thee1--in all time of our success ,thou hast won for us our victories1--,thou hast been with our counsellors4 ,father1 today1 tomorrow1 and in days to come1 in our memories and in our hopes be with us still1 ,our ,father1 ,who art in ,heaven4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,,everett ,,hale4 ,february #bc ,if you always remember that in all you do in soul or body ,god stands by as a witness1 in all your prayers and your actions you will not err2 and you shall have ,god dwelling with you4 ,,epictetus4 ,faith acts on our souls as a moral tonic2 it takes the fret and fever out of our lives2 it gives the appetite and desire for noble living2 it removes despondency2 it gives energy1 courage1 hope1 patience1 and persistence2 and in its highest manifestations it makes our lives a blending of power1 sweetness1 and peace4 ,,james ,m4 ,,pullman4 ,father of spirits6 ,we yield ourselves to ,thee4 ,we will be afraid of neither sorrow nor death in a world where many saintly souls have sanctified them by a divine patience1 and amid a ,providence wherein no evil thing can dwell4 ,clinging unto ,thee1 we shall not perish with the fashion of this world that passeth away4 ,as sparks falling on the river1 so shall the glories of our strength go out4 ,but the graces of the holy soul shall be as the brightness of the firmament1 and as the stars forever and ever4 ,in ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 is our undying trust4 ,amen4 ,,james ,,martineau4 ,february #bd ,be of good cheer1 brave spirit2 steadfastly serve that low whisper thou hast served2 for know1 ,god hath a select family of sons now scattered wide thro' earth1 and each alone1 who are thy spiritual kindred1 and each one by constant service to that inward law1 is weaving the sublime proportions of a true monarch's soul4 ,beauty and strength1 the riches of a spotless memory1 the eloquence of truth1 the wisdom got by searching of a clear and loving eye that seeth as ,god seeth4 ,these are their gifts1 and time1 who keeps ,god's word1 brings on the day to seal the marriage of these minds with thine1 thy everlasting lovers4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,o ,thou1 who makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice1 help us to welcome this new day as ,thy gift1 to take up its duties with courage1 and to follow the light which ,thou shalt give4 ,conscious of the meaning and purpose of life1 undismayed by the failures of past days1 and ever remembering that ,thy strength is made perfect in human weakness1 may we consecrate ourselves anew to the glad service of life1 knowing that in so doing we enter into fellowship with all who have been workers together with ,thee1 and into increasing likeness of soul to ,thy holy ,son4 ,may the beauty of the ,lord our ,god be upon us1 and may life become stronger and sweeter and richer1 until at last we receive through grace the well done6 of the ,master4 ,amen4 ,,henry ,m4 ,,king4 ,february #be ,there is no music in a rest1 but there is the making of music in it4 ,in our whole life melody1 the music is broken off here and there by rests1 and we foolishly think we have come to the end of time4 ,god sends a time of forced leisure--sickness1 disappointed plans1 frustrated efforts--and makes a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives1 and we lament that our voices must be silent1 and our part missing in the music which ever goes up to the ear of the ,creator4 ,how does the musician read the rest8 ,see him beat time with unvarying count and catch up the next note true and steady1 as if no breaking place had come in between4 ,not without design does ,god write the music of our lives4 ,but be it ours to learn the time1 and not be dismayed at the rests4 ,they are not to be slurred over1 nor to be omitted1 nor to destroy the melody1 nor to change the key-note4 ,if we look up1 ,god ,himself will beat the time for us4 ,with the eye on ,him we shall strike the next note full and clear4 ,,john ,,ruskin4 ,o ,god1 help us to trust where we cannot see1 and to feel that life is not necessarily a failure because we are shut out from its activities4 ,grant us in sickness such visions and such communion with ,thee that disease of the body shall be transformed into a healer of the soul2 and1 as the crushed rose the sweeter fragrance emits1 so may our sorrows chasten and refine us4 ,o ,heavenly ,father1 grant that all our sickness and pain and disappointment may so sweeten our dispositions1 purify our character and strengthen our souls that we shall bring heaven's sunlight into the lives of all whom we meet4 ,amen4 ,,myron ,w4 ,,haynes4 ,february #bf ,love is the greatest thing that ,god can give us1 for ,himself is love2 and it is the greatest thing we can give to ,god1 for it will also give ourselves1 and carry with it all that is ours4 ,,jeremy ,,taylor4 ,high thoughts and noble in all lands ,help me1 my soul is fed by such2 ,but ah1 the touch of lips and hands1 ,the human touch6 ,warm1 vital1 close1 life's symbols dear1 ,these need ,i most and now and here4 ,,richard ,,burton4 ,our ,father in ,heaven1 we bless ,thee this morning for all ,thy care and love2 ,thou hast made our houses homes1 sweet1 quiet dwelling-places4 ,we thank ,thee for sleep1 for communion with one another in all holy and tender speech4 ,we thank ,thee for all our hopes2 the worlds are nearer than we thought1 heaven's fragrance attempers the winds of earth1 we almost hear the upper song3 may we listen for it1 may our souls delight in sweet anticipations of immortal fellowship1 and may we come out of these high reveries determined to work more1 suffer more patiently1 to accept every discipline more willingly1 and to do all our little day's work as men whose citizenship is in heaven4 ,amen4 ,,joseph ,,parker4 ,february #bg ,flame of the spirit1 and dust of the earth1-- ,this is the making of man1 ,this is his problem of birth2 ,born to all holiness1 born to all crime1 ,heir of both worlds1 on the long slope of time ,climbing the path of ,god's plan2 ,dust of the earth in his error and fear1 ,weakness and malice and lust2 ,yet1 quivering up from the dust1 ,flame of the spirit1 unleaping and clear1 ,yearning to ,god1 since from ,god is its birth-- ,this is man's portion1 to shape as he can1 ,flame of the spirit1 and dust of the earth-- ,this is the making of man4 ,,priscilla ,,leonard4 ,o ,god1 ,thou art the ,father of our spirits1 but our spirits have come to us through ways of flesh4 ,we are both spiritual and carnal4 ,our spirits seek ,thee evermore1 but our flesh turns away from ,thee and strives to drag us down4 ,between our best and our worst is bitter conflict4 ,help us to the discovery that all that lives is in like conflict1 and that there can be no virtue and no glory except in overcoming4 ,make us see that the spirit is stronger than the flesh because it is of ,god1 and that in the obedience and inspiration of ,jesus1 ,thy ,son and our ,brother1 we may at last be enthroned with ,him4 ,amen4 ,,cephas ,b4 ,,crane4 ,february #bh ,neither let mistakes nor wrong directions1 of which every man1 in his studies and elsewhere1 falls into many1 discourage you4 ,there is precious instruction to be got by finding we were wrong4 ,let a man try faithfully1 manfully1 to be right2 he will grow daily more and more right4 ,it is at bottom the condition on which all men have to cultivate themselves4 ,,thomas ,,carlyle4 ,almighty ,god1 our heavenly ,father1--in ,thine own loving way ,thou dost bless us when we do the right2 when we fall into mistakes so teach us by ,thy judgments that we become wise unto salvation4 ,help ,thy children to recognize their proneness to blunder1 that they learn to walk circumspectly4 ,when we fall into the wrong1 grant that we lie prone not long but arise undismayed to greater effort4 ,bring to bear upon us the influences of the ,holy ,spirit1 that we strive earnestly and devoutly to be right at the centre of our being2 that rightness be the fabric of our life4 ,to ,thee be all glory evermore4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,a4 ,,perry4 ,february #bi ,henceforth ,i learn that to obey is best1 ,and love with fear the only ,god1 to walk ,as in ,his presence1 ever to observe ,his providence1 and on ,him sole depend1 ,merciful over all ,his works1 with good ,still overcoming evil1 and by small ,accomplishing great things--by things deemed weak ,subverting worldly strong1 and worldly wise ,by simply meek1 that suffering for ,truth's sake ,is fortitude to highest victory1 ,and to the faithful death the gate of life-- ,taught this by ,his example whom ,i now ,acknowledge my ,redeemer ever blest4 ,,john ,,milton4 ,o ,thou ,eternal ,one before whom from day to day we walk and on whom we ever depend1 help us to-day to love whatever is good and beautiful and to follow obediently the behests of ,thy ,spirit4 ,may we overcome evil with good2 and may we accomplish whatever tasks the hours as they pass demand of us1 whether small or great1 with such strength as may be vouchsafed us and with a wisdom begotten of meekness4 ,if we must suffer for truth's sake may we manifest such humility and fortitude as shall be conducive to the highest success4 ,open for us hourly the gates of life1 as those who endeavor to be faithful to their high calling4 ,these favors we ask in the name of ,him who redeems our lives from all evil and crowns us daily with ,his loving kindness4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,,day4 ,march #a ,all the strength of the world and all its beauty1 all true joy1 everything that consoles1 that feeds hope1 or throws a ray of light along our dark paths1 everything that makes us see across our poor lives a splendid goal and a boundless future1 comes to us from people of simplicity1 those who have made another object of their desires than the passing satisfaction of selfishness and vanity1 and have understood that the art of living is to know how to give one's life4 ,,charles ,,wagner4 ,heavenly ,father1 help us to be like ,thyself1 as manifested in the person of ,jesus ,christ1 ,thy ,son6 ,it was ,his will to do the will of ,his ,father by living and dying for others4 ,teach us so to live4 ,help us to learn by positive personal experience that supremest joy comes only in ministering unto others4 ,teach us what ,jesus meant when ,he said3 ,i am among you as he that serveth4 ,plant deeply within us ,his passion for a life of service4 ,may our morning hours be gladdened and inspired by this divine purpose4 ,let ,thy holy will be done in us this day4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,,parkhurst4 ,march #b ,the year's at the spring ,and day's at the morn2 ,morning's at seven2 ,the hill-side's dew-pearled2 ,the lark's on the wing2 ,the snail's on the thorn2 ,god's in ,his heaven-- ,all's right with the world6 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,father in ,heaven1 refreshed and heartened by the night1 we begin again with ,thee the high adventure of our life4 ,add to the beauty of the world about us a finer spiritual beauty in our souls4 ,save us from our own undoing4 ,if our thoughts are dark1 shine in upon them with ,thy glory2 if they be bright1 make them to light the pathway of another4 ,have us wholesomely to forget ourselves1 in the joy of ,thy good world1 the promise of our imperfection and the trust in ,god that maketh not afraid4 ,and when the duties of the day are done1 dismiss us1 ,thy well-meaning children1 with a quiet mind to rest4 ,amen4 ,,albert ,,wellman ,,hitchcock4 ,march #c ,we will do something worth doing--that is the resolution for you and me4 ,,edward ,,everett ,,hale4 ,we admire the man who embodies victorious efforts1 the man who never wrongs his neighbor1 who is prompt to help a friend1 but who has those virile qualities necessary to win in the stern strife of actual life4 ,,theodore ,,roosevelt4 ,father of ,lights in whom is no darkness at all1 and in whose light we see light1 help us to clearly see and never forget that only right deeds are worthy of a child of ,thine4 ,may we in no moment forget that to yield to the wrong is to bring upon us ,thy just condemnation and sow for us a sure reaping of sorrowful repentance4 ,by doing the things we know to be right and worth doing1 the things worthy of our true selves and of our ,father and of our ,master whose we are1 may this day1 through us1 yield some benefit to other children of ,thine1 and bring to us the sweet reward of ,thine approval4 ,amen4 ,,oscar ,f4 ,,safford4 ,march #d ,it is worth a thousand pounds a year to have the habit of looking on the bright side of things4 ,,samuel ,,johnson4 ,not by appointment do we meet delight and joy2 ,they wait not our expectancy2 ,but round some corner in the street of life1 ,they1 on a sudden1 greet us with a smile4 ,,gerald ,,massey4 ,our ,father1 at the beginning of a new day1 refreshed by the night's rest1 we turn to ,thee for strength for the day's task4 ,we know not what the hours hold for us1 but this we do know1 that come what may1 ,thou wilt go with us to bless1 to cheer2 we shall not walk or work alone4 ,as we faithfully and cheerfully perform our work1 conscious of ,thy presence1 there will come joys and smiles unexpected and unsought4 ,this is ,thy way of teaching us faithfulness and endurance4 ,may we soon learn1 that if we would make the day happy and worth while1 we must not seek our own pleasure and good1 but that of our brethren4 ,may we so live that when the night shadows are again upon us1 there shall be no cause for shame or regret4 ,in the ,master's spirit6 ,amen4 ,o4 ,,howard ,,perkins4 ,march #e ,not in dumb resignation we lift our hands on high2 ,not like the nerveless fatalist1 content to do and die4 ,our faith springs1 like the eagle's1 who soars to meet the sun1 ,and cries exulting unto ,thee1 ,oh1 ,lord1 ,thy will be done4 ,thy will6 ,it bids the weak be strong2 it bids the strong be just2 ,no lips to fawn1 no hand to beg1 no brow to seek the dust1 ,wherever man oppresses men beneath the liberal sun1 ,o ,lord1 be there1 ,thine arm made bare1 ,thy righteous will be done4 ,,john ,,hay4 ,it is with the beautiful assurance of ,thy love and kindness1 our ,father1 that we draw nigh unto ,thee4 ,it is ,faith that seems to give us wings by which we rise above the darkness1 into ,thy ,presence of light and love4 ,we feel our divine relationship to ,thee1 so that we lift up our hands to ,thee1 as the child to the parent4 ,we are content to do ,thy will1 because we know then just what it is to love ,thee4 ,our ,master taught us this great lesson by ,his own faith in ,thee4 ,to do ,thy will means strength to the weak1 hope to the hopeless4 ,to the sorrowing there can be seen1 beyond the tear1 the rainbow of ,thy promise4 ,thus1 as we realize our sonship will we work to make all men feel their own power1 and all become one in ,thy great love4 ,may ,thy ,kingdom come and ,thy will be done1 in ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,e4 ,,fisher4 ,march #f ,if you are my friend you cannot be indifferent to my faults of character1 any more than you can be indifferent to my sickness or suffering4 ,but1 if you care to help me cure these faults1 please let them alone6 ,please make much of my good qualities if you can discover any4 ,and especially bless me with the encouraging sight of a better man than myself1 and cheer me with a high example4 ,i know that there are times when a sharp or gentle rebuke is in order1 and that faithful are the wounds of a friend4 ,but the wiser doctors have lost their faith in blood-letting2 and they know that clumsy surgery kills more than it cures4 ,,charles ,g4 ,,ames4 ,in our prayer1 our ,heavenly ,father1 we desire to be consciously grateful for the opportunities this new day affords us of being helpful to each other4 ,the inspiration so to act comes from ,thee4 ,thou art the constant and never-failing ,helper of ,thy children4 ,may we be mindful of the fact that our noblest service to another may not be an alms1 but a look of encouragement1 a word of cheer4 ,enable us to be not too sensible of others' faults and failings4 ,assist us to see and magnify the good in other lives4 ,to this end may we be to others such examples in conduct and character as we would have them be to us4 ,we offer and ask all in the spirit of ,jesus4 ,amen4 ,,leroy ,w4 ,,coons4 ,march #g ,the mariner of old said to ,neptune in a great tempest1 ,o ,god6 ,thou mayest save me if ,thou wilt1 and if ,thou wilt ,thou mayest destroy me1 but whether or no1 ,i will steer my rudder true4 ,,montaigne4 ,i go to prove my soul ,i see my way as birds their trackless way4 ,i shall arrive6 what time1 what circuit first1 ,i ask not2 but unless ,god send ,his hail ,or blinding fire-balls1 sleet or stifling snow1 ,in some time1 ,his good time1 ,i shall arrive2 ,he guides me and the bird4 ,in ,his good time6 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,once more we face the day that can be dreadful only to our poor sight and trembling faith4 ,for ,thou hast made flame and pain1 the hurricane and quaking earth to be ,thy ministers of grace4 ,shall trust depart when shadows fall8 ,thou art in the shadow keeping watch above ,thine own4 ,as truly in severity as in gentleness1 ,thou art the ,all-,loving and ,all-,wise4 ,shall we fear to go anywhere8 ,lord1 ,thou art everywhere6 ,defend us only from the blindness and fear of ignorance and sin4 ,draw us nearer to ,thee1 this day1 by any means in ,thy good pleasure1 so that at last1 truly knowing ,thy way1 we shall rise above the worst that circumstances may do into joy unspeakable and peace unbroken4 ,in the name of ,him made perfect through suffering4 ,amen4 ,,henry ,b4 ,,taylor4 ,march #h ,we complain of the slow1 dull life we are forced to lead1 of our humble sphere of action1 of our low position in the scale of society1 of our having no room to make ourselves known1 of our wasted energies1 of our years of patience4 ,so do we say that we have no ,father who is directing our life1 so do we say that ,god has forgotten us1 so do we boldly judge what life is best for us1 and so by our complaining do we lose the use and profit of the quiet years4 ,,bishop ,,huntington4 ,infinite and ,holy ,one1 by the tender mercies of ,thy great love show us this day the true life that is hid in ,thee4 ,feed us with ,thy spirit that we hunger not4 ,make us strong and merciful in ,thee4 ,help us to be simple1 brave1 and true4 ,give us to speak and live the truth4 ,make us content with life while ever dreaming of the more perfect day4 ,fix our lives in a great and brave integrity4 ,humble us in our pride1 lift us from our despondency4 ,keep our hearts pure and our lips from speaking guile4 ,send us forth in perfect faith that here and now our lives may be patterned after that of ,jesus without loss of influence over men4 ,make us not ashamed to be good and forgiving and gentle in all our ways4 ,amen4 ,,frederick ,w4 ,,bette4 ,march #i ,count each affliction1 whether light or grave1 ,god's messenger sent down to thee2 do thou ,with courtesy receive him2 rise and bow2 ,and1 ere his shadow pass thy threshold1 crave ,permission first his heavenly foot to lave4 99 99 99 99 99 ,grief should be ,like joy1 majestic1 equable1 sedate1 ,confirming1 cleansing1 raising1 making free4 ,strong to consume small troubles2 to commend ,great thoughts1 grave thoughts1 thoughts lasting to the end4 ,,aubrey ,,devere4 ,our ,father1 we would learn to trust ,thy love1 to live so that ,thy grace shall have in us its perfect work4 ,not the easy thing is what we ask1 but strength for duty4 ,give us the confidence that ,thou art by our side4 ,let ,thy strong touch be felt1 ,thy blessed presence seen4 ,in all the turmoil that rages within1 without1 grant us ,thy peace4 ,in childish helplessness1 grant us the ,father's help4 ,to grow like ,jesus is our heart's desire4 ,all things that ,thy great heart permits or sends1 we would receive with gratitude1 that so our wills and lives may be in harmony with ,thine4 ,and so day by day may something of the ,saviour's glory shine through us and bless and brighten other lives in need4 ,amen4 ,,frank ,m4 ,,holt4 ,march #aj ,dawn and its silence draw a silver sigh ,far in the east where early shadows lie ,all flocked and folded like soft peaceful sheep4 ,the spirit of the spring stirs in its sleep1 ,breathes into life a misty floating sheen2 ,the willows dreamy drip of constant green2 ,exultant beats a bird-heart o'er a nest1 ,where dim1 vague stirrings 'neath the tiny breast ,spell fresh the miracle of motherhood4 ,ah1 how the world is young6 ah1 how 'tis good6 ,to feel the new life flutter mystic wing2 ,like to a lark to feel one's soul upspring1 ,transpierce the very limit of the sky1 ,and toss its challenge to ,eternity6 ,,mary ,,baldwin4 ,o ,god1 our heavenly ,father1 make our hearts exultant1 as the earth in the spring morning1 with the radiance of ,thy ,presence4 ,fill them with the joy and hopefulness of eternal youth1 and cause them to be uplifted in gratitude and thankfulness to ,thee4 ,we have seen earthly faces so beaming with the light of love that we never shall forget them4 ,we have spoken names that are so endeared to us that they will linger in our memory as long as we live4 ,so1 ,o ,father1 may it be with ,thy face and ,thy name4 ,may ,thy face beaming upon us as the sun of righteousness win our love to holiness and virtue1 making us fruitful of good works1 and ,thy name be so woven in our affections that we shall cherish and hallow it forever4 ,amen4 ,,edgar ,w4 ,,preble4 ,march #aa ,you must be serving something1 some one1 that needs your help in order to really appreciate the ,divine care4 ,it may be the parents' care of their children2 the teacher and her scholars2 the charity-worker and the poor1 the friendless1 the benighted2 it may be friend helping friend--in some way the life of loving service must be there as something out of which ,god can help us think of and value the care which infinite love bestows upon us4 ,,julian ,k4 ,,smyth4 ,heavenly ,father1 with the opening of a new day we thank ,thee for father love and mother love1 for love of patriot and philanthropist1 and for the love which that has called into being in our own hearts4 ,through this love and the service of mutual helpfulness to which we have been led thereby1 ,thou openest our eyes to behold the world pervaded and overruled by a spirit of infinite goodness1 society resting upon mutual services1 and through that service mankind rising to a nobler and diviner civilization4 ,help us to be mindful of this heavenly vision1 and so make our feet swift to run and our hands eager to work in the service of righteousness and mutual helpfulness4 ,we ask in ,his name1 who loving us1 has taught us the divinity of service4 ,amen4 ,,legrand ,,powers4 ,march #ab ,far better is it to dare mighty things1 to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure1 than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat4 ,,theodore ,,roosevelt4 ,but only he whose judgment never strays ,beyond the threshold of the right1 learns this-- ,not always is it good to have one's wish2 ,what seemeth sweet full oft to bitter turns2 ,fulfilled desire hath made mine eyes to weep4 ,therefore1 ,o reader of these lines1 if thou ,would'st virtuous be1 and held by others dear ,will ever for the power to do aright4 ,,leonardo ,,da ,,vinci4 ,god of the morning light1 with the dawn of another day we come to ,thee with prayer for help in the steadfastness of our manifold duties4 ,the cares that oppress us1 the burdens we carry1 the obligations that fall upon us1 are too much for our little strength without ,thy help4 ,that help we crave from ,thee1 the only source of all-availing strength4 ,let us not be dismayed by the powers of this world or busy ourselves in vain ambitions seeking the praise of men1 but may we seek that ,divine approval which is of more worth than all the favors of earth4 ,make us brave and strong to follow in the way of ,thine appointment1 and grant that we may so sincerely feel and act in the busy times of this day that when the evening comes no wasted hours may be laid to our charge4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,m4 ,,barney4 ,march #ac ,you are in ,god's world2 you are ,god's child4 ,those things you cannot change2 the only peace and rest and happiness for you is to accept them and rejoice in them4 ,when ,god speaks to you1 you must not believe that it is the wind blowing or the torrent falling from the hill4 ,you must know that it is ,god4 ,you must gather up the whole power of meeting ,him4 ,you must be thankful that life is great and not little4 ,you must listen as if listening were your life4 ,and then1 then only can come peace4 ,all other sounds will be caught up into the prevailing richness of that voice of ,god4 ,the lost proportions will be perfectly restored4 ,discord will cease2 harmony will be complete4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,almighty ,god6 ,we thank ,thee for the peace and comfort of the night2 for the new day and all the hope and peace and promise that it brings to us4 ,help us that with glad faces and joyous hearts we may take up its every privilege and duty1 doing1 in the spirit of the ,master every good and helpful thing our hands find to do4 ,and when the evening shall have come may we look back on a day of plenty1 service1 and peace1 retiring to our rest with songs in our hearts and thanksgiving on our lips because ,thy blessings have been on this1 as on all other days new every morning and fresh every evening4 ,amen4 ,,george ,,mayo ,,gerrish4 ,march #ad ,it is the first mild day of ,march3 ,each minute sweeter than before1 ,the red-breast sings from the tall larch ,that stands beside our door4 ,there is a blessing in the air1 ,which seems a sense of joy to yield1 ,to the bare trees and mountain bare1 ,and grass in the green field4 ,,william ,,wordsworth4 ,our ,father1 we wake each morning refreshed and thankful for the joy of living2 for the air we breathe1 the things we see1 the sounds of nature's sweetest harmonies and all the beauty which surrounds our earthly life4 ,may the wonders of the earth speak to us in witness of ,thy love4 ,let springing-grass and opening flower remind us of the new life which is ours through the resurrection of our ,lord4 ,his blessing like the light of the sun runs everywhere1 carrying with it morning and hope1 springtime and gladness4 ,the joy is in the song of the birds1 the murmur of the waters1 the children's laughter and the song of happy hearts4 ,attune our hearts to notes of praise and make us glad upon the earth until ,thou bringest us to perfect and unshadowed joys where we shall see ,thee as ,thou art and be like ,thee4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,w4 ,,stephan4 ,march #ae ,as to equality and inequality1 all the beauty and glory of life come from inequalities4 ,if we were all ,beethovens or ,shakespeares or marvelous in any one direction1 life would be unbearable4 ,who shall tell me if an ,easter lily is the equal of a rose1 or if either is equal to an oak or a pine8 ,the question of equality is out of the court4 ,the one thing we need to do is to cultivate the finest and sweetest things in us2 and then1 whether we are one of the ,california big trees or the violet in a valley1 we shall help on the beauty and glory of the earth4 ,,robert ,,collyer4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for the manifold beauties of ,thy universe1 the revelations of ,thyself to ,thy children4 ,for those large wonders which stir men's minds and rouse their souls to awe1 we thank ,thee1 but not less for the little things of life1 filling their places well1 and showing daily to the seeing eye that without them ,thy universe could not be complete4 ,help us to grasp the lesson that they teach4 ,if ,thou hast given to us the great place1 we thank ,thee1 but we thank ,thee not less for the homely task1 the humble duty1 for it is all necessary to ,thy plan4 ,help us1 day by day1 with stronger purpose1 larger consecration1 to fill our place1 to do ,thy will1 in ,his name4 ,amen4 ,,george ,f4 ,,fortier4 ,march #af ,there must be a way of taking worry rightly1 so that it shall do us good and not harm4 ,worry1 rightly taken1 should train to quietness1 humility1 patience1 gentleness1 sympathy4 ,it ought not to eventuate 7though it naturally does7 in making others suffer because we are uncomfortable2 in making us a source of painful worry to others because we are worried ourselves4 ,a4 ,h4 ,k4 ,,boyd4 ,father of ,love1 ,thy blessing it is which gives us another day4 ,help us to put before its cares the spirit that will banish care1 to find in its beginning the power that will make labors happy and its ending sweet1 and so to open our hearts to ,thy light that no gloom of night shall linger round our way4 ,if heaviness there be in ours or others' lives may every wholesome cheer make it less sore4 ,if remembered faults and follies quench a better hope1 send ,thy patience and ,thy will to be our courage and fresh resolve4 ,through all the noisy world may the secret music of ,thy law swell in our breasts and every step keep time with its glorious march4 ,amen4 ,,john ,,day4 ,march #ag ,therefore to whom turn ,i but to ,thee1 the ineffable ,name8 ,builder and maker1 ,thou1 of houses not made with hands6 ,what1 have fear of change from ,thee who art ever the same6 ,doubt that ,thy power can fill the heart that ,thy power expands6 ,there shall never be one lost good6 ,what was1 shall live as before2 ,the evil is null1 is nought1 is silence implying sound2 ,what was good1 shall be good1 with1 for evil1 so much good more2 ,on the earth the broken arcs2 in the heaven1 a perfect round4 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o ,god1 that each morning brings us fresh assurance of ,thy wisdom and goodness--that the days have taught us to believe in ,thee and to trust ,thee as our perfect ,friend4 ,we are glad that we can face the day in the faith that ,thou art sufficient to the needs of the day--to all the needs of all ,thy children4 ,in this trust1 we beseech ,thee1 make us more and more to rejoice in life and its high privileges4 ,help us to go on our way with gladness and peace in our hearts--to worship ,thee hourly by honest work1 by faithful service1 by kind words1 by helpful deeds1 and so1 to find life good by doing something to make it good4 ,amen4 ,,flint ,m4 ,,bissell4 ,march #ah ,if ,i were you1 she said1 ,i should not worry4 ,just make up your mind to do better when you get another chance4 ,one can't do more than that4 ,that is what ,i shall think of3 that ,god will give each of us another chance1 and that each one of us will take it and do better--,i and you and everyone4 ,so there is no need to fret over failure1 when one hopes one may be allowed to redeem that failure later on4 ,besides which life is very hard4 ,why1 we ourselves recognize that4 ,if there be a ,god1 some intelligence greater than human intelligence1 ,he will understand better than ourselves that life is very hard and difficult1 and ,he will be astonished not because we are not better1 but because we are not worse4 ,at least1 that would be my notion of a ,god4 ,i should not worry if ,i were you4 ,just make up your mind to do better if you get the chance and be content with that4 ,,beatrice ,,harraden4 ,o ,lord1 how often we have failed--how weak and frail we are--we have groped and stumbled along the pathway of life and have been defeated over and over again4 ,yet in the light of ,thy providence and ,thy love in spite of all defeats1 we take heart and face the day with hope4 ,in ,thine economy no failure is ever final--we rejoice that ,thou openest before us another opportunity4 ,let us be brave and earnest to seize the opportunities of these passing hours4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,march #ai ,to every life there comes a time supreme3 ,one day1 one night1 one morning1 or one noon1 ,one freighted hour--one moment opportune1 ,one rift through which sublime fulfilments gleam2 ,one time when fate goes tiding with the stream1 ,one ,once in balance 'twixt ,too ,late1 ,too ,soon-- ,and ready for the passing instant's boon ,that shall in favor tip the wavering beam4 ,ah6 happy he who1 knowing how to wait1 ,knows also how to watch and how to stand ,on life's broad deck alert1 and at the prow1 ,to seize the happy moment big with fate ,from ,opportunity's extended hand ,when the great clock of ,destiny strikes ,now6 ,,mary ,,ashley ,,townsend4 ,our heavenly ,father6 ,thou art the ,author of all our days1 and all our times and seasons are hid in the unfolding mystery of ,thy ,thought and ,purpose4 ,it is not given to us to know what a day or an hour may bring forth1 but the opportune moments come1 ways are opened before us to larger life and usefulness and privilege and duty4 ,may we1 by faithfulness1 and watchfulness1 and the readiness of those on duty1 be prepared for each divinely offered opportunity4 ,surrounded by blessings1 may we live to bless4 ,ministered unto1 may we minister4 ,grateful to ,thee1 may we show our gratitude by service4 ,in ,thy name1 ,amen4 ,,dwight ,m4 ,,hodge4 ,march #bj ,put out of your thought the past whatever it may be2 let go even the future with its golden dream and its high ideal2 and concentrate your soul in this burning1 present moment4 ,for the man who is true to the present is true to his best2 and the soul that wins the ground immediately before it1 makes life a triumph4 ,,ozora ,,stearns ,,davis4 ,almighty ,giver of every good1 we come to ,thee amid the joys of a new morning1 with its new blessings and opportunities4 ,we would dedicate this day to ,thy service4 ,we would forget the past and waste not our time in idle dreaming of to-morrow1 but with consecrated zeal we would apply ourselves to the tasks ,thou hast appointed us for this present hour4 ,thy hand is ever opened to let down the tokens of ,thy love4 ,may all that is best within us rise up in answer1 and may we be dedicated anew to our upbuilding in righteousness and the fulfilment of our duties to one another4 ,may we this day follow the footsteps of the ,christ and prove ourselves ,his faithful disciples6 ,amen4 ,r4 ,,perry ,,bush4 ,march #ba ,i believe that today is better than yesterday1 and that tomorrow will be better than today4 ,,george ,f4 ,,hoar4 ,make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts1 bright fancies1 faithful sayings2 treasure-houses of precious and restful thoughts1 which care cannot disturb nor poverty take away from you1--houses built without hands for your souls to live in4 ,,john ,,ruskin4 ,dear ,father in heaven1 around ,thy name cluster the most sacred and holy affections4 ,thy name1 indeed1 is above every name infinite in love1 and awakening in each heart a sense of filial gratitude4 ,at this morning hour1 therefore1 we are mindful of the tie that binds us to ,thee1 that provides a nesting-place for pleasant and restful thoughts1 that makes duty less irksome1 home-love more tender1 sacrifice more willing1 and character more noble4 ,in this spirit we pray ,thee1 ,o ,father1 send us forth to the labor which awaits us1 only to realize1 under ,thy ,providence1 that this is the best day of our life1 and full of assurance and rejoicing for a still better tomorrow4 ,in the light of faith1 hope and love do we ask and offer all4 ,amen4 ,,wilburn ,d4 ,,potter4 ,march #bb ,scarce tangible may be the first glad sign1 ,yet how it shakes us with a vernal thrill6 ,the voice of the south wind behind the hill2 ,or an elusive bird-note faint and fine2 ,a flush at dawn along the wan sky-line2 ,a lyrical exuberance in the rill2 ,a something working its mysterious will ,both in majestic hole and tenuous vine6 ,it is the vernal spirit4 ,in the earth ,it throbs and pulses2 quickens in the air2 ,and permeates all nature thro' and thro'4 ,in the expectant poignancy of birth ,what raptures1 what rare ecstasies we share-- ,old1--ah1 how old6--and yet forever new6 ,,clinton ,,scollard4 ,o ,god1 how good ,thou art6 ,all ,thy works praise ,thee4 ,the world is filled with ,thy glory4 ,this dawning ,springtime brings ,thee very near every responsive heart4 ,thou art the fountain of life4 ,we see ,thee in bursting bud and incipient bloom4 ,we hear ,thee in the rapture of birds and in the new-found gladness of sun-kissed rivulets4 ,may we1 the children of ,thy love1 be new born into a deeper spirituality1--a richer life6 ,may the beauty of the ,spirit breathing through our hearts call forth the latent goodness that slumbers there6 ,speak through us the music of ,thy love4 ,perfume us with the odors of ,thy heavenly grace1 and may we walk this day in tune with ,thee6 ,amen4 ,,joseph ,,cooper4 ,march #bc ,work is the grand cure of all the maladies and miseries that ever beset mankind--honest work1 which you intend getting done4 ,,thomas ,,carlyle4 ,thank ,god every morning when you get up that you have something to do which must be done whether you like it or not4 ,being forced to work and forced to do your best will breed in you temperance1 self-control1 diligence1 strength of will1 content and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know4 ,,charles ,,kingsley4 ,kind ,father and ,friend1 ,thy presence has watched over us all our days and has been a comfort in all our labors4 ,we thank ,thee for ,thy unwearied watching over us4 ,may we at the dawn of this new day1 come to our tasks with thanks in our hearts and a song on our lips4 ,may all life's stern duties and its perplexities get grace and beauty from our hallowed thoughts and sanctified resolves4 ,we would ask that ,thy free spirit be with us this day to give us hope and joy in our several tasks4 ,may the sweet peace of mind of those who learn to labor and to wait crown all our efforts4 ,dear ,father1 forgive our failures and keep us ever ,thine4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,e4 ,,petty4 ,march #bd ,ah1 the mis-takings and the mis-leavings2 and all the ignorant beginning1 when we can only lay up things for late wisdom to repent of6 ,nothing really bad can ever happen4444 ,i've meant right1--and ,i mean right now4 ,i'll do the best ,i can1 and the ,lord will take care of everybody4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,lord1 ,thou comest to us with light and life1 forgive us for coming to ,thee as aliens and beggars2 daily ,thou art our refuge and strength1 and this should subtract our fear and multiply our confidence1 comfort and consecration4 ,our needs are ,thy opportunity2 we have more sunshine than we can use1 more love than we can repay and more revelation than we can translate4 ,o may this satisfy us early and strengthen us through all our days4 ,alone we are very weak1 but we are never alone2 all of life is a company affair1 for ,thou art with us2 help us to be as truly ,thy children as ,thou art our ,father and ,mother4 ,through our thinking1 working and waiting may men see ,thee and glorify ,thee4 ,o teach us to abide ever in ,thy love1 and help us to work some helpful miracle by the gates of need1 and to see the rainbow of prophecy through earth's tears and over its years4 ,amen4 ,,alan ,r4 ,,tillinghast4 ,march #be ',tis the fine souls who serve us1 and not what is called fine society4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,we find what we look for in the world4 ,i have always been looking for the nobler qualities in human beings1 and ,i have always found them4 ,there are great souls all along the highway of life1 and there are great qualities even in the people who seem common and weak to us ordinarily4 ,,ella ,,wheeler ,,wilcox4 ,gracious ,father1 we thank ,thee for the power ,thou hast given us to labor for our own and others' advancement and happiness4 ,as we begin this new day we trust in ,thy bounty and would draw on ,thy strength to sustain us in our toil4 ,we thank ,thee for the brave souls in every walk of life who have set us an example worthy to be followed4 ,many have been or are notable in the world for their fortitude1 honor and achievements2 many others have been known to us but have been unheralded by men1 and from all these we have ourselves been made more capable and faithful4 ,by ,thy grace may we be aided in emulating the good we see in others1 and be able to make the world a little brighter because of ,thy gift to us of this day4 ,amen4 ,,frank ,s4 ,,rice4 ,march #bf ,an old1 worn ,harp that had been played ,till all its strings were loose and frayed1 ,joy1 ,hate1 and ,fear1 each one1 assayed ,to play4 ,but each in turn had found ,no sweet responsiveness of sound4 ,then ,love the ,master-player came ,with heaving breast and eyes aflame2 ,the ,harp he took all undismayed1 ,smote on its strings1 still strange to song1 ,and brought forth music sweet and strong4 ,,paul ,,laurence ,,dunbar4 ,heavenly ,father1 ,i pray ,thee that ,thou wilt help me to love to-day4 ,thou art ,love and if ,thou shalt fill my life there will be no room for hate and no room for fear1 for ,perfect ,love casteth out fear4 ,as the ,master stilled the waves in ,galilee1 so speak ,thou peace to my soul1 and bid all discord cease1 that my whole life may be in tune with heaven1 and may be one happy song4 ,love alone can bring harmony out of discord1 love out of hate1 trust out of fear1 and music out of a worn-out1 or a long unused or misused life4 ,so let ,love control the whole of my life for ,jesus' sake4 ,amen4 ,b4 ,l4 ,,jennings4 ,march #bg ,no stream from its source ,flows seaward1 how lonely soever its course1 ,but some land is gladdened4 ,no star ever rose ,or set without influence somewhere4 ,who knows ,what earth needs from earth's lowliest creature8 ,no life ,can be pure in its purpose and strong in its strife1 ,and all life not be purer and stronger thereby4 ,,owen ,,meredith4 ,if ,i am this day to touch other lives helpfully so that they may be gladdened and strengthened for truer and nobler living1 ,i shall need1 my ,father1 not only a clear perception of myself in relation to that to which ,thou dost call me1 but also a clear vision of the ,christ who would be felt through me1 not only the impulse of a strong purpose but also the endowment of power by ,thy spirit of power4 ,that this may be1 do ,thou test my purpose by that of ,thy son and fashion my life by ,his teaching1 keeping my heart open always toward ,thee4 ,amen4 ,f4 ,h4 ,,wheeler4 ,march #bh ,i but open my eyes1--and perfection1 no more and no less1 ,in the kind ,i imagined1 full-fronts me1 and ,god is seen ,god1 ,in the star1 in the stone1 in the flesh1 in the soul and the clod4 ,and thus looking within and around me1 ,i ever renew 7,with that stoop of the soul which in bending upraises it too7 ,the submission of man's nothing-perfect to ,god's all-complete1 ,and by each new obeisance in spirit1 ,i climb to ,his feet4 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,thou ,infinite ,spirit1 we cannot understand ,thee1 yet we feel ,thy presence within us and about us4 ,we cannot unravel the mystery of ,thy life1 not even of our own lives1 yet we feel ourselves linked as by chains of steel to ,thyself4 ,we are poor and ignorant and little and finite2 ,thou art great and strong and infinite1 yet we cling to the thought that we are ,thy children4 ,even in ,thine infinity ,thou stoopest to listen to us4 ,thou carest for us1 lovest us4 ,o ,thou ,father of our ,souls1 may we cling to ,thee to-day and every day4 ,we do not ask ,thee to explain ,thyself1 but we do ask that in storm and sunshine1 in adversity and in prosperity1 and in every emergency we may keep our anchorage to ,thee unbroken1 and feel ,thy presence with us4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,march #bi ,i wonder why it is that we are not all kinder to each other than we are4 ,how much the world needs it6 ,how easily it is done6 ,,henry ,,drummond4 ,let us awaken to the divine privilege of sharing the heartaches of our friends2 of the meaning of good fellowship2 of that independence of spirit that does not imitate2 of courage and pride that can endure adversity with dignity1 and without fear4 ,,anonymous4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 help us through this new day to allow the impulses of our hearts to have fullest play4 ,help us to help each other1 ,lord1 and of whatever grace or influence we have to bless and uplift our fellowmen to give generously and gladly4 ,help us scatter sunshine along our pathway1 to speak the cheering word to discouraged hearts and to lend the helping hand to feeble or halting ones along the way4 ,may we find our greatest happiness following in the footsteps of our ,master1 humbly serving our neighbor's needs1 and doing good even at every wayside opportunity4 ,amen4 ,,james ,f4 ,,albion4 ,march #cj ,once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide1 ,in the strife of ,truth with ,falsehood1 for the good or evil side2 ,some great cause1 ,god's new ,messiah1 offering each the bloom or blight1 ,parts the goats upon the left hand1 and the sheep upon the right1 ,and the choice goes by forever 'twixt that darkness and that light4 ,,james ,,russell ,,lowell4 ,almighty ,father1 we are before ,thee1 asking for strength this day1 that for today's duty we may have the help of ,thy ,infinite wisdom1 as we know we have ,thy love1 ,our ,father with ,his ,children4 ,father1 help us to look to ,thee for strength and wisdom in every moment of doubt4 ,we are not afraid1 because we can come to ,thee for counsel1 and companionship4 ,we can come to ,thee for everything1 and we find everything if we seek for it with all our heart and soul and strength4 ,so today1 ,father1 be with us to show each one of us here1 the youngest or the oldest1 the weakest or the strongest1 what is the duty next his hand today1 that we may enter into that work and go about our ,father's business4 ,go with us and be with us as with ,thine own children4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,,everett ,,hale4 ,march #ca ,i long to accomplish great and noble tasks1 but it is my duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble4 ,,helen ,,keller4 ,it is a fine notion of life to liken it to the loom4 ,god puts on the warp in those circumstances in which we find ourselves1 and which we cannot change4 ,the woof is wrought by the shuttle of everyday life4 ,it is made of very homely threads sometimes1 common duties1 unpromising and unwelcome tasks4 ,but whoever tries to do each day's work in the spirit of patient loyalty to ,god is weaving the texture whose other side is fairer than the one he sees4 ,,anonymous4 ,our ,father in heaven1 grant that we may be faithful in that which is least1 leaving to ,thy will whether we have the opportunity of being faithful in much4 ,may we understand that the value of our service is not so much in what we do as the spirit in which we do it4 ,help us to remember that no service is common in ,thy sight1 if it is done for ,thy glory and the betterment of humanity2 that in blessing others1 we ourselves are blessed2 that life is mostly made up of little things1 but a character which is perfected by ,thy grace and humble service is not a little thing1 but a jewel to shine in ,thy crown forever4 ,amen4 ,e4 ,t4 ,,curnick4 ,april #a ,april is here6 ,there's a song in the maple1 thrilling and new2 ,there's a flash of wings of heaven's own hue2 ,there's a veil of green on the nearer hills2 ,there's a burst of rapture in woodland rills2 ,there are stars in the meadow dropped here and there2 ,there's a breath of arbutus in the air2 ,there's a dash of rain1 as if flung in jest2 ,there's an arch of color spanning the west2 ,april is here6 ,,eben ,e4 ,,rexford4 ,o ,god1 ever-living and ever-acting1 all ,thy works praise ,thee1 and ,thy saints bless ,thee6 ,we rejoice that ,thou art bringing in this new springtime1 and art preparing to pour out ,thy summer glory and bounty in garden and field and wood1 that ,thy children may be richly blessed4 ,as ,thou art working mightily in nature today so wilt ,thou work in us1 ,thy children1 that the blessed fruits of the ,spirit may appear in all that we think and do and are8 ,and may the spontaneous spring song of the woods find its counterpart in the perpetual gladness of our souls sunk deep in the love of ,christ6 ,amen4 ,,henry ,,irving ,,cushman4 ,april #b ,the sweetest sound our whole year round ',tis the first robin of the spring6 ,the song of the full orchard choir1 ,is not so fine a thing4 ,,edmund ,,clarence ,,stedman4 ,the grass comes1 the flower laughs where lately lay the snow1 ,o'er the breezy hill top hoarsely calls the crow1 ,by the flowing river the alder catkins swing ,and the sweet song sparrow cries1 ,spring1 it is ,spring6 ,,celia ,,thaxter4 ,accept from a heart of gratitude1 ,o ,god1 thanksgiving and praises for the glad anticipation of the coming days of spring4 ,may the awakening of nature1 this living garment in which ,thou hast robed ,thy mysterious loveliness1 be to each of ,thy children symbol of the new life which comes to those who put their trust in the risen ,christ and of the higher life beyond where shadows are no more and light and gladness bless an eternity of joy4 ,o1 ,thou ,father of lights1 make every hour of this opening day rich and radiant with ,thy effulgent presence through ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,kerr ,,boyce ,,tupper4 ,april #c ,within my earthly temple there's a crowd2 ,there's one of us that's humble1 one that's proud1 ,there's one that's broken-hearted for his sins1 ,there's one that unrepentant sits and grins2 ,there's one that loves his neighbor as himself1 ,and one that cares for naught but fame and pelf4 ,from much corroding care ,i should be free ,if ,i could once determine which is me4 ,,theodore ,,martin4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for our multiform life4 ,thou hast made us a little lower than the angels and hast crowned us with glory and honor1 yet how little we know ourselves6 ,we go astray2 we fall from our high estate2 like the moth we flutter around the blaze that burns us4 ,when we would do good1 evil is present with us4 ,yet through all complexity of thought and feeling1 of passion and appetite1 through all our wanderings and all our sins we thank ,thee that there shines clearly the light of our own ,divinity4 ,we are ,thy children4 ,help us1 we pray ,thee1 to know ourselves at our best4 ,may we not be betrayed in this day's journey by any siren voice4 ,let us go forth to the tasks of the day with the consciousness that until the evening shadows fall ,thou wilt be with us4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,april #d ,if we but knew the secret of that power ,that opes the bud in early days of spring1 ,if we but knew what makes the robin sing ,his wondrous song just at the matin hour1 ,if we but knew the priceless boon and dower ,of human life when man is truly king4 ,if we but understood the little thing ,that vexes us just at the present hour1 ,if we but knew--ah1 well1 'tis vain to sigh ,and speculate on things beyond our ken6 ,we know that earth is fair and life is sweet1 ,and something tells us that we cannot die4 ,and if we live and love the good1 ah6 then ,we face to face with truth some day must meet4 ,,clarence ,,hawkes4 ,o ,lord1 we thank ,thee for a day so sweet and fair as this1 when the trees lift up their hands in a psalm of gratitude to ,thee1 and every little flower that opens its cup and every wandering bird seem filled by ,thy spirit1 and grateful to ,thee4 ,we thank ,thee for all thine handwritings of revelation on the walls of the world1 on the heavens above us and the ground beneath1 and all the testimonies recorded there of ,thy presence1 ,thy power1 ,thy justice1 and ,thy love4 ,amen4 ,,theodore ,,parker4 ,april #e ,yet we must give the children leave to use ,our garden tools1 though they spoil tool and plant ,in learning4 ,so the ,master may not scorn ,our awkwardness1 as with these bungling hands ,we try to unroot the ill1 and plant with good ,life's barren soil3 the child is learning use4 ,perhaps the angels even are forbid ,to laugh at us1 or may not care to laugh1 ,with kind eyes pitying our little hurts4 ,,edward ,,rowland ,,sill4 ,our ,father3 ,thou knowest how unskilled are these hands and hearts of ours4 ,thou knowest how much that we do1 think1 and speak often tends to retard the progress of that which we would promote4 ,give us1 then1 this day that wisdom which is from above1 that no touch of our hand may mar the beauty of one of ,thy creations3 no thought nor word wrong one of ,thy creatures4 ,help us to know that we are workers with ,god1 and in this knowledge may we strive for that excellence of service that shall hasten the coming of that kingdom of peace1 joy and righteousness which is life eternal4 ,amen4 ,,florence ,,kollock ,,crooker4 ,april #f ,plant flowers in the soul's front yard1 ,set out new shade and blossom trees1 ,an' let the soul once froze an' hard1 ,sprout crocuses of new idees4 ,yes1 clean yer house1 an' clean yer shed1 ,an' clean yer barn in ev'ry part2 ,but brush the cobwebs from yer head1 ,an' sweep the snow banks from yer heart4 ,,sam ,,walter ,,foss4 ,gracious ,father1 help us gratefully to begin this day with ,thee4 ,we expect the day to bring its accustomed routine of cares and duties1 and its round of petty irritations1 but we confidently believe that ,thou wilt help us in all our experiences4 ,let this morning's freshness1 hope and vigor be ours through the whole day4 ,help us to put faith in the place of fear that all our efforts may be crowned with the success of helpfulness4 ,may we go blithely about our business with kind words and cheerful faces that our day's work may be our day's worship4 ,amen4 ,,augustus ,b4 ,,church4 ,april #g ,ye seek for happiness--alas the day6 ,ye find it not in luxury nor in gold1 ,not in the fame nor in the envied sway1 ,for which ,o willing slaves to custom old1 ,severe taskmistress1 ye your hearts have sold4 ,ye seek for peace1 and1 when ye die1 to dream ,no evil dreams2 all mortal things are cold ,and senseless then2 if aught survive1 ,i deem ,it must be love and joy1 for they immortal seem4 ,,shelley4 ,o ,thou ,eternal ,god who hast given us life1 help us to love ,thy will and to walk in ,thy way this day4 ,if flowers chance to grow beside our path we would pluck them1 but most of all would we rejoice in ,thee alone1 knowing that in ,thy will is perfect peace4 ,fill our souls with ,thy joy and strengthen us in the spirit of self-forgetfulness to spill it out into the lives of others4 ,give us hearts roomy1 radiant1 and full of laughter1 learned of ,jesus ,christ1 whom not having seen we love2 on whom though now we see ,him not1 yet believing1 we rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory1 receiving the end of our faith1 even the salvation of our souls4 ,amen4 ,,walter ,,healy4 ,april #h ,a gush of bird song1 a patter of dew1 ,a cloud and a rainbow's warning1 ,suddenly sunshine and perfect blue-- ,an ,april day in the morning4 ,,harriet ,p4 ,,spofford4 ,there is something in the air ,that's new and sweet and rare-- ,there's something too that's new1 ,in the color of the blue ,that's in the morning sky1 ,before the sun is high4 ,,nora ,,perry4 ,infinite and ,holy ,one1 be with us in the beauty of this new day4 ,may the dewy sweetness of the dawn ,thou hast given to us be regarded as a token of ,thy love for ,thy children4 ,as an atmosphere of joy and peace may be the thought of ,thy consolation and ,thy care4 ,the delicate tints of ,thy sky arching over us may we compare to the blue of a constancy that is divine1 and which is freely shown to even the humblest and more erring of ,thy flock4 ,bless us and guide us on our pilgrim way1 and inspire our hearts and our hands to perform well their daily task4 ,in ,his name do we ask it4 ,amen4 ,,edmund ,q4 ,s4 ,,osgood4 ,april #i ,as ,i have walked in ,alabama my morning walk1 ,i have seen where the she-bird--the mocking-bird sat on her nest in the briers hatching her brood1 ,i have seen the he-bird also1 ,i have paused to hear him near at hand inflating his throat and joyfully singing1 ,and while ,i paused it came to me that what he really sang for was not there only1 ,nor for his mate nor for himself only1 nor ,all sent back by the echoes1 ,but subtle1 clandestine1 away beyond1 ,a charge transmitted and gift occult for those being born4 ,,walt ,,whitman4 ,thou great ,spirit of ,life1 ,our ,father1 in heaven1 and in the earth1 with what myriad voices dost ,thou speak to us1 sometimes with the voice of thunder and sometimes with the voice of bird4 ,even the rocks and hills have their language4 ,with every manifold voice ,thou tellest us that we do not live nor work for a day only4 ,the song and the word and the work of today have larger relations4 ,they pass over into other days4 ,we pray this morning that the thoughts we think1 the words we speak1 and the work we do may be so true that they may be fit for another day4 ,so may we begin now to realize the meaning of ,eternal ,life4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,april #aj ,if the stream had no quiet eddying place1 could we so admire its cascade over the rocks8 ,were there no clouds1 could we so hail the sky shining through them in its still calm purity8 ,the night is mother of the ,day ,the ,winter of the ,spring1 ,and ever upon old ,decay ,the greenest mosses cling4 ,behind the cloud the starlight lurks1 ,through showers the sunbeams fall3 ,for ,god1 who loveth all ,his works1 ,has left ,his ,hope with all6 ,,john ,,greenleaf ,,whittier4 ,our ,father1 with childhood's glowing morning face we would turn to ,thee and be conscious that the brightness of life comes only to those upon whom the sun of righteousness shines with clear light4 ,full of trust1 full of joy1 we turn our faces towards the light and take up the labors of life with entire confidence in the ,divine care and guidance that blesses the open vision1 the faithful hand and the loving heart4 ,we would follow our ,master1 feeling that we could choose no better way1 and content if we be not called to suffer more than ,he in ,his life of service and sacrifice1 while our hearts praise the giver of spiritual things with unceasing happy songs4 ,amen4 ,,ralph ,,edwin ,,horne4 ,april #aa ,oh1 the little birds sang east1 and the little birds sang west1 ,and ,i smiled to think ,god's greatness flowed around our incompleteness1-- ,round our restlessness1 his nest4 ,,elizabeth ,,barrett ,,browning4 ,and ,i saw that there was an ,ocean of ,darkness and ,death2 but an infinite ,ocean of ,light and ,love flowed over the ,ocean of ,darkness2 and in that ,i saw the infinite ,love of ,god4 ,,george ,,fox4 ,father of ,light1 in whom is no darkness at all1 to ,thee we lift our longing eyes again4 ,shine away the darkness of our minds by the light of ,thy presence4 ,complete our incompleteness4 ,bring us out of our restlessness into ,thy rest4 ,we thank ,thee for our daily gifts1--bread to feed the body1 strength to sustain the soul1 light to guide the feet4 ,help us to put away the mistakes of the past1 remembering them only with the penitence that shall cause ,thee to remember them no more4 ,help us all through this day to know ourselves surrounded by ,thine ,infinite ,love4 ,amen4 ,a4 ,,gertrude ,,earle4 ,april #ab ,just as you now play a piece without the music and do not think what notes you strike1 though once you picked them out by slow and patient toil1 so1 if you begin of set purpose1 you will learn the law of kindness in utterance so perfectly that it will be second nature to you and make more music in your heart than all the songs the sweetest voice has ever sung4 ,,francis ,e4 ,,willard4 ,father1 we rejoice and will be glad all the day that ,thou hast made it possible for us and all ,thy children to learn the sweet song of true life and that ,thou dost give us so many opportunities for its practice4 ,o ,lord1 give us patience and kindness toward our fellowmen and trust in ,thee1 so that whether the lessons be easy or hard we may take them cheerfully1 believing that ,thou dost give us only that which is best4 ,grant that we may be earnest and faithful until our souls can sing the highest1 purest and sweetest notes1 until we are in harmony with ,all ,good4 ,amen4 ,,abbie ,e4 ,,danforth4 ,april #ac ,so many little faults we find3 ,we see them1 for not blind ,is love--we see them2 but if you and ,i ,remember them1 perhaps1 some by and by ,they will not be ,faults then1 grave faults to you and me1 ,but just odd ways1 mistakes1 or even less-- ,remembrances to bless4 ,,george ,,klingle4 ,our dear ,father in ,heaven3 for this day help us to be good4 ,all through the long night ,thou hast watched over us4 ,under ,thy wing have we been sheltered as the chickens under the wing of the mother4 ,now that light has come we will help ,thee to keep this world sweet and bright and clean4 ,help us to be true to this our promise2 we resolve to be patient1 steadfast1 cheerful1 kindly1 sturdy1 and good4 ,our ,father1 we need ,thee4 ,we want to walk in ,thy way4 ,help us1 for we are ,thy children4 ,amen4 ,,william ,,channing ,,brown4 ,april #ad ,the man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder2 a waif1 a nothing1 no man4 ,have a purpose in life1 if it is only to kill and divide and sell oxen well1 but have a purpose2 and having it1 throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as ,god has given you4 ,,thomas ,,carlyle4 ,neither a borrower nor a lender be2 ,for loan oft loses both itself and friend1 ,and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry4 ,this above all3 to thine own self be true ,and it must follow1 as the night the day1 ,thou canst not then be false to any man4 ,,shakespeare4 ,almighty ,god1 at the commencement of this day's work may we look on high1 and measure everything we are about to do by the scale of eternity4 ,keep us from all littleness2 may we not be turned aside by things that are insignificant and unworthy4 ,help us1 we beseech ,thee1 to make the glory of our life commensurate with the splendors of our privileges4 ,may we live life in a great spirit1 realizing that there is no duty so simple1 no position so humble1 but that we may show forth the grandeur of trust1 and obedience toward ,thee4 ,may the great and holy purpose we cherish find its expression as we cooperate with the divine purpose4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,barker4 ,april #ae ',twas one of those charmed days ,when the genius of ,god doth flow1 ,the wind may alter twenty ways1 ,a tempest cannot blow2 ,it may blow north1 it still is warm2 ,or south1 it still is clear2 ,or east1 it smells like a clover farm2 ,or west1 no thunder fear4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,father of ,lights1 from whom cometh every good and perfect gift1 we thank ,thee for the morning and for the sunshine4 ,we rejoice in the light1 but when it is hidden from us1 we are thankful that in the upper air above our clouded morning it still fills ,thy heavens4 ,thou gavest us good things while we slept1 and now1 refreshed by ,thy ,spirit1 may we go forth to our appointed tasks with cheerful obedience and joyful expectation4 ,if trial and trouble await us1 or if1 in the heat of the day the burden seems too great1 may we still be comforted1 because we put our trust in ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,george ,,batchelor4 ,april #af ,but spring-wind1 like a dancing psaltress1 passes ,over its breast1 to waken it1 rare verdure ,buds tenderly upon rough banks between ,the withered tree-roots and the cracks of frost1 ,like a smile striving with a wrinkled face2 ,the grass grows bright1 the boughs are swol'n with blooms ,like chrysalids impatient for the air1 ,the shining dors are busy1 beetles run ,along the furrows2 ants make their ado2 ,above1 birds fly in merry flocks1 the lark ,soars up and up1 shivering for very joy2 ,afar the ocean sleeps2 white fishing gulls ,flit where the sand is purple with its tribe ,of nested limpits2 savage creatures seek ,their loves in wood and plain--and ,god renews ,his ancient rapture4 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,o ,lord1 who givest to mankind liberally1 and upbraidest not1 we thank ,thee for the blessings ,thou bestowest from day to day4 ,we thank ,thee for this material world1 now clad in its garment of ,northern beauty1 for the great sun which all day pours down his light upon the waiting and the grateful world1 and for the earth underneath our feet4 ,we bless ,thee for the grass1 bread for the cattle1 its harvest of use spread everywhere1 and for the various beauty which here and there spangles all useful things which ,thine eye looks down upon4 ,may we use this world of matter to build up the being that we are to a nobler stature of strength and of beauty4 ,amen4 ,,theodore ,,parker4 ,april #ag ,o brothers all6 come near ,and hear ,a bird's ,melodious dreaming set to words1 and flung ,the spring's new leaves and tender buds among1 ,for very joy of life1 and hope1 and love ,in a world made broad enough ,for all ,god's creatures to be merry in1 ,with joyous clash and din1 ,and yet too small ,for any greed at all6 ,lo6 deep and sure ,is cut this truth in heaven's book of gold3 ,out of one mother in the garden old ,were born the rich and poor4 ,,maurice ,,thompson4 ,our ,father1 may we begin this day with a song in our hearts1--a song as rich and full and free as the bird sings at the earliest dawning of the sun's light1--a song so attuned with infinite life and hope and love that it must be sung4 ,thou giver of abundance unto the rich and poor alike1 help our souls to mount unto the highest reaches of living thoughts and generous deeds1 that we may give unto others as ,thou givest4 ,unfettered by unholy passions and freed from the spirit of greed1 may we feel the unity of the bonds of a universal brotherhood1 and be just and true1 honest1 and helpful in all our dealings with all men this day4 ,amen4 ,,henrietta ,g4 ,,moore4 ,april #ah ,o spring1 of hope and love and youth and gladness ,wing-winged emblem6 ,brightest1 best and fairest6 ,whence comest thou when with dark ,winter's sadness ,the tears that fade in sunny smiles thou sharest8 ,sister of ,joy6 thou art the child who wearest ,thy mother's dying smile1 tender and sweet3 ,thy mother ,autumn1 for whose grave thou bearest ,fresh flowers1 and beams like flowers1 ,disturbing not the leaves which are her winding-sheet4 ,,shelley4 ,god unchanging1 and still the creator of the seasons1 we look up to ,thee1 as the springtide works out the miracle of the resurrection from the sleeping forms of the past season1 in confidence and in trust that ever ,thou wilt bless us with a nobler1 holier1 sweeter1 more wholesome life1 as the seasons come and go4 ,the resources of trusting hearts are always reinforced and reinvigorated by contact with ,thy life1 ,thy power1 ,thy goodness and ,thy love4 ,out of the winter of our discontent1 we enter the springtime of love1 that leads us forward in confidence through the glad summer of growth to the soul's fruition and the place of rest and peace in our ,father's ,home beneath ,thine everlasting ,love4 ,amen4 ,,francis ,a4 ,,gray4 ,april #ai ,one sound always comes to the ear that is open2 it is the steady drum-beat of ,duty4 ,no music in it1 perhaps1--only a dry rub-a-dub4 ,ah1 but that steady beat marks the time for the whole orchestra of earth and heaven6 ,it says to you3 ,do your work1--do the duty nearest you6 ,keep step to that drum-beat1 and the dullest march is taking you home4 ,,george ,s4 ,,merriam4 ,o ,thou great impelling ,spirit1 whom we see manifest in all the world1 as we open our eyes to the light of another morning1 may we be as responsive to ,thy influence as the sun and the flowers which brighten our way4 ,may we be very sensitive to ,thy promptings as we go about our day's work4 ,may we be very quick to do the things ,thou wouldst have us do4 ,may we give ourselves to ,thy service without reserve4 ,when again the night shades draw about us1 may our hearts be filled with deepest gratitude for all the experiences of the day1 and1 deep within1 may our spirits be conscious of ,thy approving benediction1 ,well done1 good and faithful servant2 enter ,thou into the joy of ,thy ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,frank ,,lincoln ,,masseck4 ,april #bj ,thyself and thy belongings ,are not thine own so proper as to waste ,thyself upon thy virtues1 they on thee4 ,heaven doth with us as we with torches do ,not light them for themselves2 for if our virtues ,did not go forth of us1 'twere all alike ,as if we had them not4 ,spirits are not finely touched ,but to fine issues1 nor ,nature never lends ,the smallest scruple of her excellence ,but like a thrifty goddess1 she determines ,herself the glory of a creditor1 ,both thanks and use4 ,,shakespeare4 ,father1 with faith and confidence in ,thee we begin the day's duties1 with a blithe song upon our lips1 expressing the melody of our souls1 thanking ,thee for opportunities for work1 and thought and love4 ,we ask not for more blessings but to be more worthy of those we have1 using and not abusing them4 ,may our minds be open to ,thy truth1 and hearts to ,thy love1 and when received may we be almoners of both to the waiting world4 ,may we keep by giving ,thy love abundantly1 and grow through the glory of self-sacrifice4 ,give us the heart1 ,o ,god1 to sanctify our work and to lift it above drudgery into the divinest service1 and give us strength to perform it4 ,amen4 ,u4 ,s4 ,,milburn4 ,april #ba ,a man is simple where his chief care is the wish to be what he ought to be2 that is honestly and naturally human4 ,we may compare existence to raw material4 ,what it is matters less than what it is made of2 as the value of a work of art lies in the flowering of a workman's skill4 ,true life is possible in social conditions the most diverse and with natural gifts the most unequal4 ,it is not fortune or personal advantage1 but our training them to account1 that constitutes the value of life4 ,fame adds no more than does length of days2 quality is the thing4 ,,charles ,,wagner4 ,heavenly ,father1 our eyes are ever toward ,thee4 ,we do not pray for the things of the world4 ,teach us to walk in ,thy truth4 ,though our days be few1 may our lives be hopeful and cheerful4 ,though our bodies be frail1 may we be invincible in spirit4 ,all ,thy children are immortal1 but it is for us to attain the eternal life4 ,may we know ,thee through ,jesus4 ,then days and hours and minutes will disappear in the liberty and glory and peace of the life eternal4 ,then poverty of worldly goods will be forgotten in the riches of the ,spirit4 ,then the cares of the world that now is will be lost in the joy of the life that is to be4 ,amen4 ,,reignold ,k4 ,,marvin4 ,april #bb ,a little sun1 a little rain1 ,a soft wind blowing from the west-- ,and woods and fields are sweet again ,and warmth within the mountain's breast4 ,so simple is the earth we tread1 ,so quick with love and life her frame1 ,ten thousand years have dawned and fled4 ,and still her magic is the same4 ,,stopford ,a4 ,,brooke4 ,gracious ,god1 we thank ,thee for the gift of sight whereby we behold the marvels of the outer world4 ,but greater is our gratitude for the inner sight1 the power to see things as they ought to be4 ,if we but look deep enough1 we find ,thy central laws ever at the heart of all life4 ,with such insight1 apparent confusion shall not bewilder us1 life's cares shall not harden us1 the world's show cannot dazzle us4 ,give us1 we pray ,thee1 unceasing ability to wonder and admire1 which brings perpetual youth2 to hope1 to believe1 to trust2 to rest content in working with ,thee1 the ,eternal ,one1 ,lord of the seasons1 this is our heart's desire4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,a4 ,,horton4 ,april #bc ,what is the secret of your life8 asked ,mrs4 ,browning of ,charles ,kingsley2 tell me1 that ,i may make mine beautiful too4 ,he replied1 ,i had a friend4 ,somewhere in her ,middlemarch1 ,george ,eliot puts it well3 ,there are natures in which1 if they love us1 we are conscious of having a sort of baptism and consecration2 they bind us over to rectitude and purity by their pure belief about us2 and our sins become the worst kind of sacrilege1 which tears down the invisible altar of trust4 ,,william ,c4 ,,gannett4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for all the sweet and sacred influences of life4 ,music comes with its invisible fingers to weave a magic charm around our souls2--the home with its love is ours1--but we thank ,thee to-day for the sweet and saving influence of friendship1--for the counsel and fellowship of those who are wise and good and faithful to us4 ,we would not walk alone--we would find strength in the strength of others1 and faith in other's faith4 ,let us cherish such fellowships and give back to those1 who love us1 love again4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,april #bd ,live in the sunshine1 don't live in the gloom1 ,carry some gladness the world to illume4 ,live in the brightness1 and take this to heart2 ,the world will seem gayer if you'll do your part4 ,live on the housetop1 not down in the cell2 ,open air ,christians live nobly and well4 ,live where the joys are1 and1 scorning defeat1 ,have a good-morrow for all whom you meet4 ,live as a victor1 and triumphing go ,through this queer world1 beating down every foe4 ,live in the sunshine1 ,god meant it for you6 ,live as the robins1 and sing the day through4 ,,margaret ,,sangster4 ,o ,god1 our heavenly ,father1 ,thou who givest us the sunshine of this new day1 ,thou who art the ,god of life and light1 we ask ,thy help and ,thy strength as we again go out to our separate duties and cares4 ,help us to fill this day with good deeds1 to give cheer and comfort to all we meet4 ,may our lips be clean4 ,may our hearts be pure4 ,and when the even time comes1 may it find us conscious that we have put no cloud upon the day1 that we have walked through its hours true disciples of the ,master who went about doing good4 ,amen4 ,,william ,h4 ,,morrison4 ,april #be ,to weigh the material in the scales of the personal1 and measure life by the standard of love2 to prize health as contagious happiness1 wealth as potential service1 reputation as latent influence1 learning for the light it can shed1 power for the help it can give1 station for the good it can do--to choose in each case what is best on the whole1 and accept cheerfully incidental evils involved2 to put my whole self into all that ,i do1 and indulge no single desire at the expense of myself as a whole2 to crowd out fear by devotion to duty1 and see present and future as one2 to treat others as ,i would be treated1 and myself as ,i would my best friend2 and to recognize ,god's coming kingdom in every institution and person that helps men to love one another4 ,,william ,,dewitt ,,hyde4 ,for the dear love that kept us through the night1 ,and gave our senses to sleep's gentle sway1 ,for the new miracle of dawning light1 ,flushing the east with prophecies of day1 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o1 our ,god6 ,for the fresh life that through our being flows1 ,with its full tide to strengthen and to bless1 ,for calm1 sweet thoughts1 upspringing from repose1 ,to bear to ,thee their song of thankfulness1 ,we praise ,thee1 ,o1 our ,god6 ,thou knowest our needs1 ,thy fulness will supply ,our blindness--let ,thy hand still lead us on1 ,till1 visited by the dayspring from on high1 ,our prayer1 one only1 ,let ,thy will be done1 ,we breathe to ,thee1 ,o1 ,god6 ,amen4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,burleigh4 ,april #bf ,is it not possible1 then1 that the hindrances which arrest our progress1 and the obstacles that lie broadly in our path1 are the divinest agents of help which our ,creator could give us8 ,the painful struggles to overcome and remove them develop in us strength1 courage1 self-reliance1 and heroism4 ,they are the hammer and chisel that release the statue from the imprisoning marble1--the plow and the harrow that break up the soil1 and mellow it for the reception of the seed that shall yield an abundant harvest4 ,perfection lies that way4 ,,mary ,a4 ,,livermore4 ,we seek ,thy face anew this day1 ,o our ,father1 and ask ,thee that ,thou wilt help us to live our lives in constant communion with ,thee4 ,let us see ,thee at every turn in the way4 ,let us find ,thy hand in all our duties1 all our meditations1 all our intercourse with men1 all our doings and all our deeds4 ,help us to make ,thee our counsellor every hour4 ,help us to undertake nought without ,thy blessings1 to finish nought without ,thy benediction4 ,morning and evening may we turn in prayer to ,thy throne4 ,at every meal may we seek ,thy grace and give ,thee thanks4 ,so may we find the blessing of them that abide in ,thy house4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,,coleman ,,adams4 ,april #bg ,i think the sweetest thought1 the very central idea1 of the revelation of the character of ,god to me1 is this3 that ,he does everything out of ,his supreme will4 ,there is no one thing that ,i can say with more heartiness1 or that has in it more echoes of joy1 than ,thy will be done4 ,if anything works righteousness in me or in you1 it is ,god4 ,the nature of ,god is fruitful in generosity4 ,he is so good that ,he loves to do good1 and loves to make men good1 and loves to make them happy by making them good4 ,he loves to be patient with them1 and to wait for them1 and to pour benevolence upon them1 because that is ,his nature4 ,,henry ,,ward ,,beecher4 ,father1 we thank ,thee for the blessing4 ,we know what are our privileges1 we know what are our duties1 and we are before ,thee again to consecrate this day in all its glory and beauty to ,thee1 the ,father of perfect ,love4 ,thou wilt be with us as we strive to be with ,thee4 ,thou wilt make us strong when we are weak4 ,thou wilt make us see where we are in darkness4 ,thou wilt send us forth on ,thine infinite mission to the world4 ,boys or girls1 men or women1 here we are1 the living children of the living ,god1 sent forward by ,thee to proclaim it that all may be one as ,christ ,jesus with ,thee and ,thou with ,him1 that this world may be perfected into one1 that men may know that ,thou art ,father and what the ,father has given us to do1 that each one of us may lift up what has fallen down1 that each one may open the eyes that are blind and the ears that are deaf1 that each one of us may proclaim the gospel of ,thy perfect love4 ,this is our prayer and our hope1 in ,christ ,jesus4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,,everett ,,hale4 ,april #bh ,with every rising of the sun1 ,think of your life as just begun4 ,the past has shrived and buried deep1 ,all yesterdays2 there let them sleep4 ,nor seek to summon back one ghost ,of that innumerable host4 ,concern yourself with but today4 ,woo it1 and teach it to obey ,your will and wish4 ,since time began ,today has been the friend of man2 ,but in his blindness and his sorrow1 ,he looks to yesterday and tomorrow4 ,you1 and today6 a soul sublime1 ,and the great pregnant hour of time1 ,with ,god himself to bind the twain6 ,go forth1 ,i say1 attain1 attain6 ,,ella ,,wheeler ,,wilcox4 ,infinitely wise and loving ,father1 our minds and hearts reach out to ,thee in this morning hour thankful that the rest of the night has prepared us for the work of the new day1 and that the light brings the call to service4 ,the past cannot be recalled1 but today is ours4 ,i and today1 with ,god and in the ,spirit of ,jesus6 ,priceless privilege6 ,grant us1 ,o ,father1 to use it for ,thee1 for humanity and ,in ,his name4 ,amen4 ,,samuel ,,gilbert ,,ayers4 ,april #bi ,life is full of new beginnings4 ,some change may come1 something is sure to come1 to close one chapter and begin another4 ,life is planned just so1 444 that there should be a break from former link and habit1 often from imperfection and mistake1 and a clear1 clean start for the fulfilment of the best one has grown to1 even in desire1 unhampered by the poorest one has ever happened to be1 or to get credit for4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,o1 ,thou who dwellest in the light1 help ,thy children this morning to see the light of ,thy truth and feel the warmth of ,thy love4 ,we thank ,thee for the open doors of opportunity for helpful service2 for the exhibition of kindness and for growth in the kingdom of ,heaven4 ,may we clearly see the way to the ,eternal life and have strength to walk therein4 ,may we so welcome ,thy truth that we shall be free from error and sin4 ,may ,thy wisdom so guide our energies that we shall reach after greater perfection4 ,may the evening of this day find us more in harmony with ,god than we now are4 ,and may the evening of life find us rich in the treasures of heaven4 ,amen4 ,,andrew ,,willson4 ,april #cj ,true worth is in being1 not seeming2 ,in doing each day that goes by1 ,some little good--not in the dreaming ,of great things to do by and by1 ,for whatever men say in blindness1 ,and spite of the fancies of youth1 ,there's nothing so kingly as kindness1 ,and nothing so royal as truth4 ,we get back our mete as we measure3 ,we cannot do wrong and feel right2 ,nor can we give pain and gain pleasure1 ,for justice avenges each slight4 ,the air for the wing of the sparrow1 ,the bush for the robin and wren1 ,but always the path that is narrow ,and straight for the children of men4 ,,alice ,,cary4 ,almighty ,father1 who with every morning dost give us a new day and with each day some fresh duty1 mercifully equip us for every task that awaits us6 ,give us eyes to see1 and hearts to love the truth and right1 and the disposition that makes every duty a delight1 and the doing of good to others a sacred privilege4 ,save us this day from angry passions and low desires4 ,forgive us when we are selfish2 recall us when we go astray2 save us from wronging ourselves by thinking ill of others1 and in all places and to all people give us the mind which was in ,christ ,jesus4 ,amen4 ,,john ,,cuckson4 ,may #a ,to the ,woods3--,whoso goeth in your paths readeth the same cheerful lesson1 whether he be a young child or a hundred years old1 comes he in good fortune or in bad1 ye say the same things1 and from age to age4 ,ever the needles of the pine grow and fall1 the acorns on the oak1 the maples redden in autumn and at all times of the year the ground pine and the pyrola bud and root under foot4 ,what is called fortune and what is called time by men1 ye know them not4 ,men have not language to describe one moment of your life4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,thou ,god of ,nature and of the human heart1 we thank ,thee for our human relations1 but we thank ,thee also for our kinship with the birds4 ,we thank ,thee for that instinct which makes us to sympathize with the mating of the bird lovers and for that music of the heart which makes us to love the song of the birds4 ,we pray this morning for a life so simple and natural that we shall be able to enter into sympathetic relations with everything that lives--the flowers of the garden1 and the field--the bees that sip the flowers' honey1 and the bird that makes her nest among the trees4 ,if ,thou speakest to men in the glory of the heavens1 ,thou speakest also in the manifold voices of all ,thy loving creatures4 ,may our ears be trained to hear ,thee when ,thou speakest thus4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,may #b ,hail bounteous ,may1 that doth inspire ,mirth and youth1 and warm desire2 ,woods and groves are of thy dressing1 ,hill and dale doth boast thy blessing1 ,thus we salute thee with our early song1 ,and welcome thee and wish thee long4 ,,john ,,milton4 ,almighty and ,all-loving ,father1 who dost make all the earth to rejoice in the brightness of returning springtime1 fill our hearts with like joy and renewal4 ,graciously awaken in us the life that the cold or care or trouble or sorrow of the world often has caused to fade and go out4 ,as our eyes behold all this outward beauty and glory1 give unto us that spiritual vision by which we behold the beauty and glory of divine things4 ,then when the springtime of our life passes with the summer and the summer ripens into the autumn1 and our work is done1 may we bring unto ,thee the harvest of spiritual riches4 ,amen4 ,,james ,,denormandie4 ,may #c ,success6 ,it is won by a patient endeavor1 ,energy's fire1 and the flame-glow of ,will2 ,by grasping the chance with a ,now1 now or never6 ,urging on1 on6 while the laggard stands still4 ,success6 ,it is facing life's trials1 undaunted2 ,fighting the present--forgetting the past3 ,by trusting to ,fate1 though for years she has taunted1 ,and bearing ,time's scars2 facing front1 to the last6 ,success6 ,would you win it and wear its bright token8 ,smile and step out to the drummer's light lilt2 ,fight on till the last inch of sword-blade is broken4 ,then do not say die4 ,fight on with the hilt6 ,,mary ,,markwell4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,our ,father1 that ,thou hast enriched our being with those faculties which prompt to noble endeavor4 ,we rejoice in our power1 guided by ,thy free ,spirit1 both to overcome evil and to do good4 ,help us1 dear ,father1 to recognize the great incentives of conscience and of duty1 assured that in cheerful conformity thereto we shall find the sweetest zest of life4 ,increase our faith in ,thee1 ,o ,lord4 ,enable us more clearly to realize that in the end truth and right will gain the victory4 ,thus may we be inspired to live brave1 true and wholesome lives4 ,may we fight the good fight of faith and win the crown of life promised to all those who follow the conquering ,christ4 ,in ,his name4 ,amen4 ,,henry ,w4 ,,rugg4 ,may #d ,the green grass is bowing2 ,the morning wind is in it2 ',tis a tune worth the knowing1 ,though it change every minute4 ',tis a tune of the ,spring2 ,every year plays it over4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,god does not send strange flowers every year4 ,when the spring winds blow o'er the pleasant places ,the same dear things lift up the same fair faces4 ,the violet is here4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,o ,god1 ,father ,almighty1 who bringest light out of darkness and at whose word night yields to day1 we offer ,thee glad worship and praise4 ,we thank ,thee for ,thy gifts which are beautiful and good2 for flowers which renew old friendships and awaken new affections2 for songs in which voices of all yesterdays sound through today's melodies2 for rich memories of the past2 for the joy of living now2 for the hope of better days2 for new expressions of abiding truth and fresh breathings of eternal love2 for courage to do right and for confidence in righteousness4 ,may we this day1 mindful of earthly duty and of heavenly promise1 humbly follow ,him who went about doing good and gave ,himself a ransom for many4 ,amen4 ,w4 ,i4 ,,ward4 ,may #e ,bishop ,brooks taught me no special creed or dogma2 but he impressed upon my mind two great ideas--the fatherhood of ,god and the brotherhood of man1 and made me feel that these truths underlie all creeds and forms of worship4 ,god is love1 ,god is our ,father1 we are ,his children2 therefore the darkest clouds will break1 and though right be worsted1 wrong shall not triumph4 ,he said3 ,there is one universal religion1 ,helen--the religion of love4 ,love your ,heavenly ,father with your whole heart and soul1 love every child of ,god as much as ever you can1 and remember that the possibilities of good are greater than the possibilities of evil2 and you have the key to ,heaven4 ,,helen ,,keller4 ,infinite ,spirit6 ,we shall not look upon ,thee as a friend looketh upon the face of his friend1 but may we learn to see ,thee in every form of life and beauty and service here in this great world of ,nature and of ,man4 ,may we discover ,thee in the midst of common things and then they shall no more be common1 but all things shall be sacred and divine4 ,may we see ,thy face in all human faces1 clasp ,thy hand in all human hands1 and when we have walked with a friend1 or talked with those we love1 may it be as a walk with ,thee and a communion with ,thee4 ,may we not think of ,thee as afar off but always near1 making all things holy4 ,may we realize that it is a diviner thing to serve the lowly who need our help than to praise the ,infinite who needeth not4 ,may the sense of ,thy presence in all things be the inspiration and interpretation of all days for us4 ,amen4 ,e4 ,l4 ,,rexford4 ,may #f ,the brown1 brown woods of ,march ,are the green1 green woods of ,may1 ,and they lift their arms with a freer swing ,and shake out their pennons gay4 ,and the brown1 dead world of ,march1 ,is the living world of today2 ,life throbs and flushes and flashes out ,in the color and fragrance of ,may4 ,,anonymous4 ,infinite ,spirit of the winter and the summer and of the night and the morning1 ,thou hast watched over and guarded1 during its winter sleep and rest1 this earth which ,thou hast made1 and which ,thou hast made for a purpose--to be beautiful and fruitful in its season1 to be a humble and obedient servant of ,thy will of goodness4 ,and now1 as the woods of ,may are radiant in the beauty of springtime1 and ready to do ,thy will2 so as we wake to the opportunity of this new day1 may we rejoice in the privilege of living to ,thee and doing ,thy will in the glad service of lives lived as the ,master lived4 ,amen4 ,,george ,,wallace ,,penniman4 ,may #g ,one who never turned his back1 but marched breast forward1 ,never doubted clouds would break1 ,never dreamed1 though right were worsted1--wrong would triumph1 ,held we fall to rise1 are baffled to fight better1 ,sleep to wake4 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,our ,father1 in the heaven1 we thank ,thee for the birth of a new day4 ,may we be full of gladness during its golden hours1 may our hearts be tranquil with ,god's peace4 ,a day is a part of ,thy eternity4 ,thou hast set us in the battle1 ,thou art watching us in the fight2 ,thou art training us by well-accepted controversy4 ,may nothing of ,thy purpose be lost because of the blinding details of the conflict4 ,strengthen our hearts to do the work of this day4 ,help us to be as grateful as we are dependent upon ,god4 ,inspire our whole life2 help us quickly to learn why we are here1 what we are to do while here1 and the path that leads home when the work-day is over4 ,in the name of the ,christ6 ,amen4 ,w4 ,a4 ,,wood4 ,may #h ,then sing1 ye birds1 sing1 sing a joyous song6 ,and let the young lambs bound ,as to the tabor's sound6 ,we in thought will join your throng1 ,ye that pipe and ye that play1 ,ye that through your hearts today ,feel the gladness of the ,may6 ,,william ,,wordsworth4 ,god of the morning1 ,father of the ,soul1 we bless ,thee for the light1 for it is pleasant to behold the world made beautiful by the ,king of day1 and sweet with the melody of the song of bird1 and cheerful with the promise of hope in the swelling buds of spring4 ,we join with ,thy faithful ones in ascriptions of praise to ,thee for the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of ,god4 ,help us to look upon our every faculty of soul1 and power of body1 as gifts from ,thee1 to be used for the advancement of love1 truth and beauty1 in our own hearts1 and in the world4 ,give us ,thine own help to bear every burden cheerfully1 to stand erect before every responsibility1 and if in our efforts to do much good for this day we seem to fail1 may we look to ,jesus and learn of ,him that in a conscience void of offence there is no such thing as failure4 ,help us to strive with the evil of the world and sin not1 that at the close of the day we may look back and say1 we have kept ourselves unspotted from the world4 ,amen4 ,l4 ,l4 ,,greene4 ,may #i ,fairer grows the earth each morning ,to the eyes that watch aright2 ,every dew-drop sparkles warning ,of a miracle in sight2 ,of some unexpected glory ,waiting in the old and plain2 ,poet's dream nor traveller's story ,words such wonders as remain4 ,,william ,c4 ,,gannett4 ,o ,thou1 who makest things seen and temporal quiver and flash with ,thine own informing spirit1 so illumine our pathways that the ,luz where we meet our duties may become the ,bethel where we meet our ,god4 ,as ,thou dost clothe the lily with beauty and inspire the bird with song help us to grow into the beauty of holiness1 and to know the joy of ,thy salvation4 ,whatever our past1 open our eyes this day to some better thing which ,thou hast always in reserve4 ,teach us what hinders our attainment and help us burst through the barrier4 ,make us so conscious of ,thy indwelling spirit that we may yield to its gracious impellings toward righteousness and peace and joy4 ,amen4 ,,thomas ,d4 ,,anderson4 ,may #aj ,listen to the exhortation of the dawn6 ,look to this day6 ,for it is life1 the very life of life4 ,in its brief course lie all the ,varieties and realities of your existence2 ,the bliss of growth1 ,the glory of action1 ,the splendor of beauty3 ,for yesterday is but a dream1 ,and tomorrow is only a vision1 ,but to-day well-lived makes ,every yesterday a dream of happiness1 ,and every tomorrow a vision of hope4 ,look well1 therefore to this day6 ,such is the salutation of the dawn4 ,,from ,,the ,,sanskrit4 ,dear ,god1 in ,thy loving kindness1 ,thou hast brought us to the opening of another day2 from darkness to light1 from sleep to wakefulness1 from rest to labor4 ,we thank ,thee for its opening glory and its coming opportunities2 but above all1 for the new strength we feel within ourselves to do its work and live its life4 ,as radiant dawn climbs to full-orbed day and glides to setting sun1 may we come to this day's close with the consciousness that we have lived a little closer to the great heart of the ,eternal in every thought1 word and deed1 that we have woven into the texture of our lives1 and gently as twilight enfolds the fruitful earth1 shall peace that passeth understanding enfold our souls4 ,amen4 ,,thomas ,b4 ,,payne4 ,may #aa ,as the insect from the rock ,takes the color of its wing2 ,as the boulder from the shock ,of the ocean's rhythmic swing ,makes itself a perfect form1 ,learns a calmer front to raise2 ,as the shell1 enameled warm ,with the prism's mystic rays1 ,praises wind and wave that make ,all its chambers fair and strong2 ,as the mighty poets take ,grief and pain to build their song2 ,even so for every soul1 ,whatsoe'er its lot may be-- ,building1 as the heavens roll1 ,something large and strong and free-- ,things that hurt and things that mar ,shape the man for perfect praise2 ,shock and strain and ruin are ,friendlier than the smiling days4 ,,john ,,white ,,chadwick4 ,dear ,father1 as the light of this morning follows the darkness of the night1 may we devoutly believe that the light of ,thy love shall dispel all darkness and bring us into the morning of eternal peace4 ,may we learn each day that our trials and sorrows are but stepping-stones in ,thy divine economy1 to bring us up into the clearer atmosphere of heavenly thought and life4 ,help us to live closer to ,jesus1 to understand how even ,he was made glorious through suffering1 and ever learn to conquer in ,his name4 ,amen4 ,,elmer ,f4 ,,pember4 ,may #ab ,i live for those that love me ,for those that know me true1 ,for the heaven that smiles above me1 ,and waits my coming1 too2 ,for the cause that lacks assistance1 ,for the wrongs that need resistance1 ,for the future in the distance1 ,for the good that ,i can do4 ,g4 ,l4 ,,banks4 ,father1 we bless ,thee for such as love us and those whom we love in the varying forms of affection1 thanking ,thee for the sacramental cup of joy in which ,thou givest the wine of life to all of ,thy children1 humble or high4 ,we thank thee for that love which setteth the solitary in families at the beginning1 and then reaches wide arms all around1 and will not stay its hold till it joins all nations and kindreds and tongues and people into one great family of love4 ,we bless ,thee for the noble men and women whose generous heart has lit the altar fire of philanthropy in many a dark and else benighted place4 ,we thank ,thee for the unbidden faith which springs up in our hearts1 impelling us to trust ,thee and love ,thee and keep every commandment of ,thine1 and that while we know not what a day shall bring forth1 we are sure of everlasting life4 ,amen4 ,,theodore ,,parker4 ,may #ac ,gladness of morning-- ,to hear the lark begin his flight1 ,and singing1 startle the dull ,night ,from his watch-tower in the skies1 ,till the dappled ,dawn doth rise2 ,then to come in spite of sorrow1 ,and at my window bid good-morrow ,through the sweetbrier1 or the vine1 ,or the twisted eglantine4 ,,john ,,milton4 ,o ,thou1 in whose light we see light1 who hast lifted the shadows of night from our dwellings1 complete now in our behalf ,thy ministry of light1 we beseech ,thee1 and let the day star arise in our hearts4 ,make clear ,thy face unto us4 ,rise with ,thy morning upon our souls4 ,may the light which envelops us throughout the day be the radiance of ,thy presence4 ,may our eyes behold only what ,thou revealest and our lives be warmed with the glow of ,thy love4 ,o1 that we may be new-born like the day and live a new life in ,thy mercies which are new every morning2 that our love may rise fresh as the dawn and our obedience be as sure as the path of the law4 ,let no shadow from the past dim the joy of ,thy presence4 ,scatter the darkness of sense and self within us4 ,as the morning reveals1 interprets and fulfils the beauties of a world which was wrapped in night1 may the mystery of our lives unfold1 our latent forces be summoned to service1 and our hearts find fulness of joy because we live in ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,everett ,d4 ,,burr4 ,may #ad ,it may be truly said that no man does any work perfectly who does not enjoy his work4 ,joy in one's work is the consummate tool without which the work may be done indeed1 but without its finest perfectness4 ,men who do their work without enjoying it are like men carving statues with hatchets4 ,a man who does his work with thorough enjoyment of it is like an artist who holds an exquisite tool which is almost as obedient to him as his own hand1 and almost works intelligently with him4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,o ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee that ,thou hast placed us where we are and hast given us the work we have to do4 ,we would not seek far and wide for some better place or more honourable task4 ,we pray today for the spirit that shall make us glad in our common toil4 ,we need not to fly away to find enjoyment2 we have only to feel that in the duties of this day we are in partnership with ,thee1--then shall we be happy that ,thou hast called us to so divine a fellowship4 ,make us strong and earnest and brave--that when the evening shadows fall we shall not look regretfully back because we have been unfaithful1--but that we may be satisfied and happy in the memory that we have been serving with ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,anonymous4 ,may #ae ,i love the flowers that come about with spring1 ,and whether they be scarlet1 white or blue1 ,it mattereth to me not anything1 ,for when ,i see them full of sun and dew1 ,my heart doth get so full with its delight1 ,i know not blue from red1 nor red from white4 ,,alice ,,cary4 ,father ,divine1 we remember ,thee at the beginning of another day1 and the obedience to ,thy laws of life which ,thou dost require4 ,about us is ,thy beautiful world1 thrilling with new life4 ,we would that our lives today may be likewise beautiful1 restrained from sin against body and spirit4 ,as there is now in the earth1 so there is always in human souls a springtide ready to burst forth into beautiful living4 ,in our hearts there is always the stirring energy of a spiritual spring that needs but the warmth of ,thy heavenly sunshine4 ,let that warmth now stream into our hearts that our lives today may show forth ,thy praise4 ,amen4 ,,minot ,o4 ,,simons4 ,may #af ,violet3 ,well1 but surely at least one ought to be afraid of displeasing ,god2 and one's desire to please ,him should be one's first motive4 ,lecturer3 ,he never would be pleased with us1 if it were1 my dear4 ,when a father sends his son out into the world--suppose as an apprentice--fancy the boy's coming home at night1 and saying1 ',father1 ,i could have robbed the till to-day2 but ,i didn't because ,i thought you wouldn't like it4' ,do you think the father would be particularly pleased8 7,violet is silent74 ,he would answer1 would he not1 if he were wise and good1 ',my boy1 though you had no father1 you must not rob tills4' ,and nothing is ever done so as really to please our ,great ,father1 unless we would also have done it1 though we had had no ,father to know of it4 ,,john ,,ruskin4 ,father of ,life1 ,thy children raise their thoughts in prayer to ,thee at the dawning of each day4 ,their prayer asserts love1 trust and conformity to ,thy will4 ,may the spirit of prayer abide with us the day through1 that we may be dutiful and worthy4 ,the moral law is ,thy way of life1 may we make it our way by intelligent obedience4 ,to know ,thee aright and to find our joy in ,thy life is to have fullness of being through purity and strength4 ,o ,father1 may we be as those who broaden and deepen and purify life by word and deed that none may suffer loss through us1 but find aid to reach the perfect life in ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,wilson ,m4 ,,backus4 ,may #ag ,through the harsh noises of our day ,a low sweet prelude finds its way3 ,through clouds of doubt and creeds of fear ,a light is breaking1 calm and clear4 ,henceforth my heart shall sigh no more ,for olden time and holier shore3 ,god's love and blessing1 then and there ,are now and here and everywhere4 ,,john ,,greenleaf ,,whittier4 ,our ,father1 as we enter upon the duties of this new day1 incline our minds and hearts unto ,thee4 ,may we feel1 amid its harsh noises1 the assurance of ,thy love and care4 ,if doubt or fear assail us may we turn unto ,thee who art the source of life1 love and light1 and find calm and peace4 ,we would forget the things behind and make the most of the present4 ,we rejoice that today is better than yesterday and that tomorrow will be better than today4 ,thou art here now1 as ,thou art everywhere always1 to bless us with ,thy love and care4 ,direct us through the hours of this day and may its close find us better children of ,thine4 ,amen4 ,,john ,b4 ,,reardon4 ,may #ah ,the sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers1 but for the wide world's joy4 ,the lonely pine of the mountain top waves its sombre boughs1 and cries1 ,thou art my sun6 ,and the little meadow violet lifts its cup of blue1 and whispers with its perfumed breath1 ,thou art my sun6 ,and the grain in a thousand fields rustles in the wind1 and makes answer1 ,thou art my sun6 ,so ,god sits1 effulgent1 in heaven1 not for a favored few1 but for the universe of life2 and there is no creature so poor or so low that he may not look up with child-like confidence1 and say1 ,my ,father1 ,thou art mine6 ,,henry ,,ward ,,beecher4 ,o ,god1 the ,eternal ,source of all life1 we rejoice that there are no bounds to ,thy love4 ,we thank ,thee that ,thou givest us all things richly to enjoy4 ,may we learn that ,thy bounties are for all human beings4 ,make the hearts of men eager that the ignorant1 the lowly1 the poor1 the wayward1 may come into the full estate of knowing that they are children of ,god4 ,let them in no way be denied the joy of unfolding the divinity within them4 ,lead us all into those fields of labor where we can be our best selves and develop our lives by what we do to meet the growing demands of truth and love and goodness4 ,wherever the morning breaks and the sunshine falls upon human faces1 may its cheer make homes happy and true1 men and women good1 and little children joyous4 ,amen4 ,,alva ,,roy ,,scott4 ,may #ai ,hear the ,master's risen word6 ,delving spades have set it free1 ,wake6 the world has need of thee1 ,rise and let thy voice be heard1 ,like a fountain disinterred1 ,upward springing1 singing1 sparkling2 ,through the doubtful shadows darkling2 ,till the clouds of pain and rage ,brooding o'er the toiling age1 ,as with rifts of light are stirred ,by the music of the ,word2 ,gospel for the heavy-laden1 answer to the labourer's cry2 ,raise the stone1 and thou shalt find ,me3 cleave the wood1 and there am ,i4 ,,henry ,,van ,,dyke4 ,god of light and strength and beauty1 for this day we thank ,thee4 ,the morning hours come to us freighted with messages of gladness4 ,thou1 our ,father1 art refreshing our spirits1 and home seems dearer1 love more sacred and the way of duty clearer before our waiting feet4 ,we thank ,thee for life as it is given us1 day by day4 ,help us to fill it with honest1 cheerful1 fruitful service4 ,may we realize and rejoice in the nobility of labor1 and may we learn how it is that a child of ,thine1 standing in his own place1 giving himself to the tasks of the hour1 imparts strength and courage to his fellow-worker1 and helps the world forward in the path of righteousness and peace4 ,so may ,thy will be done in and through us4 ,amen4 ,,john ,p4 ,,forbes4 ,may #bj ,o the green things growing1 the green things growing ,the faint sweet smell of the green things growing6 ,i should like to live1 whether ,i smile or grieve1 ,just to watch the happy life of my green things growing4 ,,dinah ,,mulock ,,craig4 ,not all these sweets1 these sounds1 this vernal blaze1 ,is but one joy1 express'd a thousand ways2 ,and honey from the flowers1 and song of birds1 ,are from the poet's pen1 his overflowing words4 ,,leigh ,,hunt4 ,o ,thou who art the ,creator of life in every form in which it is expressed in the earth1 we thank ,thee for the grass and the flowers1 the trees and the shrubs1 the music of the streams and the melody of the birds4 ,as nature is ever vocal with ,thy praise1 so may our hearts be attuned to deepest joy that we are a part of ,thy creation and made capable of constant exultation in the beauty and the beneficence of ,thy purpose therein displayed4 ,in this spirit may we rejoice and be glad in this new day which ,thou hast made for us4 ,amen4 ,i4 ,j4 ,,mead4 ,may #ba ,as one familiar with the sonatas and the symphonies of ,beethoven1 while passing along the street in summer1 gets1 from out of the open window1 a snatch of a song or a piece that is being played1 catching a strain here and another there--and says to himself1 ,ah1 that is ,beethoven4 ,i recognize that3 it is from such and such a movement of the ,pastoral or whatever it may be2--so men in life catch strains of ,god in the mother's disinterested and self-denying love1 in the lover's glow1 in the little child's innocent affections4 ,where did this thing come from8 ,no plant ever brought out such fruit as this8 ,,henry ,,ward ,,beecher4 ,father of all and giver of every good thing1 to ,thee we pray2 to ,thee we look for light1 for truth1 for beauty4 ,in the travail of thought may there come only the highest and best good4 ,where there is division we ask for unity2 where there is confusion we ask for serenity2 where there is discord1 we ask for harmony4 ,may divergent paths lead to the larger way of widening vision1 distinctive service1 unstinted love4 ,hasten the day when ,thy purpose shall be accomplished in us1 and when that which is now imperfect shall become the perfected whole4 ,grant to us wisdom to pursue noble ends with intelligent zeal1 and patient effort1 and in a charitable and hopeful spirit4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,c4 ,,clark4 ,may #bb ,it is very interesting to watch a plant grow1 it is like taking part in creation4 ,when all outside is cold and white1 when the little children of the woodland are gone to their nurseries in the warm earth and the empty nests on the bare trees filled with snow1 my window-garden glows and smiles1 making summer within while it is winter without4 ,it is wonderful to see flowers bloom in the midst of a snow-storm6 ,i have felt a bud shyly doff her green hood and blossom with a silken burst of sound1 while the icy fingers of the snow beat against the window panes4 ,what secret power1 ,i wonder1 caused this blossoming miracle8 ,what mysterious force guided the seedling from the dark earth up to the light1 through leaf and stem and bud1 to glorious fulfilment in the perfect flower8 ,who could have dreamed that such beauty lurked in the dark earth1 was latent in the tiny seed we planted8 ,beautiful flower1 you have taught me to see a little way into the hidden heart of things4 ,now ,i understand that the darkness everywhere may hold possibilities better than even my hopes4 ,,helen ,,keller4 ,grant us1 ,o ,god1 this day1 vitality of brain and heart1 to lay hold on the ordinary events and experiences of life1 and transmute them into beautiful and permanent values for ourselves and others4 ,may we have courage1 love and faithfulness1 to conquer adversities and fulfil our duties4 ,and should the winter of discontent and disappointment beat without against our souls1 even so may ,thy ,kingdom come4 ,amen4 ,,julius ,p4 ,,west4 ,may #bc ,brother--there is no payment in the world6 ,we work and pour our labor at the feet ,of those who are around us and to come4 ,we live and take our living at the hands ,of those who are around us and have been4 ,no one is paid4 ,no person can have more ,than he can hold4 ,and none can do beyond ,the power that's in him4 ,to each child that's born ,belongs as much of all our human good ,as he can take and use to make him strong4 ,and from each man1 debtor to all the world1 ,is due the fullest fruit of all his powers1 ,his whole life's labor1 proudly rendered up1 ,not as return--can moments pay an age8 ,but as the simple duty of a man4 ,can he do less--receiving everything8 ,,charlotte ,,perkins ,,gilman4 ,o1 ,thou ,most ,bountiful ,giver6 ,we thank ,thee this morning for all the conveniences and comforts1 the stored knowledge and acquired wisdom1 the inspirations and encouragements of our daily life4 ,truly others have lived as ,thy children and labored as ,thy servants1 by mind and hand and heart1 and we are wondrously permitted to enter into the fruits of their labours4 ,grant unto us this day1 ,o ,father1 so to strive and so to live that some other life may be cheered and blessed by the spirit and by the fruit of our day's service4 ,may our thoughts and words and deeds somehow express our gratitude for the blessings which we are constantly receiving4 ,amen4 ,,william ,h4 ,,gould4 ,may #bd ,what a wonderful thing it is to meet a man or woman whose manners are instantly open and free--opening up a direct road between him or her and yourself6 ,,edward ,,carpenter4 ,there is a world in us that ,god keeps to himself1 except when ,he calls some few souls1 with special errand for us1 to receive a glimpse4 ,it is full of life1 and growths1 and wonders1 that are to be developed and revealed4 ,we ourselves know not what we shall be2 but ,he knows that we shall be like ,him4444 ,it is the world of the spiritual microscope4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,our ,father and ,mother ,god1--we have cried for ,thee as little children cry for parental love to wait upon their wants1 and1 like babes that cry1 we have looked for ,thee in nothing else4 ,we would be now ,thy sons and daughters of a larger growth1 who learn to find ,thee in a more complete and blessed fellowship of service and sacrifice with ,thee1 of united thought and will with ,thine1 of such living as shares in ,thy perfect and eternal life4 ,help us so to be and so to live that even in ourselves we may get glimpses of ,thine infinite good will and faithfulness1 and show in our human lives1 that ,god is in ,his world and all is well4 ,amen4 ,,george ,w4 ,,kent4 ,may #be ,what are we set on earth for8 ,say to toil3 ,nor to seek to leave the tending of thy vines1 ,for all the heat of the day1 till it declines1 ,and death's mild curfew shall from work assoil4 ,god did anoint thee with ,his odorous oil ,to wrestle1 not to reign2 and he assigns ,all thy tears over1 like pure crystallines1 ,for younger fellow-workers of the soil ,to wear for amulets4 ,so others shall ,take patience1 labor1 to their heart and hand1 ,from thy hand1 and thy heart1 and thy brave cheer1 ,and ,god's grace fructify through thee to all4 ,the least flower with a brimming cup may stand1 ,and share its dewdrop with another near4 ,,elizabeth ,,barrett ,,browning4 ,our ,father ,in ,heaven1 we devoutly thank ,thee for that ceaseless and refreshing tide of blessing that1 from the reservoir of ,thine exhaustless goodness1 flows into our hearts and lives4 ,and we further thank ,thee that among the choicest of those blessings1 is the one of being1 not merely the receptacles of this inflow1 but also co-workers with ,thee1 and with ,thy ,son1 our ,saviour1 ,jesus ,christ1 in carrying forward to successful issue ,thy beneficent purposes of grace and salvation4 ,grant us1 we beseech ,thee1 day by day1 such an infusion of ,thy ,holy ,spirit as shall fittingly equip us for the gladsome and effective discharge of the duties of this divine relation1 and its exalted privileges4 ,all of which grant for ,thy mercy's sake4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,p4 ,,nash4 ,may #bf ,the deepest secret of life is love4 ,without love there is no enthusiasm1 and without ideals there is no enthusiasm4 ,we freeze our hearts by selfishness1 and stifle them by sordidness4 ,we fix our eyes upon the little field circumscribed by our day's activities and ends4 ,with no wide-reaching affection and no uplifting ideal1 we make of our life a treadmill and of our duty an unwelcome drudgery4 ,we disclaim the highest endowment of the soul and deny our sonship to ,god4 ,narrow faiths and narrow hopes put fetters on the spirit1 and small affections keep small the heart4 ,,philip ,s4 ,,moxom4 ,our ,father1 every morning is a fresh witness of ,thy loving kindness4 ,when we sleep the vigils of ,thy love are round about us4 ,at the threshold of this new day1 may it please ,thee to inspire us with lofty aims1 so that we may rise out of our selfish selves into conscious kinship with ,thee4 ,help us to know the mystery of love1 how limitless and all-conquering it is4 ,animated by its sweet law1 may we go out into this great1 needy world with hearts to sympathize and words to cheer and hands to minister4 ,then we shall know the divine sweetness of our ,christian faith1 the joy of ,christlike living2 we shall know that love is the fulfilling of the law4 ,amen4 ,q4 ,h4 ,,shinn4 ,may #bg ,every day is a fresh beginning1 ,every morn is the world made new4 ,you who are weary of sorrow and sinning1 ,here is a beautiful hope for you1 ,a hope for me and a hope for you4 ,every day is a fresh beginning2 ,listen1 my soul1 to the glad refrain1 ,and1 spite of old sorrow and older sinning1 ,and puzzles forecasted and possible pain1 ,take heart with the day1 and begin again4 ,,susan ,,coolidge4 ,o ,thou1 who makest all things new1 we are glad each day is not only a new day but one unlike any before it4 ,everything breathes freshness and newness of life2 a new heaven is over our heads1 a new earth beneath our feet4 ,we know this day will be full of new opportunities for work1 new scenes for pleasure1 new chances to make better our lives4 ,if yesterday was not all we could wish1 if there were failures in duty1 or loss of faith in ourselves1 and ,thy great love1 may this be filled with larger faith1 greater hope1 complete love4 ,may we so take heart in this quiet morning hour1 that we may be brave and faithful all the day1 so that in spite of old sorrows and older sins1 the memory of which may now and then shadow our way1 we may find ourselves when the evening shall come1 nearer heaven in heart and life1 and more worthy to be called ,thy children4 ,amen4 ,,william ,f4 ,,potter4 ,may #bh ,o friend1 never strike sail to a fear6 ,come into port greatly1 or sail with ,god the seas4444 ,he has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,there is no storm but this ,of your own cowardice ,that braves you out2 ,you are the storm that mocks ,yourself2 you are the rocks ,of your own doubt2 ,besides this fear of danger there's no danger here ,and he that here fears danger does deserve his fear4 ,,richard ,,crashaw4 ,thou knowest1 ,o ,lord1 the weakness of our human nature1 and how prone we are not only to shrink from the difficulties and to tremble at the dangers which lie in our way1 but to allow imaginary difficulties and dangers to hinder us from living as ,thy children should4 ,help us1 we pray ,thee1 to be free from all such fear today4 ,be ,thou our refuge from whatsoever may threaten us1 either without or within4 ,deliver us from faint-heartedness and enable us to stand fast in the glorious liberty of those who fear nothing but to offend against ,thee and to wrong their own immortal souls4 ,we ask it as disciples of ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,edwin ,c4 ,,sweetser4 ,may #bi ,whichever way the wind doth blow1 ,some heart is glad to have it so2 ,then blow it east or blow it west1 ,the wind that blows1 that wind is best4 ,my little craft sails not alone3 ,a thousand fleets from every zone ,are out upon a thousand seas2 ,and what for me were favoring breeze ,might dash another1 with the shock ,of doom1 upon some hidden rock4 ,and so ,i do not dare to pray ,for winds to waft me on my way1 ,but leave it to a ,higher ,will ,to stay or speed me2 trusting still ,that all is well1 and sure that ,he ,who launched my bark will sail with me ,through storm and calm1 and will not fail1 ,whatever breezes may prevail1 ,to land me1 every peril past1 ,within ,his sheltering heaven at last4 ,,caroline ,,atwater ,,mason4 ,o ,lord let us know that we do not sail life's seas alone4 ,thou art the ,god of the storms4 ,thou goest with us whithersoever we go4 ,grant us1 our ,heavenly ,father1 that we may not suffer shipwreck of our faith4 ,grant us that the voyage of our lives may be prosperous1 and that at last1 whether soon or late we shall find some harbor of rest and peace4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,may #cj ,our ,memorial ,day celebrations will be but a hypocritical play-acting unless they shall remind us of the cause and the country for which our brave soldiers gave their lives4 ,it is not enough for us to recall their names and sing their praises4 ,we must love the country they loved and in our turn be ready to do the hero's part4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,but what is it to love one's country8 ,is it to carry a banner in a procession8 ,is it to shout as we see the flag8 ,is it to fling bunting from the tops of the buildings1 and send off sky-rockets in the evenings8 ,vastly deeper than that is love of country1 deeper than any soldier's uniform1 deeper than any pictures of battleships with which we adorn our walls4 ,w4 ,h4 ,p4 ,,faunce4 ,god of the ,nations1 we thank ,thee today for every heroic deed of every heroic soul4 ,we rejoice that in every hour of real emergency there have ever been men who were ready to die for their country4 ,o ,lord1 may the memory of their sacrifice ever remain to us and to the children of coming generations a sacred heritage4 ,yet1 ,o ,lord1 let us not be satisfied to glorify their deeds with a memory4 ,let us do them the higher honor of consecrating our lives to the service of the country they loved4 ,so shall we1 in the honor we render them find the title to our honor4 ,thus in our land and in our time may ,thy ,kingdom come and ,thy will be done4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,may #ca ,to be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars2 to be satisfied with your possessions1 but not contented with yourself until you have made the best of them2 to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness1 and to fear nothing except cowardice2 to be governed by your admirations rather than your dislikes2 to covet nothing that is your neighbor's except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners2 to think seldom of your enemies1 often of your friends1 and every day of ,christ2 and to spend as much time as you can1 with body and with spirit in ,god's out-of-doors--these are little guide-posts on the footpath to peace4 ,,henry ,,van ,,dyke4 ,o ,thou ,god of peace and of love4 ,how shall we come to ,thee8 ,how shall we share ,thy strength and know ,thy life8 ,let us commune with ,thy gracious spirit and so learn ,thy way4 ,how beautiful the vision which prayer unfolds to us when we worship in spirit and truth6 ,we see the virtues which ennoble and sanctify other lives4 ,sweet and tender patience appears and in her light ruffled and distorted tempers are subdued and clothed in their right mind4 ,faith is seen and as irresolution and doubt take their flight1 confident trust and cherished conviction appear in magnetic power4 ,so1 ,o ,lord1 would we read the signs which other lives present4 ,so would we strengthen our own aspirations and make real the vision4 ,so1 ,o ,father1 would we find ,thy peace4 ,amen4 ,,augustine ,n4 ,,foster4 ,june #a ,a season for simple living with the kindly sun and the blue sky1 days of keen delight in little things1 of joyous questing after beauty1 days for the making of true friends by being a true friend to others1 days when we may enlarge our little lives by excursions to strange places1 by friendly association1 by the companionship of great thoughts1 days that may teach us to live nobly1 to work joyously1 to play harder1 to do our labor better4 ,so should each ,june bring us indeed a golden summer4 ,,edwin ,,osgood ,,grover4 ,heavenly ,father1 ,thou givest all good things4 ,we thank ,thee for life and hope and cheer4 ,in gratitude we consecrate this day to blessing ,thy children1 and so to serving ,thee who hast said1 ,inasmuch as ye have done it unto these1 ye have done it unto ,me4 ,teach us the gladness of a life responsive to ,thy messages through ,nature4 ,grant us the joy of making friends by being friendly with our fellow men4 ,whatsoever we may do1 at work or at play1 may it be in the spirit of the ,saviour4 ,we begin this day with ,thee4 ,by its ministries may our comrades be helped and our lives together be made nobler1 stronger1 and well-pleasing in ,thy sight4 ,amen4 ,,maurice ,a4 ,,levy4 ,june #b ,over the shoulders and slopes of the dune1 ,i saw the white daisies go down to the sea1 ,a host in the sunshine1 an army in ,june1 ,the people ,god sends us to set our hearts free4 ,the bobolinks rallied them up from the dell1 ,the orioles whistled them out of the wood1 ,and all of their singing was ,earth1 it is well1 ,and all of their dancing was1 ,life1 ,thou art good6 ,,bliss ,,carman4 ,o ,thou1 who art the ,father of ,light and ,love1 from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift1 we thank ,thee for this new born day1 which ,thou sendest us1 for the splendor of ,thy presence in the sunlit sky above us and the blossoming earth beneath2 for spring-time flowers that border our paths with loveliness and happy bird song1 lifting our hearts to responsive joy and praise4 ,we thank ,thee for life and health1 for home and friends1 for opportunities and duties1 for temptations and trials1 yea1 for the very sorrows and bereavements which bring us to ourselves in penitence1 to others in sympathy1 and to ,thee in faith and adoration4 ,thy will be done6 ,thy kingdom come6 ,amen4 ,,charles ,w4 ,,wendte4 ,june #c ,one small life in ,god's great plan1 ,how futile it seems as the ages roll1 ,do what it may1 or strive how it can1 ,to alter the sweep of the infinite whole6 ,a single stitch in an endless web1 ,a drop in the ocean's flow and ebb6 ,but the pattern is rent where the stitch is lost1 ,or marred where the tangled threads have crossed2 ,and each life that fails of its true intent ,mars the perfect plan that its ,maker meant4 ,,susan ,,coolidge4 ,o ,thou1 the heavenly ,father1 in whom we live and move1 whose life-giving spirit is ever around us like the air we breathe1--we lift our thoughts to ,thee in reverence and gladness at the coming of the new day4 ,we are glad for the quiet hours of the night1 while the stars shine over us4 ,may we be ready now1 with willing and obedient hearts1 for the work1 the cares1 the joys and the friendly converse of the day4 ,we know how small our lives are2 may we share the thoughts of ,thy infinite mind1 may ,thy power and beauty1 ,thy justice and goodness possess us4 ,may our feeble wills be strong to carry the current of the one ,good ,will that sways the universe4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,f4 ,,dole4 ,june #d ,i have lived1 sir1 a long time2 and the longer ,i live1 the more convincing proofs ,i see of this truth1 that ,god governs in the affairs of men4 ,,benjamin ,,franklin4 ,all ,i have seen teaches me to trust the ,creator for all ,i have not seen4 ,whatever it be which the great ,providence prepares for us1 it must be something large and generous2 and in the great style of ,his works4 ,the future must be up to the style of our faculties1 of memory1 of hope1 of imagination1 of reason4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,o ,thou1 who in ,thy greatness holds the planets on their way1 and in ,thy providence guides the sparrow's flight1 and in ,thy tenderness marks the sparrow's fall1 may we not be blind to ,thy foot-prints in the events of every day1 but see them guiding our way and feel more and more ,thy love4 ,father1 we ask not for great things1 but we ask ,thee to help us in the little needs and longings that fill our every day1 to be the strength of our every endeavor1 that in our daily walk1 we may feel that the earth is warm with life and joy1 that the air is full of strength1 that there comes to us from every side some message1 sweet and tender1 if only we can be patient1 trustful1 believing that all things work together for good to them who seek to do ,thy will ,amen4 ,,joshua ,,young4 ,june #e ,and do not fear to hope4 ,can poet's brain ,more than the ,father's heart rich good invent8 ,each time we smell the autumn's dying scent1 ,we know the primrose time will come again2 ,not more we hope1 nor less would soothe our pain4 ,be bounteous in our faith1 for not misspent ,is confidence unto the ,father lent3 ,thy need is sown and rooted for his rain1 ,his thoughts are as thine own2 nor are his ways ,other than thine1 but by their loftier sense ,of beauty infinite and love intense4 ,work on6 ,one day1 beyond all thought of praise ,a sunny joy will crown thee with its rays2 ,nor other than thy need1 thy recompense4 ,,george ,,macdonald4 ,our ,father1 in the gratitude of loved and loving children we thank ,thee for life and all the faith and hope and love ,thy goodness has awakened in our souls4 ,for the splendors of the world and the greater splendor of the mind radiant with ,thy love1 we bow in rapture and adoration4 ,overwhelmed at times by the mysteries and vicissitudes of life1 we will trust ,thy will to lead us out of darkness into the light of ,thine informing spirit of truth and wisdom4 ,conscious of our weakness and needs1 we rejoice that strength and supply are assured to us in the permanence of ,thy ,fatherhood4 ,lead us more and ever more to realize that in ,thee we live and move and have our being4 ,amen4 ,,richmond ,,fisk4 ,june #f ,when a feller goes a-huntin' for a rose ,he shouldn't be a-thinkin' of the thorn2 ,he must woo it1 he must win it-- ,where his heart beats he must pin it ,an' breathe the breath that's in it ,every morn6 ,when a feller goes a-huntin' for a rose ,he shouldn't see the thorn beneath its breast1 ,but for all its thorny foes4 ,red and reckless1--one poor rose ,is sweet enough1 ,god knows1 ,for the best4 ,,frank ,l4 ,,stanton4 ,o ,lord1 our ,god1 so great is our life we may find that for which we look1--the good or the bad4 ,send us into this day with eyes searching for the good4 ,beholding it may we admire it and admiring it we shall become like it changed into the same image from character to character by the ,spirit4 ,may we be more concerned to do right than not to do wrong4 ,save us from a humility that is weakness and give us largeness of life without pride4 ,may we want nothing so much as opportunity1--opportunity to be1 to do1 to suffer4 ,may we not strive for bigness but for fitness and may our reception of the ,christ be our forgiveness and our salvation for ,his name's sake4 ,amen4 ,t4 ,c4 ,,martin4 ,june #g ,the beauty of work depends upon the way we meet it1--whether we arm ourselves each morning to attack it as an enemy that must be vanquished before night comes1 or whether we open our eyes with the sunrise to welcome it as an approaching friend who will keep us delightful company all day1 and who will make us feel at evening1 that the day was well worth its fatigues4 ,,lucy ,,larcom4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 ,thou givest us light for the hours of labor and darkness for the hours of slumber4 ,we toil and then we rest4 ,we sleep and then we arise1 to perform the tasks which await us4 ,convince us1 ,o ,god1 that the life which ,thou hast given us to live is more than working that we may rest1 and resting that we may work4 ,persuade us that it is for some great and good end4 ,help us to understand that even as we live in ,thee so ,thou dost fulfil ,thine eternal purposes in and through us4 ,teach us that our smallest effort is important to ,thee4 ,so may we dread no duty4 ,so may every moment of every day be precious in our sight4 ,amen4 ,,roger ,s4 ,,forbes4 ,june #h ,and those who heard the ,singers three ,disputed which the best might be2 ,for still their music seemed to start ,discordant echoes in each heart4 ,but the great ,master said1 ,i see ,no best in kind1 but in degree2 ,i gave a various gift to each1 ,to charm1 to strengthen1 and to teach4 ,these are the three great chords of might1 ,and he whose ear is tuned aright1 ,will hear no discord in the three1 ,but the most perfect harmony4 ,,henry ,w4 ,,longfellow4 ,o ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for all ,thy mercies new every morning1 and fresh every evening1 but especially we bless ,thee that ,thou callest us to ,thy service and kingdom by ,jesus ,christ1 our ,lord1 and hast vouchsafed to each of us some gracious gift whereby we may accomplish ,thy holy will concerning us4 ,grant that we may so improve and use that pearl of price as to enhance greatly the welfare of ,thy children4 ,help each to see the good in all1 and all to see the good in each1 that all may strive together in sinless and sweet accord for the common weal and thus for the glory of ,thy name1 and so hasten the happy day when all souls shall be one1 as prayed the ,saviour of the world4 ,amen4 ,,alfred ,p4 ,,putnam4 ,june #i ,men talk sometimes as if the passage of a ship through the sea or a bird through the air is a fit symbol of man's passage through this world4 ,i do not think so4 ,a better symbol would be the passage of a plough through the soil leaving a furrow behind4 ,what does the furrow include8 ,all the memory of every beautiful picture and landscape you have ever seen4 ,it includes the memory of every experience1 every sweet association1 every tie of love1 whether of father1 mother1 wife or children4 ,all these1 whether living or dead1 speak to you4 ,they have a voice1 a language that you will understand4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o ,god1 for the many influences past and present which have had a share in the moulding of our lives and characters toward a larger usefulness and a more perfect realization of the ,christian ideal4 ,we thank ,thee for the mother's love which watched over us through years of helplessness2 for the father's love which made provision for our wants1 for the human sympathy which has everywhere blessed and strengthened us and made life brighter2 for the friends of youth and age who have helped us to better things4 ,grant1 ,o ,god1 that a memory of these blessings may abide with us so long as life may last1 and that as we have been helped by others to walk the way of life we may not forget to extend a helping hand to those who may need our comfort and our sympathy4 ,,orin ,,edson ,,crooker4 ,june #aj ,it is not to taste sweet things1 but to do noble and true things1 and vindicate himself under ,god's heaven1 as a ,god-made man1 that the poorest son of ,adam dimly longs4 ,this dim longing for what is noble and true1 the still small voice which calls to one imperatively in moments of temptation1 is the safeguard which1 if hearkened to1 not only protects one in severe trials of manliness and womanliness1 but also incites to the formation of a fine character1 without which all acquisitions1 all graces and accomplishments1 all talents and all learning1 are but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal4 ,,thomas ,,carlyle4 ,almighty ,god1 our heavenly ,father1 in grateful recognition of ,thy love and watchful care1 we thank ,thee for the repose of the night and the promise of the day4 ,our desire is to do ,thy will1 and we ask for the guidance and inspiration of ,thy spirit4 ,enable us to perform faithfully all the work that ,thou hast given us to do4 ,grant us a sufficiency of ,thy grace to treat all our fellowmen as children of ,thine1 and when night comes may we have the blessed assurance that through the experiences of this day we have become a little more like ,thine own glorious self in love and holiness4 ,we ask it in the name of ,jesus1 our example1 and ,saviour4 ,amen4 ,,warren ,s4 ,,perkins4 ,june #aa ,now it is ,june1 and the secret is told2 ,flashed from the buttercup's glory of gold2 ,hummed in the bumblebee's gladness1 and sung ,new from each bough where a bird's nest is swung2 ,breathed from the clover-beds1 when the winds pass2 ,chirped in small psalms1 through the aisles of the grass4 ,,henry ,,james1 ,,sr4 ,dear ,father1 in the morning hour of this new day1 we thank ,thee for the glorious revelation of ,thyself in the open ,book of ,nature4 ,may we love the beautiful and therein love ,thee1 with a true and abiding affection4 ,grant unto us the understanding that it is only as we have the spirit of the beautiful in our lives that we can appreciate the beautiful without us4 ,so may we value this life1 which is from ,thee1 as a means of attaining a larger usefulness and for realizing that goodness which is ever heavenly4 ,in simply trying to be nobler1 more unselfish1 like unto ,christ1 we pray1 that we may learn how good is life4 ,amen4 ,,thomas ,,edward ,,potterton4 ,june #ab ,methinks ,i love all common things1 ,the common air1 the common flower1 ,the dear1 kind1 common thought that springs ,from hearts that have no other dower1 ,no other wealth1 no other power1 ,save love2 and will not that repay ,for all else fortune tears away8 ,,bryan ,,waller ,,procter4 ,we thank ,god for the beauty of the world4 ,we thank ,god that it is good to be alive4 ,we thank ,god for the joy that joins us to ,thy world in gladness1 and makes it seem to be the open book of ,thy graciousness and tenderness and compassion4 ,we thank ,thee also for the ministry of those days that were not bright1 but that were full of comfort1 even in their darkness1 into which ,god came shrouded1 only to reveal ,himself more clearly as the light4 ,we thank ,thee for the intervening by the hand of love and tenderness that is human1 so that our best nature was called out for love's sake1 and all the lower forces of our lives led in the leash of that sweet attraction4 ,we thank ,god for everything for which our life is better1 and pray ,thee to help us to use ,thy mercies to turn them into strength1 not the strength of praise alone1 but the strength of service also4 ,amen4 ,,thomas ,r4 ,,slicer4 ,june #ac ,a creed is a rod1 ,and a crown is of night2 ,but this thing is ,god1 ,to be man with thy might1 ,to grow straight in the strength of thy spirit1 and live out thy life as the light4 ,,algernon ,,charles ,,swinburne4 ,life is fuller and sweeter for every fulness and sweetness that we take knowledge of4 ,and to him that hath1 cannot help being given from everything4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,infinite ,love and ,beauty1 who stirrest in the tiniest seed that breaks its earthly shell to greet the light and warmth of thy beneficence and round its life in blade and flower and ripened fruit1--awake in us1 we pray1 that we may burst the casements of our dead selves and live to bear the fruits of completed lives4 ,be love alone our creed and service our crown2 and in the sweetness and light of these twin ministers draw ,thou us on1 until having taken full knowledge of the fulness and sweetness of our ,lord the ,christ1 we shall have measured in our spiritual stature1 ,his perfect manliness and strength4 ,thus shall we have indeed and to us shall be given from everything4 ,amen4 ,,albert ,c4 ,,white4 ,june #ad ,he fails who climbs to power and place ,up the pathway of disgrace4 ,he fails not who makes truth his cause1 ,nor bends to win the crowd's applause4 ,he fails not1 he who stakes his all ,upon the right and dares to fall4 ,what though the living bless or blame1 ,for him the long success of fame6 ,,richard ,,watson ,,gilder4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 help us when we fail to see and know the truth and its blessed influence for good4 ,help us to combat bravely the evil in the world and to look to ,thee for encouragement and success4 ,help us1 if we fail1 to regain our footing and to reach the higher because of the effort which ,thy love prompts4 ,we gratefully accept the power which ,thy wisdom gives and thank ,thee for the opportunity to use its strength4 ,be ,thou our guide and we shall fear no failure1 nor overestimate the worth of success4 ,so shall we rejoice in the ,lord always1--in failure because of ,thy help and in success because of ,thine approval4 ,in the name of ,jesus ,christ our ,lord and ,redeemer4 ,amen4 ,,william ,e4 ,,gibbs4 ,june #ae ,a singer sang a song of tears1 ,and the great world heard and wept ,for the song of the sorrows of fleeting years1 ,and the hopes which the dead past kept3 ,and souls in anguish their burdens bore1 ,and the world was sadder than ever before4 ,a singer sang a song of cheer1 ,and the great world listened and smiled1 ,for he sang of the love of a ,father dear ,and the trust of a little child2 ,and souls that before had forgotten to pray1 ,looked up and went singing along the way4 ,,emma ,c4 ,,dowd4 ,almighty ,god1 our heavenly ,father1 our trust is evermore in ,thee1 and we would keep that trust as a song within our hearts1 which may cheer and bless and strengthen us4 ,when the night is dark and the day is dreary may that song be with us1 and when cares oppress and sorrows meet us1 may our prayers still rise to ,thee1 for ,thou art the ,god of our lives4 ,let not the day's discouragements depress us1 nor its failures find us weak or helpless1 nor its trials leave a stain upon our souls4 ,but because we have ,thy song of love within our hearts may we march to heavenly music1 and ever go upon our way rejoicing4 ,amen4 ,,paul ,,revere ,,frothingham4 ,june #af ,it is only the sincerity of human feeling that abides4 ,as for a thought1 we know not1 it may be deceptive2 but the love1 wherewith we have loved it1 will surely return to our soul2 nor can a single drop of its clearness or strength be abstracted by error4 ,of that perfect ideal that each of us strives to build up in himself1 the sum total of all our thoughts will help only to model the outline2 but the elements that go to construct it1 and keep it alive1 are the purified passion1 unselfishness1 loyalty1 wherein these thoughts have had being4 ,,maeterlinck4 ,o ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 help us to take up the cares of this day with an unselfish heart1 and in loyalty to what is right and good4 ,keep us in right relation to those with whom our lot is cast1 in sympathy with the unanxious joy of the world and with the deeper life which is its source4 ,we desire to enter into the thought and the love of the most hopeful souls1 that1 in all the needful pauses of the day1 we may find cheer1 incentive1 and the ampler rest3 through ,jesus ,christ1 our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,h4 ,,leonard4 ,june #ag ,does the road wind up-hill all the way8 ,yes1 to the very end6 ,will the day's journey take the whole long day8 ,from morn to night1 my friend6 ,but is there for the night a resting-place8 ,a roof for all when the dark hours begin4 ,may not the darkness hide it from my face8 ,you cannot miss that inn4 ,shall ,i meet other wayfarers at night8 ,those who have gone before4 ,then must ,i knock or call when just in sight8 ,they will not keep you standing at that door4 ,shall ,i find comfort1 travel-sore and weak8 ,of labor you shall find the sum4 ,will there be beds for me and all who seek8 ,yea1--beds for all who come6 ,,christina ,,rossetti4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for this new day4 ,may it be an open door to faithful service4 ,open our eyes that we may see all vexations1 distresses1 and toil as angels in disguise sent to strengthen and fulfil us1 to prepare us for larger blessings at our journey's end4 ,as the blue sky of ,thy loving kindness is broader and more enduring than the clouds that sometimes hide it1 so teach us to trust ,thine unfailing love that overarches and outlasts all weariness and pain4 ,when life and strength fail us here1 may we find them transformed and glorious in the city of ,god hereafter4 ,be ,thou our shield and our reward now and forever4 ,amen4 ,,john ,m4 ,,wilson4 ,june #ah ,those homelier wildflowers1 which we call weeds2 yellow japanned buttercups and star-disked dandelions1 lying in the grass1 like sparks that have leaped from the kindling sun of summer2 the profuse daisy-like flower which whitens the fields1 to the great disgust of liberal shepherds1 yet seems fair to loving eyes1 with its button-like mound of gold set round with milk-white rays2 the tall-stemmed succory1 setting its pale blue flowers aflame one after another2 the red and white clovers2 the broad1 flat leaves of the plantain1--the white man's foot1 as the ,indians called it2--those common growths which fling themselves to be crushed under our feet and our wheels1 making themselves so cheap in this perpetual martyrdom that we forget1 each of them is a ray of the divine beauty4 ,,oliver ,,wendell ,,holmes4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 however poor and mean and commonplace our lives may seem to be1 in our better moments we think of ourselves as ,thy children4 ,we may have failed sometimes but we shall not utterly fail4 ,in ,thy sight1 nothing is common or worthless4 ,no life shall be cast as rubbish to the void4 ,however commonplace our tasks may seem1 let us feel ourselves in partnership with ,god1 and go forth to the duties of the day with high hope and sense of dignity4 ,so shalt ,thou make even our little lives of some real service to the world4 ,we pray to ,thee in the spirit of ,him1 who though the humblest of all1 was yet ,master of all4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,june #ai ,there's a real grace of character in forgetting the things which disturb the harmony of life4 ,,hamilton ,w4 ,,mabie4 ,touch your lips with gladness and go singing on your way1 ,smiles will strangely lighten every duty2 ,just a little word of cheer may span a sky of gray ,with hope's own heaven-tinted bow of beauty4 ,wear a pleasant face wherein shall shine a joyful heart1 ,as shines the sun1 the happy fields adorning2 ,to every care-beclouded life some ray of light impart1 ,and touch your lips with gladness every morning4 ,,nixon ,,waterman4 ,o ,thou who art from everlasting to everlasting1 ,our ,god and ,father1 we flee unto ,thee as the ,one who is able to save us from all foes within and without4 ,we confess our weakness and our many grievous faults1 and beseech ,thee to touch us by ,thy ,spirit1 that with penitent and lowly hearts we may seek ,thee as our everlasting ,friend and ,helper4 ,be patient yet a while with our shortcomings and frowardness4 ,suffer us yet a little that ,thine infinite grace and compassion may arouse us from our spiritual slumber unto the glorious life of obedience and love4 ,in this new day we would be made to feel ,thy presence and the light and joy and peace1 which ,thou dost promise to all who diligently seek ,thee through ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,clarence ,e4 ,,rice4 ,june #bj ,now is the high tide of the year1 ,and whatever of life hath ebbed away ,comes flooding back with a ripply cheer1 ,into every bare inlet and creek and bay2 ,now the heart is so full that a drop overfills it1 ,we are happy now because ,god wills it4 ,,james ,,russell ,,lowell4 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord ,god ,almighty6 early in the morning we approach unto ,thee4 ,the whole round of creation is burdened with the exuberance of ,thy life1 and everywhere is hallowed ground4 ,we come with unshod feet4 ,the sun1 mighty minister of ,thy great goodness1 flooding the world with light and piercing all things with his fiery arrows1 calls back to life the sleeping earth1 and assures us that we are partakers of ,thy light and ,thy love and ,thy life4 ,o most glorious ,god6 may these ,thy mercies1 fresh every morning1 be with us through the day to strengthen us to do ,thy will1 we ask in the name of ,him who came that we may have life and have it abundantly4 ,amen4 ,,frank ,w4 ,,collier4 ,june #ba ,man hath much need of courage2 and need to brace ,his spiritual nerve in solitude2 ,self-trusting1 self-sustained1 and self-imbued2 ,seeking ,god in his own heart's secret place4 ,to perfect self1 and in that self embrace ,the triune essence of truth1 beauty1 and good2 ,this is fulfilment1 this beatitude ,throned high above base fears and hopes more base4 ,what shall it profit us1 if1 gaining all ,the privilege of priest-made paradise1 ,we lose therewith our self which is the soul8 ,and wherefore should we shrink from even the fall1 ,if haply we should fail with steadfast eyes ,fixed only on so bright1 so pure a goal8 ,,john ,,addington ,,symonds4 ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for the gift of a new day1 for the tasks which it brings1 and for the strength with which we rise to its requirements4 ,help us1 through all this day1 to remember ,thee4 ,thou art our strength1 our guide1 our inspiration4 ,fill us with the courage born of faith4 ,let us feel that1 seeking to do right1 we shall be moved and aided by an unseen ,power4 ,in all our experiences this day1 help us to speak the truth1 to be loyal to friendship1 to be steadfast in principle1 to fight the good fight and to keep the faith4 ,bless our endeavors to give heart and hope to other souls2 and grant them the presence of ,thy loving spirit4 ,amen4 ,,john ,,clarence ,,lee4 ,june #bb ,let a man start out at breakneck speed in the morning1 pushing and driving and hurrying as if it were a matter of life and death to accomplish a given task before noon1 and he will generally end by working himself into a fever of anxiety and harassing care before night1 and the man who1 under any pretext whatsoever1 whether for the sake of wealth or learning or pleasure1 has pursued this mad1 rushing1 whirling method of life for fifteen or twenty years1 will find himself thoroughly disqualified for the normal enjoyment of life thenceforward to the end of his days4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,most gracious ,god6 ,thou who hast sustained us through the night watches1 and who now openest to us the day1 with its promise of good and opportunity for service1 we still depend upon that heavenly faithfulness which never fails4 ,we look to ,thee for the quickening of our best powers4 ,we would be laborers together with ,thee to-day1 not as driven to irksome tasks1 but as honored with a welcome privilege4 ,whether we plant or water may we do it faithfully1 and then trust ,thee for the desired increase4 ,may it please ,thee to quiet our anxieties1 to lay to rest our unworthy fears1 and to assure us of ,thine over-ruling providence2 and thus through all our toiling may we enjoy large measures of the peace that passeth understanding4 ,amen4 ,,james ,,edward ,,wright4 ,june #bc ,i do not say you can make yourself merry and happy when you are in a physical condition which is contrary to such mental condition1 but by practice and effort you can learn to withdraw from it1 refusing to allow your judgments and actions to be ruled by it4 ,what does that matter8 you will learn to say4 ,it is enough for me to know that the sun does shine1 and that this is only a weary fog that is round about me for a moment4 ,i shall come out into the light beyond presently4 ,this is faith1--faith in ,god1 who is ,light4 ,,george ,,macdonald4 ,our ,father1 residing in the light incomprehensible and who art seeing and providing all good for ,thine immortal household1 when mid investing clouds we shall hail ,thy presence1 transforming weakness into perfect strength and sighs and groans into joy and swelling songs1 above all the many rightful subjects of ,christian petition1 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 all4 ,we pray not to be spared any of our full part of the burdens needful to this day1 but to be given the measure of grace to maintain unfaltering steps4 ,behold with compassion the errors that befall us as we1 too1 compassionate others4 ,amen4 ,,jacob ,,straub4 ,june #bd ,we are all perhaps familiar with the story of the little housemaid1 who1 when she was asked why she thought she had become a ,christian1 replied1 after a little hesitation1 ,because ,i sweep under the mats4 ,a very poor reason at first sight1 and only significant from the fact of the master-motive underlying the fact itself4 ,a child's reasoning--but did not quaint old ,herbert employ the same fine logic when he sang3 ,who sweeps a room as for ,thy laws4 ,makes that and the action fine6 ,,william ,,moodie4 ,dear ,lord of ,life and ,light1 at the dawn of another day we rise to thank ,thee for ,thy watchful care1 imparting strength and vitality during the closed hours of the night4 ,thy gift of eternal life is ours by ,thy creatorship and love1 and we would pray that in no way during this coming day shall we dishonor our birthright by evil thought or action4 ,help us to aspire to hold fast and develop ,thy holy characteristics1 normal to us and made active by our wills4 ,we thank ,thee for the goal revealed to us as our destiny1 the spirit displayed by our ,master1 ,jesus ,christ1 and like ,him may we lean on ,thee daily for the strengthening of our faith and the maturing of our plans4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,e4 ,,lund4 ,june #be ,they are tired of what is old1 ,we will give it voices new2 ,for the half hath not been told ,of the beautiful and true4 ,,george ,,macdonald4 ,the common problem1 yours1 mine1 everyone's1 ,is not to fancy what were fair in life ,provided it could be--but finding first ,what may be1 than find how to make it fair ,up to our means1 a very different thing4 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,thou ,infinite ,heart6 our hearts go out after ,thee1 not for past1 not for future1 not for what was1 though dear1 not for what may be1 though in vision precious1--not these the burden of our prayer4 ,our hearts crave peace1 comfort with what is4 ,may we confide in ,thee so utterly that the old pain is eased1 the anxious foreboding is dispelled1 self-will merged in divine will1 self-direction yielding to divine leading4 ,lo6 our prayer is answered in the making and we are helped4 ,amen4 ,,stanford ,,mitchell4 ,june #bf ,today is your day and mine1 the only day we have1 the day in which we play our part4 ,what our part may signify in the great whole1 we may not understand1 but we are here to play it1 and now is our time4 ,this we know1 it is a part of action1 not of whining4 ,it is a part of love1 not cynicism4 ,it is for us to express love in terms of human helpfulness4 ,this we know1 for we have learned from sad experience that any other course of life leads toward weakness and misery4 ,,david ,,starr ,,jordan4 ,our ,father1 ,author alike of the morning light and ,guardian through the darkness and shadow of the night1 grant us the right spirit as we go forth to the unknown experiences of this day4 ,we would not look eagerly for our own comfort and happiness1 but would find them as ,thy free gift while we are employed in giving comfort and happiness to others4 ,illuminate our lives with happy thoughts1 cheerful words and blessed hopes1 that we may go forth with no purpose but to do ,thy will1 and seeking no reward more glorious1 than ,thine approval whispered into loving and attentive hearts1 in ,thy name4 ,amen4 ,,lewis ,g4 ,,wilson4 ,june #bg ,a ,persian fable says3 ,one day ,a wanderer found a lump of clay1 ,so redolent of sweet perfume ,its odors scented all the room4 ,what art thou8 was his quick demand2 ,art thou some gem from ,samarcand1 ,or spikenard in this rude disguise1 ,or other costly merchandise8 ,nay1 ,i am but a lump of clay4 ,then whence this wondrous perfume--say8 ,friend1 if the secret ,i disclose1 ,i have been dwelling with the rose1 ,sweet parable6 and will not those ,who love to dwell with ,sharon's ,rose1 ,distil sweet odors all around1 ,though low and mean themselves are found8 ,dear ,lord1 abide with us1 that we ,may draw our perfume fresh from thee4 ,,anonymous4 ,our ,father1 which art in heaven1--we thank ,thee for the memory of those who lived in ,thy spirit and labored in ,thy love4 ,the fragrance of their lives abides with us4 ,we thank ,thee for the prophets of great hopes1--for those who have seen the invisible1 and have searched patiently for the city of their ,god4 ,we bless those who by their pure hearts and unselfish lives have revealed unto us our greater selves4 ,help us to learn of them the way of life4 ,help us to live in such thoughts and deeds as made them truly great4 ,keep our hearts so pure to-day1 our vision of the ,master life so clear1 that our path1 before and after us1 shall be as the light of day4 ,amen4 ,,frederick ,w4 ,,betts4 ,june #bh ,tell you what ,i like the best2 ',long about knee-deep in ,june1 ',bout the time the strawberries melts ,on the vine1--some afternoon ,like to jes' git out and rest1 ,and not work at nothing else4 ,orchard's where ,i'd ruther be-- ,needn't fence it in for me6 ,jes' the whole sky overhead1 ,and the whole airth underneath4 ,,james ,,whitcomb ,,riley4 ,help us1 ,o ,thou who art the ,lord of life1 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 brooks1 and of resting tired body and weary limb beneath the sweet orchard shade1 gazing with gladdened eyes at the blue canopy above1 all forgetful of the toil and din of the far off city4 ,o may our hearts this day be in tune with nature and in harmony with ,thyself2 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 courts4 ,hear us for the ,saviour's sake4 ,amen4 ,,francis ,w4 ,,brett4 ,june #bi ,give us1 ,o give us the man who sings at his work4 ,be his occupation what it may1 he is equal to any of those who follow the same pursuit in silent sullenness4 ,he will do more in the same time--he will do it better--he will persevere longer4 ,one is scarcely sensible of fatigue while he marches to music4 ,the very stars are said to make harmony as they revolve in their spheres4 ,wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness1 although past calculation its power of endurance4 ,efforts to be permanently useful1 must be uniformly joyous--a spirit all sunshine1 graceful from very gladness1 beautiful because bright4 ,,thomas ,,carlyle4 ,almighty ,god1 we turn to ,thee in adoration and praise as we pause upon the threshold of this new day4 ,grant1 we pray ,thee1 that a song be in our hearts as we go about the duties of the passing hours4 ,whatever our experiences1 whether of joy or sorrow1 may we truly value the truthful spirit4 ,if ,thou callest us to bear burdens or to stand upon the mountain top of exultant achievement may we not forget to sing of ,thee4 ,yea1 ,o ,god1 we would be ever of the company of trusting souls1 for such are near to ,thee4 ,and when earthly days are past and the life of the freed spirit is over1 grant that our lives may blend in full accord with the music of love1 in sunshine of joy1 in the beauty of holiness4 ,we praise ,thee now and ever4 ,amen4 ,,stephen ,h4 ,,roblin4 ,june #cj ,full-leafed in pride of deepest green1 ,the earth in the sunshine basks serene1 ,where linden blossoms crowded cling1 ,a thousand bees are murmuring4 ,as showers drift from the freshened land ,with a seven-barred bow is the rain-cloud spanned4 ,the wild rose yields her subtlest scents ,where hay cocks pitch their fragrant tents4 ,the longest day's too brief for ,june1 ,the night too short for such a moon6 ,,sara ,,andrew ,,shafer4 ,we thank ,thee1 our ,father1 for the wonderful world in which we live2 for the glory of the heavens2 for the beauty of the earth2 for the bright morning following the star-crowned night2 for the song of birds1 the hum of bees1 the fragrance of flowers1 and the laughter of children1 for the industry of men and women1 for all ,thy gifts of love4 ,as again the lengthening shadows creep across our pathway1 may we redouble our energies that no labor of love may be left undone4 ,so fill us with ,thy presence1 so lead us by ,thy ,spirit this day1 that in our homes we may be patient1 in our occupations sweet1 in our social relations brotherly1 in all things ,christlike1 for ,jesus' sake4 ,amen4 ,,arthur ,,wright4 ,july #a ,let me go where'er ,i will ,i hear a sky-born music still3 ,it sounds from all things old1 ,it sounds from all things young1 ,from all that's fair1 from all that's foul1 ,peals out a cheerful song4 ,it is not only in the rose1 ,it is not only in the bird1 ,not only where the rainbow glows1 ,nor in the song of woman heard1 ,but in the darkest1 meanest things ,there alway1 alway something sings4 ',tis not in the high stars alone1 ,nor in the cups of budding flowers1 ,nor in the redbreast's mellow tone1 ,nor in the bow that smiles in showers1 ,but in the mud and scum of things ,there alway1 alway something sings4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,dear ,father in heaven1 we thank ,thee for all the sweet voices of the world1 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 love1 for the bird in the spring time4 ,we thank ,thee for the music in the prattle of children1 and the kindly word spoken everywhere4 ,the world is full of music if only we have music in our own hearts4 ,we pray1 as we set forth again this morning1 for spirits in tune with all that is sweet and good4 ,wherever we go this day1 let the world sing to us and make us glad4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,july #b ,a little bird with plumage brown1 ,beside my window flutters down1 ,a moment chirps its little strain1 ,then taps upon my window-pane4 ,and chirps again1 and hops along1 ,to call my notice to its song2 ,but ,i work on1 nor heed its lay1 ,till1 in neglect1 it flies away4 ,so birds of peace and hope and love ,come fluttering earthward from above1 ,to settle on life's window-sills1 ,and ease our load of earthly ills2 ,but we1 in traffic's rush and din ,too deep engaged to let them in1 ,with deadened heart and sense plod on1 ,nor know our loss till they are gone4 ,,paul ,,laurence ,,dunbar4 ,my voice shalt ,thou hear in the morning1 ,o ,lord1 in the morning will ,i direct my prayer unto ,thee1 and will look up2 and looking up1 may we not fail to realize that1 amid the turmoil of this outward life1 ,thou art ever present to give peace and rest in the inner life4 ,should we fail to recognize that presence we shall lose the comfort which ,thou art ever ready to bestow1 and must ourselves bear burdens which ,thou wouldst gladly bear for us or take from us4 ,thou knowest our frame and rememberest that we are dust4 ,open our spiritual vision to behold that ,divine resources are subject to our daily prayer4 ,in the name of ,jesus1 the ,christ4 ,amen4 ,o4 ,w4 ,,scott4 ,july #c ,blessed are the poor in spirit1 for theirs is the kingdom of ,heaven4 ,blessed are the pure in heart1 for they shall see ,god4 ,blessed are the peacemakers1 for they shall be called the children of ,god4 ,blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you1 and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake4 ,,matthew v4 #c1 #h1 #aa4 ,o ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee that ,thou dost overrule our weakness1 failure and sins to the accomplishment of ,thy divine plan for us4 ,we recall with pleasure our successes in the past year1 and if we have failed1 wilt ,thou show us where and when and teach us the way of amendment4 ,we thank ,thee for our ,hope and ,faith which have come to us from the ,bible4 ,here1 on every page and in every biography1 have we learned of ,christ ,jesus1 the ,way1 the ,truth and the ,life4 ,we thank ,thee that through ,him our sins are forgiven1 and we have learned to know ,thee1 ,o blessed ,father1 which knowledge is eternal life4 ,may we walk with ,him1 moment by moment in a life of loving service to all mankind1 during all the remaining days of our life4 ,amen4 ,e4 ,m4 ,,warner4 ,july #d ,one flag1 one land1 one heart1 one hand1 ,one nation1 evermore6 ,,oliver ,,wendell ,,holmes4 ,and for your country1 boy1 and for that flag1 never dream a dream but of serving her1 though the service carry you through a thousand hells6 ,no matter what happens to you--no matter who flatters or abuses you--never look at another flag1 never let a night pass but you pray ,god to bless that flag4 ,,edward ,,everett ,,hale4 ,thine1 ,o ,god1 is the kingdom4 ,and blessed is the nation whose ,god is the ,lord4 ,we believe that ,thy hand has been in the founding and the fortunes of this land4 ,we do homage to it for its ideals1 its principles1 its glorious company of apostles of truth1 its noble army of martyrs for liberty and humanity2 we love and cherish it as our home and our shrine2 but we hallow it1 we stand in awe of it1 as the scene of ,thy special activity1 the instrument of ,thy holy purposes4 ,may its vision not pass2 may the clouds that hang over it be dispersed by the clear shining of the sun of righteousness and peace2 may the dream of freedom with fraternity be realized here1 even here1 upon these shores1 that ,thy saving health may be known among all nations4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,,ellwood ,,nash4 ,july #e ,far up the crag1 'twixt sea and sky1 ,where winds tempestuous1 blowing by1 ,leave giant boulders swept and bare2 ,where forked lightnings fitful flare1 ,and petrels sound their stormy cry4 ,a dainty bluebell1 sweet and shy1 ,lifted its head complacently1 ,as guarded by the tenderest care1 ,far up the crag4 ,and now1 whenever fear draws nigh1 ,in thought ,i stand 'twixt sea and sky1 ,and1 as of old in my despair1 ,i bless the ,power that set it there-- ,that tiny thing with courage high1 ,far up the crag6 ,,florence ,e4 ,,coates4 ,eternal ,presence1 may we now speak to ,thee8 or1 consciously within ,thy presence1 should our lips be still8 ,art ,thou the ,infinite ,mercy1 and shall we say1 be merciful8 ,shall we persuade the love that can not once withhold itself8 ,we would not ask1 were prayer to change established law4 ,but1 we will open here our hearts1 and so receive the blessedness that seeks us and has sought us1--sought us as the sunlight sought us early1--seeks us as the raindrops seek us in the storm4 ,not more canst ,thou withhold the goodness from us4 ,we wait receptively1 unbarring all our rust-hinged doors to welcome the true favors that now find us4 ,in sweet trust1 asking or unasking1 we abide ever in ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,perry ,,marshall4 ,july #f ,god is a kind ,father4 ,he sets us all in the places where he wishes us to be employed1 and that employment is truly our ,father's business4 ,he chooses work for every creature which will be delightful to them1 if they do it simply and humbly4 ,he gives us always strength enough and sense enough for what ,he wants us to do2 if we either tire ourselves or puzzle ourselves1 it is our own fault4 ,and we may always be sure1 whatever we are doing1 that we cannot be pleasing ,him if we are not happy ourselves4 ,,john ,,ruskin4 ,father ,divine1 ,thou art indeed kind4 ,thine are the ways of kindness1 of wisdom1 and of love1--the ways of pleasantness and the paths of peace4 ,in simple and humble spirit as becometh ,thy children1 may we walk with ,thee accomplishing the work to which ,thou dost call us4 ,our work is ,thy work1 our business the ,father's business2 the business of justice1 mercy and truth4 ,when loyal and true1 we are what we are1 and do what we do by ,thy grace4 ,so help us to honor ,thee in all the duties of life1--,not slothful in business1--fervent in spirit1--pleasing ,thee and therefore happy ourselves4 ,amen4 ,,isaac ,p4 ,,coddington4 ,july #g ,threefold is the form of ,space3 ,length1 with ever restless motion1 ,seeks eternity's wide ocean2 ,breadth with boundless sway extends2 ,depth to unknown realms descends4 ,all as types to thee are given2 ,thou must onward strive for heaven1 ,never still or weary be1 ,wouldst thou perfect glory see2 ,far must thy researches go ,wouldst thou learn the world to know2 ,thou must tempt the dark abyss ,wouldst thou prove what ,being is4 ,naught but firmness gains the prize1-- ,naught but fulness makes us wise1-- ,buried deep1 truth ever lies6 ,,proverbs ,,of ,,confucius4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 help us this day to make good our privilege to feel and think of ,thee as we do4 ,help us this day to make ourselves part of our brotherhood1 and our brotherhood part of ,thee4 ,we know not what the day hath in store for us1 but we pray ,thee to help us have in store for it our better heart1 our better hands4 ,send ,thy holy spirit into our life to calm and to strengthen2 that we may be steadfast and true2 that we may give and be forgiven4 ,bless all ,thy children this day1 and may our labor end as it began1 in ,thee1 with ,thee1 for ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,louis ,h4 ,,buckshorn4 ,july #h ,o ,impatient ,ones6 ,do the leaves say nothing to you as they murmur to-day8 ,they are not fashioned this spring1 but months ago2 and the summer just begun will fashion others for another year4 ,at the bottom of every leaf-stem is a cradle1 and in it is an infant germ2 and the winds will rock it1 and the birds will sing to it all summer long1 and next season it will unfold4 ,so ,god is working for you and carrying forward to the perfect development all the processes of our lives4 ,,henry ,,ward ,,beecher4 ,o ,eternal ,father1 giver of all spiritual grace1 we thank ,thee for ,thy presence in our hearts4 ,may we realize that ,thou hast the best possible plan for every human life4 ,help us to be patient and joyful in the consciousness that ,thou art carrying forward ,thy blessed work in us4 ,thy love1 ,o ,lord1 is equal to ,thy wisdom1 and ,thou wilt always do what is best for us4 ,may ,thy holy will be our delight1 so that we may each trust in ,thee at all times and cheerfully say1 ,thy will1 ,o ,lord1 not mine1 be done4 ,thou who dost care for the birds and the lilies art ever mindful of us1 ,thy children4 ,deliver us from worry and may ,thy peace guard our hearts and minds in ,christ ,jesus4 ,amen4 ,,george ,h4 ,,cheney4 ,july #i ,let us hope that one day all mankind will be happy and wise2 and though this day never should dawn to have hoped for it cannot be wrong4 ,and in any event1 it is helpful to speak of happiness to those who are sad1 that thus at least they may learn what it is that happiness means4 ,they are ever inclined to regard it as something beyond them1 extraordinary1 out of their reach4 ,but if all who may count themselves happy were to tell1 very simply1 what it was that brought happiness to them1 the others would see that between sorrow and joy the difference is but as between a gladsome1 enlightened acceptance of life and a hostile gloomy submission2 between a large and harmonious conception of life1 and one that is stubborn and narrow4 ,,maeterlinck4 ,o ,lord1 we thank ,thee for the special providence which is over everything which ,thou hast created1 and wherein ,thou residest with all ,thine infinite perfections4 ,we thank ,thee that ,thou carest for us all1 that in our day of joy we know it is ,thou who fillest our cup1 by giving us the faculties which make it run over at the brim4 ,we thank ,thee that ,thou art with us in our days of hardship and of calamity1 that when our own heart cries out against us1 ,thou art greater than our heart1 and1 understanding all things1 blessest us in secret ways2 and when we are cast down and go stooping and feeble1 with hungering eyes and a failing heart1 that ,thou still art with us1 and leadest us from strength to strength and blessest us continually4 ,amen4 ,,theodore ,,parker4 ,july #aj ,were any of us really disappointed or melancholy in a hayfield8 ,did we ever lie fairly back on a haycock and look up into the blue sky1 and listen to the merry sounds1 the whetting of scythes and the laughing prattle of women and children1 and think evil thoughts of the world or our brethren8 ,not we6 ,or1 if we have so done we ought to be ashamed of ourselves1 and deserve never again to be out of town during hay-harvest4 ,,thomas ,,hughes4 ,dear ,heavenly ,father1 we devoutly thank ,thee for the beautiful open face of ,nature shining upon us2 for the splendor of the fields where the birds wing their merry flight2 for the breath of the flowers and the grass beneath the scythe1 like the odor of incense2 and most of all1 for the merry shouts of women and children and men in the meadow1 in the heyday of happiness1 as they fill their souls with the freedom of the children of ,god1 and live in the open where no evil breath can come4 ,grant that we may live spiritually forever in the fragrant hayfields of life1 where the birds sing and the children shout1 and where no covering or roof can ever shut out the sunshine of life's eternal bliss4 ,amen4 ,,robert ,s4 ,,kellerman4 ,july #aa ,a story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning and found everything withering and dying4 ,he asked an oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was4 ,he found that it was sick of life and determined to die1 because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine4 ,the pine was out of heart because it could not bear grapes like the vine2 the vine was going to throw its life away1 because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the pomegranate2 and so on throughout the garden4 ,coming to the heart'sease1 the king found its bright face uplifted1 as full of cheerfulness as ever4 ,said the king1 ,well1 heart'sease1 ,i am glad to find one brave little flower in this general discouragement and dying4 ,you don't seem one bit disheartened4 ,no1 your majesty4 ,i know ,i am of small account2 but ,i concluded you wanted a heart'sease when you planted me4 ,if you had wanted an oak1 or a pine1 or a vine1 or a pomegranate1 you would have set one out4 ,so ,i am bound to be the best heart'sease that ever ,i can4 ,,william ,,moodie4 ,like the wise ,king of old1 ,i pray ,thee1 gracious ,lord1 give unto me wisdom4 ,may ,thy ,pillar of ,light guide my footsteps so that ,i go not astray in the wilderness of sin and selfish ambition4 ,help me to acquire a pure heart and a contented spirit4 ,amidst all the vicissitudes of fortune1 let faith induce me to say1 ,whatever ,god doeth is well4 ,amen4 ,m4 ,m4 ,,eichler4 ,july #ab ,what shall ,i do to be just8 ,what shall ,i do for the gain ,of the world--for its sadness8 ,teach me1 ,o seers that ,i trust6 ,chart me the difficult main ,leading out of my sorrow and madness1 ,preach me the purging of pain4 ,shall ,i wrench from my finger the ring ,to cast to the tramp at my door8 ,shall ,i tear off each luminous thing ,to drop in the palm of the poor8 ,what shall ,i do to be just8 ,teach me1 ,o ,ye in the light1 ,whom the poor and the rich alike trust2 ,my heart is aflame to be right4 ,,hamlin ,a4 ,,garland4 ,infinite ,spirit1 ,thou seest us just as we are4 ,in ,thy sight there can be no make-believe2 we need not seek to offer ,thee as a penance for our sins some cheap alms to the poor1 for ,thy favor cannot be bought4 ,we pray simply that we may be just1--that we may be true4 ,if we have wronged anyone1 help us to right the wrong4 ,if we have been false to ourselves or false to our neighbors1 ,o ,lord1 make us true1--we seek no easy admission to a far-off heaven1 we seek ,thy presence here and now1 today1 by the only pathway open1 the pathway of righteousness and truth4 ,that we may enter this pathway1 grant us we pray ,thee the illumination of ,thy ,holy ,spirit4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,july #ac ,the law of worthy life is fundamentally the law of strife4 ,it is only through labor1 painful effort1 by grim energy and resolute courage1 that we move on to better things4 ,,theodore ,,roosevelt4 ,if we would please ,god we must watch every stroke and touch upon the canvas of our lives2 we may not think we can lay it on with a trowel and yet succeed4 ,we ought to live as miniature painters work1 for they watch every line and tint4 ,,spurgeon4 ,as we begin this new day1 ,o our ,father1 may such energy and vigor1 such strength and courage1 such faith and hope be ours that the problems and tasks awaiting us may be boldly and gladly met as challenges to our powers4 ,may that abundant life be in us which shall make our difficulties a tonic1 and the struggle to achieve high aims a joy4 ,may we be resourceful1 equal to life1 adequate to every situation1 able to stand this universe1--men who can4 ,may we count it a privilege to live1 to have a vision of life's possibilities1 and to have the fellowship of so many good men and women by the way4 ,amen4 ,,george ,r4 ,,dodson4 ,july #ad ,with place1 with gold1 with power--oh1 ask me not ,with these my little hour of life to blot4 ,a little hour indeed6 and ,i would fain ,its moments spend in what is worth its pain4 ,what traveler would faint through troublous lands ,to gather only what must leave his hands ,the moment that he takes his homeward ship8 ,earth's goods and gauds give every man the slip2 ,but wealth of thought and richer wealth of love1 ,must pass for coin in any world above4 ,the good to others done while here ,i strive ,is all at last that shall my dying shrive2 ,and1 setting sail1 my slight self-conquest's store ,is all my freight if ,i shall come to shore4 ,,anonymous4 ,o ,father1 ,god6 ,the span of our influence is both near and far2 may it also be direct and strong4 ,thou hast planted mighty virtue and unquenchable love in our hearts4 ,love knows the secret of imparting virtue's value to all the wretchedness in life4 ,so1 we beseech ,thee1 direct our hearts to altitudes of holiness and set our feet in the highways of helpfulness4 ,may the charm of gentleness be in every service to-day1 and may the tone of tenderness carry love's message over all barriers to the hearts that need4 ,thus would we keep our confidence with ,thee and bind ourselves more profitably to our fellows4 ,so shall ,thy great name be honored among men4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,o4 ,,randall4 ,july #ae ,what seems to grow fairer to me as life goes by1 is the love and peace and tenderness of it4 ,not its wit and cleverness and grandeur of knowledge1 but just the laughter of little children1 and the friendship of friends1 and the cosy talk of the fireside1 and the sight of flowers and the sound of music4 ,j4 ,r4 ,,green4 ,now that ,thou givest us the light of a new day1 grant that it carry with it the brightness of hope and courage for whatsoever the day may offer4 ,always behind the clouds is the shining that never fails2 always beyond the labor which irks us is the joy of attainment4 ,open our eyes that we may see the best which shall be in the day2 its love of friends1 its sights of beauty1 its music1 its wisdom such as no day before could possess1 its voices of the ,spirit awaiting the listening ear1 its tears of compassion and sympathy4 ,give us our daily bread such as shall feed the heart and enrich the mind and grant us forgiveness when we are blind to the common treasures of this ,thy world4 ,amen4 ,,george ,a4 ,,thayer4 ,july #af ,methought that in a solemn church ,i stood4 ,its marble acres1 worn with knees and feet1 ,lay spread from door to door1 from street to street4 ,midway the form hung high upon the rood ,of ,him who gave ,his life to be our good2 ,beyond1 priests flitted1 bowed1 and murmured meet ,among the candles shining still and sweet4 ,men came and went1 and worshipped as they could2 ,and still their dust a woman with her broom1 ,bowed to her work1 kept sweeping to the door4 ,then saw ,i slow through all the pillared gloom ,across the church a silent figure come4 ,daughter1 it said1 ,thou sweepest well my floor6 ,it is the ,lord6 ,i cried1 and saw no more4 ,,george ,,macdonald4 ,our ,father1 who art ever with us1 help us this day so to reveal ,thee through our common tasks1 our relations with one another1 in our homes and at our work1 that men may know and love ,thee better4 ,this is ,thy most beautiful world4 ,may we not mar its glory by our selfishness1 but by the gentleness and sweetness of our lives make it more beautiful4 ,may we this day not add to another's burden of care or pain4 ,but may we by our words and deeds sweeten and brighten and strengthen the lives of those whom we meet4 ,for ,thy goodness and mercy to us1 for the opportunity of service1 for love and sympathy1 we thank ,thee and pray that our devotion to ,thy truth may reveal the thankfulness of our hearts4 ,amen4 ,,arthur ,l4 ,,wheatherly4 ,july #ag ,for ,i1 a man1 with men am linked1 ,and not a brute with brutes2 no gain ,that ,i experience must remain ,unshared2 but should my best endeavor ,to share it1 fail--subsisteth ever ,god's care above1 and ,i exult ,that ,god1 by ,god's own ways occult1 ,may--doth1 ,i will believe--bring back ,all wanderers to a single track4 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,father of all souls in all worlds1 our best friend forever1 in ,thy good keeping we cannot wander beyond ,thy loving care4 ,we thank ,thee for life1 for the fair world we live in1 enriched by ,thy countless benefits1 for the glad tidings of ,thy fatherly love that never fails1 for the brotherhood that binds together all ,thy children1 and for the immortal hope that beckons us up and on4 ,by faithful living may we make life divine1 and by brotherly service show ,thee our gratitude and love4 ,may the gospel of ,jesus prevail in all hearts1 speedily bring all wanderers home1 draw our souls heavenward1 and prepare us for higher and larger realms of service1 where we shall forever live to ,thy glory4 ,amen4 ,,rush ,r4 ,,shippen4 ,july #ah ,that man has a liberal education who has been so trained in youth that his body is the ready servant of his will1 and does with ease and pleasure the work that it is capable of2 whose intellect is a clear logic engine1 ready to spin the gossamer as well as forge the anchors of the mind--one full of life and fire but whose passions are trained to come to heel by a rigorous will2 the servant of a tender conscience2 who has learned to love beauty1 to hate vileness and to respect others as himself2 such a one is in harmony with nature2 they will get on together4 ,,thomas ,,henry ,,huxley4 ,our ,father1 we would face this day in conscious companionship with ,thee4 ,give us to know ,thy will1 to do ,thy work4 ,help us to interpret aright ,thy constant revelation of love in nature and in the experiences of life4 ,give us strength so to will and so to act that we may make this day rich in the joy that comes from helpful living4 ,may divine impulse find quick expression in righteous deed4 ,in ,thine unresting effort to make this world ,thine own may we join with glad hearts4 ,rejoicing in ,thy love1 strong in the consciousness of ,thy presence1 may we go to our day's work with unwavering purpose to do ,thy will4 ,amen4 ,,lathan ,a4 ,,crandall4 ,july #ai ,a lily grows mysteriously1 pushing up its solid weight of stem and leaf in the teeth of gravity4 ,shaped into beauty by secret and invisible fingers1 the flower develops we know not how4 ,but we do not wonder at it4 ,every day the thing is done2 it is ,nature1 it is ,god4 ,we are spiritual enough at least to understand that4 ,but when the soul rises slowly above the world1 pushing up its delicate virtues in the teeth of sin1 shaping itself mysteriously into the image of ,christ1 we deny that the power is not of man4 ,a strong will1 we say1 a high ideal1 the reward of virtue1 ,christian influence--these will account for it4 ,spiritual character is merely the product of anxious work1 self-command1 and self-denial4 ,we allow1 that is to say1 a miracle to the lily1 but none to the man4 ,the lily may grow2 the man must fret and toil and spin4 ,,henry ,,drummond4 ,this morning1 our ,god1 we need ,thee6 ,give us ,thyself afresh in the holy inspiration of heart warmth and burning love1 that today we may have power from above while we walk and toil with things and folks of earth4 ,may we be the vase to hold the blossoming beauty of ,thy unfolding4 ,so may that beauty which ,thou givest unfold in acts which we are led to perform1 and the holiness of this day set fast character drawn from ,thee4 ,thus may we all who are ,thy children gladden the earth with unfolding beauty and kindness and shut out the things that are earthy4 ,amen4 ,e4 ,e4 ,,small4 ,july #bj ,the more simply you live1 the more secure is your future2 you are less at the mercy of surprises and reverses4 ,an illness or a period of idleness does not suffice to dispossess you2 a change of position1 even considerable1 does not put you to confusion4 ,having simple needs1 you find it less painful to accustom yourself to the hazards of fortune4 ,you remain a man1 though you lose your office or your income1 because the foundation on which your life rests is not your table1 your cellar1 your horses1 your goods and chattels1 or your money4 ,in adversity you will not act like a nursling deprived of its bottle and rattle4 ,stronger1 better armed for the struggle1 presenting like those with shaven heads1 less advantage to the hands of your enemy1 you will also be of more profit to your neighbor4 ,,charles ,,wagner4 ,o ,thou who art ever the same1 with the growing light of a new day1 we would again take ,thy name upon our lips2 and again invite the dear consciousness of ,thy presence4 ,we do not know what this day may yield us4 ,it may bring disaster2 perhaps cherished hopes must be surrendered2 plans may miscarry1 clouds may gather1 and storms may rage1 but we will not be unmanned4 ,we will not surrender our hold upon ,thee4 ,may we thus be enabled to meet disaster with courage1 and unlooked for joy with the poise of humility4 ,guard our goings-out and our comings-in1 and lead us into the beauteous paths of ripe content4 ,amen4 ,,james ,,harry ,,holden4 ,july #ba ,love wore a suit of hodden gray ,and toiled within the fields all day4 ,love wielded pick and carried pack ,and bent to heavy loads the back4 ,though meagre fed and sorely lashed1 ,the only wage ,love ever asked1 ,a child's wan face to kiss at night1 ,a woman's smile by candle light4 ,,margaret ,,sangster4 ,our ,father in ,heaven1 we thank ,thee for love4 ,how rich a gift it has been to us1 and how exhaustless4 ,it has been the source of all other gifts4 ,we thank ,thee for the brightness and gladness with which love invests the sunny day1 and more for the patience and hope which it inspires when the sky is overcast and the way grows weary4 ,in joy or sorrow we can ask nothing better than that it be our constant guest4 ,we thank ,thee for home life which offers us every hour its opportunity to give and to receive love4 ,may it be to us the symbol of ,thy great household which ,thy love pervades4 ,and as we thus think of it may our home life grow to us more holy and divine and ,thy love for all ,thy children more personal and tender until ,thy kingdom come and ,thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven4 ,amen4 ,,vincent ,e4 ,,tomlinson4 ,july #bb ,the entire object of true education is to make people not merely do the right things1 but enjoy the right things--not merely industrious1 but to love industry--not merely learned1 but to love knowledge--not merely pure1 but to love purity--not merely just1 but to hunger and thirst after justice4 ,,john ,,ruskin4 ,o ,father1 fill us with ,thy love today1 with love for ,thee1 and love for the morning light and all ,thy glory4 ,fill us with love for the work that ,thou dost give us to do1 with love for the truth that ,thou dost reveal to us and with love for the ideals of purity and righteousness that ,thou dost set before us4 ,may we have love for all ,thy children4 ,make us realize that they are all our brothers and sisters4 ,make us strive to have ,thy will done in their lives4 ,make us eager to have them know ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,b4 ,,bliss4 ,july #bc ,if you were toiling up a weary hill1 ,bearing a load beyond your strength to bear4 ,straining each nerve untiringly and still ,stumbling and losing foothold here and there ,and each one passing by would do so much ,as give one upward lift and go his way1 ,would not the slight reiterated touch ,of help and kindness lighten all the day8 ,if you were breasting a keen wind which tossed ,and buffeted and chilled you as you strove1 ,till baffled and bewildered quite1 you lost ,the power to see the way1 and aim and move1 ,and one1 if only for a moment's space1 ,gave you a shelter from the bitter blast1 ,would you not find it easier to face ,the storm again when the brief rest was past8 ,,susan ,,coolidge4 ,our ,father1 as we thank ,thee for the friendly service and sympathy that bless and strengthen our daily lives1 we pray that our gratitude may move us to give a like service and sympathy as freely as we receive4 ,in the day to whose beginning ,thou hast brought us1 let our hearts and hands be ready to meet the needs of those with whom we come in touch4 ,so influence our wayward wills that we shall not walk in selfish ways1 nor forget the ties that bind us to one another1 and to ,thee4 ,keep us conscious of our birthright as ,thy children1 that our acts and aims may be filial and fraternal and loyal to ,jesus ,christ ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,costello ,,weston4 ,july #bd ,it matters little where ,i was born1 ,whether my parents were rich or poor1 ,whether they shrank from the cold world's scorn ,or walked in the pride of wealth secure2 ,but whether ,i live an honest man1 ,and hold my integrity firm in my clutch1 ,i tell you brother1 plain as ,i am1 ,it matters much4 ,,from ,,the ,,swedish4 ,dear ,father in ,heaven1 good ,giver of all1 ,for birth in a land fair and free1 ,for parents with pluck1 if not the best luck1 ,who toiled and who suffered for me4 ,who never knew fear1 though the scorners were near1 ,whom circumstance filled not with pride1 ,i thank ,thee6 ,these gifts1 more than all on the lists1 ,have mattered with me1 and abide4 ,while striving and struggling my manhood to build1 ,to live like ,thine own perfect ,son1 ,i find on ,earth's face not just one single place ,where such work so well can be done ,as in the fair land which from ,thy gracious hand ,comes to me a home to enjoy1 ,where man1 who should grow1 may all liberty know ,in seeking the soul's high employ4 ,amen4 ,,frederick ,c4 ,,priest4 ,july #be ,don't object that your duties are so insignificant2 they are to be reckoned of infinite significance1 and alone important to you4 ,were it but the more perfect regulation of your apartments1 the sorting away of your clothes and trinkets1 the arranging of your papers1--,whatsoever thy hand findeth to do1 do it with all thy might1 and all thy worth and constancy4 ,much more1 if your duties are of evidently higher1 wider scope2 if you have brothers1 sisters1 a father1 a mother1 weigh earnestly what claim does lie upon you on behalf of each1 and consider it as the one thing needful1 to pay them more and more honestly and nobly what you owe4 ,what matter how miserable one is if one can do that8 ,that is the sure and steady disconnection and extinction of whatsoever miseries one has in this world4 ,,thomas ,,carlyle4 ,creator of things1 ,father of ,spirits1 standing at the dawn of a new day we seek ,thy blessing4 ,we know not what awaits us1 ,thou knowest1 grant us guidance6 ,help us to see all our duties in the light of ,thy countenance4 ,thou hast made the little and the large1 help us to see our duties in their relation to ,thy plans4 ,whatsoever we do1 help us to do all to ,thy glory4 ,help us to sweep our floors as to ,thy laws1 right our rooms as a part of ,thy universe1 care for our clothes as gifts from ,thee4 ,help us to see ,thee in the souls ,thou hast sent into the world1 to treat them as thinking-thoughts of ,thine1 expressions of ,thy life4 ,may we owe no man anything but to love1 may the sun never set on an unpaid bill4 ,for ,thy name's sake4 ,amen4 ,o4 ,p4 ,,gifford4 ,july #bf ,write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year4 ,no man has learned anything rightly until he knows that every day is doomsday4 ,today is a king in disguise4 ,today always looks mean to the thoughtless1 in the face of an uniform experience that all good and great and happy actions are made up precisely of these blank todays4 ,let us not be so deceived1 let us unmask the king as he passes4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,our ,father1 we thank ,thee for this morning that ushers in the only day of which we have promise4 ,whether it proves to be a day of sunshine or of clouds1--of joy or of sorrow1--may we live it with thankfulness1 with perfect confidence that ,thou wilt always give us that which is for our own good4 ,help us to spend this day in doing well what our hands find to do2 may our souls breathe the spirit of love and helpfulness to all1 and may we have abundantly the influence of ,thy divine spirit to keep us pure4 ,amen4 ,,luther ,f4 ,,mckinney4 ,july #bg ,i like the man who faces what he must ,with heart triumphant and a step of cheer2 ,who fights the daily battle without fear2 ,sees his hopes fail1 yet keeps unfaltering trust ,that ,god is ,god2 that somehow1 true and just1 ,his plans work out for mortals2 not a tear ,is shed when fortune1 which the world holds dear1 ,falls from his grasp2 better1 with love1 a crust ,than living in dishonor2 envies not1 ,nor loses faith in man2 but does his best1 ,nor even murmurs at his humbler lot2 ,but with a smile and words of hope1 gives zest ,to every toiler2 he alone is great ,who by a life heroic conquers fate4 ,,sarah ,,knowles ,,bolton4 ,gracious ,father1 last night we laid ourselves down in peace to sleep1 but it was ,thou who madest us to dwell in safety1 and when we awoke this morning we found ourselves still with ,thee4 ,thy loving favor was keeping faithful watch and ward while we slumbered4 ,we thank ,thee for ,thy kindly care of our lives during the darkness and danger of the night4 ,confident of ,thy continued presence and armed with ,thy unfailing strength1 we would go forth to meet the duties and delights of the new day4 ,god with us1 we will overcome every temptation1 endure every trial1 bear every burden1 and improve every opportunity of character-building and service-rendering1 in the trustful and courageous spirit of ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,ralph ,e4 ,,conner4 ,july #bh ,how large a part of our ,godward life is travelled1 not by clear landmarks seen far off in the promised land1 but as travellers climb a mountain peak1 by putting footstep after footstep1 slowly and patiently1 into the prints which someone going before us1 with keener sight1 with stronger nerves1 tied to us by the cord of saintly sympathy1 has planted deep into the pathless snow of the bleak distance that stretches up between humanity and ,god4444 ,so we ascend by one another4 ,we live by one another's blessings4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,our ,father1 we thank ,thee for the light of a new day4 ,may a new spirit and new courage come to our hearts4 ,we thank ,thee for all those who by patient toil and self-forgetting effort have made life as sweet and precious to us as it is4 ,if we can no longer hear the voices nor see the faces of those we love or have reason to revere1 may we be able to see their foot-prints and to take the way they trod1 though that way seem steep and hard4 ,may we be assured that the upward way leads to the expanding view and brings us to the splendor of the setting sun or of the still more glorious dawn4 ,amen4 ,,hilary ,,bygrave4 ,july #bi ,a prince went into the vineyard to examine it4 ,he came to a peach tree1 and said1 ,what are you doing for me8 ,the tree said1 ,in the spring ,i give my blossoms and fill the air with fragrance1 and on my boughs hangs the fruit which men will gather and carry into the palace for you4 ,well done6 said the prince4 ,to the chestnut he said1 ,what are you doing8 ,i am making nests for the birds1 and shelter cattle with my leaves and spreading branches4 ,and the prince said1 ,well done6 ,then he went down to the meadow and asked the grass what it was doing4 ,we are giving our lives for others1 for your sheep and cattle that they may be nourished4 ,and the prince said1 ,well done6 ,last of all he asked the tiny daisy what it was doing1 and the daisy said1 ,nothing1 nothing4 ,i cannot make a nesting-place for the birds1 and ,i cannot give shelter for the cattle1 and ,i cannot send fruit into the palace1 and ,i cannot even give food for the sheep and cows1--they do not want me in the meadow4 ,all ,i can do is to be the best little daisy ,i can be4 ,and the prince bent down and kissed the daisy1 and said1 ,there is none better than thou4 ,,anonymous4 ,help us1 ,o ,father1 not to wait for the great opportunities which may never come4 ,help us to do with faithfulness the duties which lie close at hand4 ,in our homes this day and wherever we may be--at school or on the street or at our work--fill our hearts with the spirit of ,christ and let that spirit speak in every word which passes our lips and shine from our faces and work with our hands4 ,amen4 ,,walter ,a4 ,,tuttle4 ,july #cj ,i will be glad all day for this cool draught ,and the clear drops ,i dash upon my brow2 ,for the fresh glint of sunlight on the tree ,and the bird singing on the bough4 ,i will be glad for that stored strength of life ,which lasts the day because the spirit wills2 ,for the live air that wings from far and breathes ,the vigor of the everlasting hills4 ,what scope of toil1 what loss or what reward1 ,i do not know4 ,it is enough that now ,i pledge the day's good cheer with this cool draught ,and the drops dashed upon my brow4 ,,charles ,p4 ,,cleaves4 ,our ,father1 we are nursed in ,thine arms1 we are rested in the heart of ,jesus1 so that we know no more the emptiness of earth and the poverty of time1 for our citizenship is in heaven1 already do we walk the streets of gold4 ,out of the highest rapture may we come to do earth's plainest work1 earth's hardest toil1 with patient hearts and willing hands1 knowing that death can be but for a moment1 that all things are meant1 in the sovereignty of ,god to give themselves up to the rule of life4 ,thus may ,thy children be loyal citizens1 patient workers1 honest merchantmen1 wise parents4 ,be with all men who trust ,thee2 melt the mountains before their coming1 and open the gates of difficulty ere they reach them1 and give them to feel that the greatness of ,thy mercy is the proof of its divinity4 ,amen4 ,,joseph ,,parker4 ,july #ca ,for ,i am persuaded1 that neither death1 nor life1 nor angels1 nor principalities1 nor powers1 nor things present1 nor things to come4 ,nor height1 nor depth1 nor any other creature1 shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god which is in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord4 ,,romans viii4 #ch-ci4 ,these verses seem to me to express completely the remedial power of ,god's love4 ,in this rough and tumble world of ours1 of hard conditions1 of disasters many1 of untold misery1 there are temptations enough for men to lose faith in ,god's love4 ,it is well now and then to have an outburst of faith like this with the assurance that nothing can ever separate any child of ,god from the divine compassion and the divine care4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 it is good for us to believe that through all storms and all darkness and all sickness and all infirmity1 even through death itself1 ,thy love abides4 ,as we enter upon this day1 we know not whither we shall go1 but we thank ,thee for the assurance that we may not go away from ,thee4 ,thou followest us with ,thy care and wrappest us around with ,thy love1 as with a garment4 ,in all that we do today may we know that ,thou seest us1 and if our way be steep1 may we be sure that ,thou lovest us4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,august #a ,begin the morning by saying to thyself1 ,i shall meet this day with the busybody1 the ungrateful1 the arrogant1 deceitful1 envious1 unsocial4 ,all these things happen to them by reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil4 ,but ,i who have seen the nature of the good that it is beautiful1 and of the bad that it is ugly1 can neither be injured by any of them--for no one can fix on me what is ugly--nor can ,i be angry with my neighbor1 nor hate him4 ,we are made for cooperation2 to act against one another1 that is contrary to nature2 and it is acting against one another to be vexed and turn away4 ,,marcus ,,aurelius4 ,eternal ,spirit of ,love1 teach us the power of love4 ,help us to learn that love is supreme1 and hence envieth not1 nor vaunteth itself1 nor seeketh its own1 but suffereth long and is kind4 ,we1 who in ,jesus of ,nazareth have seen the glory of ,thy likeness and experienced the sweetness of ,thy love1 desire like ,him to reveal ,thee in our lives1 to be loving and gentle1 sincere and generous1 to cooperate with friend and stranger in all that is good1 to live so that they can work with us for the advancement of everything righteous4 ,fill us1 therefore1 with ,thy spirit1 and send us forth today in ,thy service4 ,amen4 ,,william ,w4 ,,guth4 ,august #b ,god6 let the torrents1 like a shout of nations1 ,answer6 and let the ice-plain echo1 ,god6 ,god6 sing1 ye meadow streams1 with gladsome voice ,ye pine groves1 with your soft and soul-like sounds6 ,and they1 too have a voice1 yon piles of snow1 ,and in their perilous fall shall thunder1 ,god6 ,ye living flowers that skirt the eternal frost6 ,ye wild goats sporting round the eagle's nest6 ,ye eagles1 playmates of the mountain storm6 ,ye lightnings1 the dread arrows of the clouds6 ,ye signs and wonders of the elements6 ,utter forth ,god6 and fill the hills with praise6 ,,samuel ,,taylor ,,coleridge4 ,heavenly ,father1 how long have ,thy servants thirsted after ,thee--,thou spring of everlasting life6 ,in this land of our home the meditations of ages surround us1 and through the treasured thoughts of the wise in many generations we are lifted into a light beyond the solitary soul4 ,countless are ,thy witnesses1 ,eternal ,god6 the stars without number are but a little part of them2 and the prayers and aspirings of every heart of man can never cease to speak ,thee4 ,humbled and blind amid ,thy manifold glories1 may we find rest in the simplicity of ,christ1 and be among the pure in heart who alone can see ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,james ,,martineau4 ,august #c ,o ,god1 my master ,god1 look down and see ,if ,i am making what ,thou wouldst of me4 ,fain might ,i lift my hands up in the air ,from the defiant passion of my prayer2 ,yet here they grope on this cold altar stone1 ,graving the words ,i think ,i should make known4 ,mine eyes are ,thine4 ,yea1 let me not forget1 ,lest with unstaunched tears ,i leave them wet1 ,dimming their faithful power1 till they not see ,some small1 plain task that might be done for ,thee4 ,my feet1 that ache for paths of flowery bloom1 ,halt steadfast in the straitness of this room4 ,though they may never be on errands sent1 ,here shall they stay1 and wait ,thy full content4 ,and my poor heart1 that doth so crave for peace1 ,shall beat until ,thou bid its beating cease4 ,so1 ,thou dear master ,god1 look down and see ,whether ,i do ,thy bidding heedfully4 ,,alice ,,brown4 ,o ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 from whom cometh to us again this gift of life1 may we be able to use as ,thou wouldst have us the fresh revelation and energy of each morning hour4 ,may we be helped to see more clearly that task with all its blessings1 which ,thou placest within our reach today4 ,freshen our souls anew with the coming sunlight and quicken our will that we may perceive and fulfil our present duty gladly1 eagerly1 successfully1 however humble in the spirit of those who remember that if done for ,thy sake and beneath ,thy laws even servile labors shine4 ,amen4 ,,hobart ,,clark4 ,august #d ,we thank ,thee for all that ,thou hast made1 and that ,thou hast called it ,good6 ,we thank ,thee6 ,we enter into ,thy work1 and go about ,thy business4 ,,edward ,,everett ,,hale4 ,o1 it is great1 and there is no other greatness4 ,to make some work of ,god's creation a little fruitfuller1 better1 more worthy of ,god2 to make some human hearts a little wiser1 manfuller1 happier1--more blessed1 less accursed1--it is a work for ,god4 ,,thomas ,,carlyle4 ,heavenly ,father1 we would begin the day with noble purpose2 may we scorn all meanness1 and lift up our heads unto the ,lord as men who have a great expectation4 ,our hope is in a living ,god2 ,thou wilt not allow our life to wander into darkness2 if for a small moment we are forsaken1 we shall be gathered with ineffable and everlasting mercies4 ,in the confidence of ,thy presence1 in the assurance of ,thy sustaining grace1 we look steadfastly to heaven1 and then we look hopefully to earth1 and we know that1 having begun the day with prayer and praise and pious expectancy1 its hours shall all be gladdened and its even-tide shall be a benediction4 ,guide us with ,thine eyes2 sustain us by ,thy mighty power2 keep us this day without sin4 ,amen4 ,,joseph ,,parker4 ,august #e ,the scenery around your house may be monotonous1 without a mountain or sea or lake or hill2 but an upward look at the clear sky will put you in instant communication with infinite beauty and majesty4 ,no spot on earth is common or barren over which the skies bend in solemn silence4 ,no human life need be barren or common which is connected by the great network of moral law with any other being4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,carlisle4 ,our ,god and ,father1 the author of beauty1 the rewarder of all them that seek ,thee1 we1 ,thy children1 come to ,thee at the opening of this new day4 ,may we have hearts so pure that we shall see ,thee2 minds so open that we shall talk with ,thee2 and lives so true that we shall reveal ,thee4 ,let toil become to us as a sacrament4 ,reveal to us the beauty of life as well as of holiness and help us to live with upturned faces1 so that we may catch the glory of ,thy presence1 and reflect it to all around us4 ,may we walk with ,thee1 thinking ,thy thoughts1 having ,thy visions of beauty and of life4 ,when life's evening shall come gather us in ,thine arms of love to be with ,thee in the home which ,thou hast prepared for us and hast beautified with earth's fairest treasures through ,jesus ,christ1 ,our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,john ,,galbraith4 ,august #f ,how good is man's life1 the mere living6 ,how fit to employ ,all the heart and the soul and the senses forever in joy6 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,i am glad to think ,i am not bound to make the world go right2 ,but only to discover and to do1 ,with cheerful heart1 the work that ,god appoints4 ,i will trust in ,him1 ,that ,he can hold ,his own2 and ,i will take ,his will1 above the work ,he sendeth me1 to be my chiefest good4 ,,jean ,,ingelow4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 all ,thy works prove ,thy goodness2 the world ,thou givest us is good2 the powers with which ,thou dost endow us are adapted to deeds of goodness4 ,we know full well that we do evil as well as good4 ,some of our days close in sadness4444 ,at the beginning of this day we pledge ourselves to try harder than ever to do something good1 to make somebody happy1 to keep our minds filled with pure thoughts1 to set our ambitions on worthy objects2 and we pray that ,thou who art the ,power not ourselves that makes for righteousness shalt work with us that through our effort and ,thy help the day shall end in joy and peace4 ,amen4 ,,lee ,s4 ,,mccollester4 ,august #g ,our lives are songs2 ,god writes the words1 ,and we set them to music at pleasure2 ,and the song grows glad1 or sweet1 or sad1 ,as we choose to fashion the measure4 ,we must write the music1 whatever the song1 ,whatever its rhyme or metre2 ,and if it is sad1 we can make it glad1 ,or1 if sweet1 we can make it sweeter4 ,,ella ,,wheeler ,,wilcox4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o ,god1 that ,thou hast made us responsive to all the beauty and gladness about us1 and that we may make our lives one grand1 sweet song4 ,we know there is much that may spoil the song4 ,but we thank ,thee1 that if we follow the great ,leader1 we can change all discordant notes into harmony4 ,help us through ,him to tune our lives into accord with ,thine4 ,especially may we live in peace with each other4 ,make us strong to return good for evil1 to meet irritability with patience1 unkindness with gentleness and harsh words with quiet speech4 ,so may our lives be filled with music1 and the cares that infest the day1 shall fold their tents like the ,arabs1 and as silently steal away4 ,amen4 ,,james ,m4 ,,payson4 ,august #h ,back of the canvas that throbs the painter is hinted and hidden1 ,into the statue that breathes the soul of the sculptor is bidden1 ,under the joy that is felt lie the infinite issues of feeling2 ,crowning the glory revealed is the glory that crowns the revealing4 ,great are the symbols of being1 but that which is symbolled is greater2 ,vast the create and beheld1 but vaster the inward creator4 ,,richard ,,realf4 ,thou1 ,lord1 who hast created us surely for good and not evil1 for ,thou art good and doest good1 wilt go with us through all the day4 ,help us to keep in mind ,thy presence1 that we may walk before ,thee and be perfect1 that we may walk with ,thee and be pleasing to ,thee1 that we may walk after ,thee1 humbly1 reverently4 ,may we prize the glories that come with the hours1 not suffering them to make us conceited or self-centered1 or unduly independent1 but utilize them as means to make us more fully a part of ,thee4 ,give us this day complete victory over each temptation as it arrives1 and may we feel when night falls that we have acquitted ourselves well in the campaign1 and done what we could to make1 not only ourselves1 but the world around us1 better4 ,amen4 ,,james ,,mudge4 ,august #i ,each night is followed by its day1 ,each storm by fairer weather1 ,while all the works of nature sing ,their songs of joy together4 ,then learn1 ,o heart1 their songs of hope6 ,cease1 soul1 thy thankless sorrow2 ,for though the clouds be dark today1 ,the sun will shine tomorrow4 ,t4 ,,edgar ,,jones4 ,father of light6 ,who causeth light to shine out of darkness and maketh day to follow the night2 we thank ,thee for ,thy loving care that has brought us from the slumber and rest of night to behold the light of a new day4 ,may we rejoice in it1 and cheerfully enter upon its duties and experiences4 ,may the grace of ,thy presence make our sunshine1 that we may walk in the light of heaven1 breathe its atmosphere and engage in its service2 doing ,thy will in the service of one another and in the service of love1 truth and goodness4 ,may the light of faith1 hope1 and love shining within us1 dispel all darkness and sorrow from our lives1 that light which shines so lustrously from the life of ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,robert ,t4 ,,polk4 ,august #aj ,never say1 ,it is nobody's business but my own what ,i do with my life4 ,it is not true4 ,your life is put into your bands as a trust1 for many others besides yourself4 ,if you use it well1 it will make many others happy2 if you abuse it1 you will harm many others besides yourself4 ,,james ,m4 ,,pullman4 ,almighty ,father1 whom1 though we have not seen1 we love1 we know not what this day may bring forth but we know that it shall be for good as our trust is in ,thee4 ,we look up and adore ,thee1 and we believe and love and obey4 ,throughout all the hours of this day may we be diligent in business1 fervent in spirit1 serving the ,lord4 ,we believe in the victory of good over evil1 of light over darkness2 help us to bear our part courageously in the battle4 ,be merciful to us and make us merciful to one another4 ,may we be numbered with those who are pure in heart1 and see ,god in the humblest service to the humblest people4 ,we beseech ,thee to answer according to ,thy love not only these prayers which we utter with our lips but also the silent prayers of our heart4 ,amen4 ,,harold ,,pattison4 ,august #aa ,prince ,florimel and ,prince ,carimel were twin brothers1 the sons of a king1 and no one could tell which of the two ought to succeed to the throne1 for they were both exactly the same age4 ,so one day they went to a wise magician1 and asked him which of them ought to be king after their father's death4 ,he who is most worthy1 said the magician4 ,but how shall we find out who is most worthy8 ,he who possesses the magic flower that grows in the enchanted forest shall be found most worthy1 he answered4 ,so the two brothers travelled through the enchanted forest until they found the magic flower2 but it grew in such a dangerous place that ,carimel would not attempt to reach it4 ,florimel1 however1 clambered down the rocks and plucked the flower2 and when he had got it1 what do you think he did with it8 ,why1 he gave it to his brother1 for the name of that magic flower was ,unselfishness4 ,,william ,,moodie4 ,our ,father1 with thankful hearts for all ,thy goodness to us in the past1--we seek ,thy ,holy ,spirit's guidance for the day before us4 ,help us to live not for self alone1 but for the good of all with whom we mingle4 ,may the needy1 suffering1 and struggling ones all about us gather strength because of our devotion to ,thee4 ,so inspire us to forget ourselves1 that we may the better remember our ,master1 and the privileges and duties of a life's service to ,thy children4 ,wilt ,thou not1 ,infinite ,one1 thus help us1 this day1 and in all the days to come1 to live to ,thy glory6 ,amen4 ,,lewis ,p4 ,,bates4 ,august #ab ,to do something for someone else2 to love the unlovely2 to give a hand to the unattractive2 to speak to the uncongenial2 to make friends with the poor and folks of lowly degree2 to find a niche in the church of the ,lord1 and to do something out of sheer love for ,him2 to determine in ,his house to have ,his mind2 to plan to win at least one for the ,master2 to aim to redeem past time that is lost2 to will to let one's light shine2 to cut off practices that are sinful and costly2 to add the beauty of holiness--this is to make one's life a thing of beauty and this is to grow in grace1 for growing in grace is simply copying the beautiful life of the altogether lovely ,one4 ,,edward ,f4 ,,reimer4 ,infinite ,father1 we rejoice that it is possible for us to be workers together with ,thee by giving our sympathy1 love and help to ,thy needy children4 ,as ,thou hast honored us by appointing us to such a gracious ministry1 may we seek to honor ,thee in return by trying to do ,thy blessed will4 ,in all lowly and gentle ways1 may we do what we can to bind up the broken-hearted1 to relieve the distressed1 to strengthen the weak4 ,let none who suffer look to us in vain for some manifestation of the ,christ-like ,spirit4 ,may we so meet and treat the sad1 the lonely1 the tempted1 that they shall take knowledge of us that we have been with ,jesus4 ,so may ,his heavenly teaching bear sweet fruit in our conduct and characters1 and so may the ,kingdom which ,he came to establish grow apace in the world4 ,in ,his name4 ,amen4 ,,willard ,c4 ,,selleck4 ,august #ac ,let me feel that ,i am to be a lover4 ,i am to see to it that the world is better for me1 and to find my reward in the act4 ,love would put a new face on this weary old world in which we dwell as pagans and enemies too long2 and it would warm the heart to see how fast the vain diplomacy of statesmen1 the impotence of armies and navies and lines of defence1 would be superseded by this unarmed child4 ,this great1 overgrown1 dead ,christendom of ours still keeps alive at least the name of a lover of mankind4 ,but one day all men will be lovers3 and every calamity will be dissolved in the universal sunshine4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,what manner of love hast ,thou bestowed upon us1 dear ,lord1 that we should be called ,thy children6 ,as ,thou hast loved us1 so teach us each to love the world4 ,this day someone will go forth to business on land or sea burdened with heavy cares3 some father disheartened and discouraged will take up the trials of yesterday wondering what the end will be--some mother dismayed with her lot will cry ,how long8 ,help us1 ,o ,lord to minister to them in word or look1 in prayer or gift4 ,as the sun shall this day bring light and life to this old earth causing it to yield its highest purpose1 so grant that ,thy love may give through us a new inspiration to all mankind4 ,hasten the time when all shall love ,thee as ,thou hast loved the world4 ,then will each love the other4 ,then will the sword and the spear be molten into the plowshare and the pruning hook1 and the desert shall bud and blossom as the rose4 ,amen4 ,,edwin ,,alonzo ,,blake4 ,august #ad ,thou art1 ,o ,god1 the life and light ,of all this wondrous world we see2 ,its glow by day1 its smile by night1 ,are but reflections caught from thee4 ,where'er we turn1 thy glories shine1 ,and all things fair and bright are thine4 ,,thomas ,,moore4 ,almighty ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day1 defend us in the same with ,thy mighty power4 ,grant that this day we fall into no sin4 ,create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us4 ,open our eyes that this day may be a fresh disclosure of ,thyself1 the ,unseen ,presence2 endow us with ,thy strength that1 in joy and pain1 it may lead us into ,thy house not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens4 ,enable us so to use the things of the world that while they abide we may not lose ,thy presence1 and when they pass we may not stand alone4 ,so shall the spirit of ,christ inflame us4 ,amen4 ,,frederick ,w4 ,,perkins4 ,august #ae ,it ain't no use to grumble and complain1 ,it's just as cheap and easy to rejoice2 ,when ,god sorts out the weather and sends rain1 ,why1 rain's my choice4 ,,james ,,whitcomb ,,riley4 ,when you get into a tight place1 and everything goes against you1 till it seems as if you could not hold on a minute longer1 never give up then1 for that's just the place and time that the tide will turn4 ,,harriet ,,beecher ,,stowe4 ,father1 we pray ,thee that in every emergency of our lives we may be faithful to the duty which the day demands1 and with reverent spirits acquit us like men1 doing what should be done1 bearing what must be borne1 and so growing greater from our toil and our sufferings1 till we transfigure ourselves into noble images of humanity1 which are blameless within and beautiful without1 and acceptable to ,thy spirit4 ,so may ,thy kingdom come and ,thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven2 for ,thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory1 the dominion and honor forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,,theodore ,,parker4 ,august #af ,it was only a glad ,good ,morning ,as she passed along the way2 ,but it spread the morning's glory ,over the livelong day4 ,,carlotta ,,perry4 ,smile upon the troubled pilgrims ,whom you pass and meet2 ,frowns are thorns1 and smiles are blossoms1 ,oft to weary feet4 ,do not make the way seem harder ,by a sullen face2 ,smile a little1 smile a little1 ,brighten up the place4 ,,ella ,,wheeler ,,wilcox4 ,father1 in this morning hour1 we would look into ,thy face and feel the sweetness of that transforming influence which is forever baptizing ,thy world with light and gladness1 adding beauty to beauty and glory to glory4 ,baptize us anew1 with this all-pervading spirit and send us out into this day's work to meet its varied experiences with trusting hearts and smiling faces4 ,may we each send forth a brightening1 gladdening influence to cheer and strengthen and uplift every weary1 troubled pilgrim whom we meet on this day's journey4 ,so may it be ours to enter into closer and diviner fellowship with ,thee1 our ,father1 whose greatest joy is to impart joy and blessing to ,thy waiting children4 ,amen4 ,,annette ,j4 ,,shaw4 ,august #ag ,there are nettles everywhere1 ,but smooth green grasses are more common still2 ,the blue of heaven is larger than the cloud4 ,,elizabeth ,,barrett ,,browning4 ,flower in the crannied wall1 ,i pluck you out of the crannies2-- ,hold you here1 root and all1 in my hand1 ,little flower--but if ,i could understand ,what you are1 root and all1 and all in all1 ,i should know what ,god and man is4 ,,alfred ,,tennyson4 ,o ,thou1 ,who hast gemmed the heavens with round1 revolving worlds1 the earth with beauty and the coronet of our minds with royal faculties1 we do not know what the little flower is1 root and all1 and all in all and yet1 dear ,lord1 through the clear and the convincing revelation of ,thy dear ,son2 through the divine image which ,thou hast implanted within us2 through the mighty and the persuasive witness from experience1 we do feel and believe that ,thou art the great creator1 preserver and benefactor2 ,that ,thou hast called us to do a noble1 a specific work2 that we ought not to neglect the gift that is in us2 to this end wilt ,thou help us to be pure1 brave1 faithful and strong1 that we may fight the good fight1 and win the crown of righteousness4 ,amen4 ,,albert ,,hammatt4 ,august #ah ,o ye1 so far above me on the ,height1 ,i cannot hear your voices as ye stand ,facing the vast1 invisible to me4 ,but ,i can see your gestures of delight1 ,and something guess of that wide1 glorious sea1 ,the glimmering isles of that enchanted land1 ,the winds which from that ocean freshly blow4 ,and so your ,vision lifts me toward the ,height1 ,although ye have forgot me far below4 ,but you1 my brother1 you1 my near of kin1 ,who some few steps above me on the steep ,look smiling back to cheer me ever on1 ,who lend a hand as ,i the chasm leap1 ,and stay your haste that ,i the crag may win1 ,thinking it scorn for ,strength to climb alone2 ,you with your morning song when sings the lark1 ,you1 with unflagging purpose at high noon1 ,and quiet-hearted trust when comes the dark1-- ,to you ,i owe it that ,i climb at all4 ,,mary ,,frances ,,wright4 ,spirit of the ,infinite ,life6 ,we praise ,thee that our visions of the ,divinest rise far beyond the borders of our known and familiar fields1 that the resources of our unwearied life are in those mysterious regions that we have not explored4 ,and yet we rejoice that the shadows of these holy visions fall across our common ways1 reporting thus from the ,infinite and the unknown the possibilities of greater fortunes yet to be4 ,in this life of ,thee may we dwell1 seeing ,thee in the life about us and evermore seeking to lead the life toward those high places that are always waiting the coming of those who aspire toward ,thee4 ,amen4 ,e4 ,l4 ,,rexford4 ,august #ai ,the flowers got into a debate one morning as to which of them was the flower of ,god3 and the rose said3 ,i am the flower of ,god1 for ,i am the fairest and the most perfect in beauty and variety of form and delicacy of fragrance of all the flowers4 ,and the crocus said3 ,no1 you are not the flower of ,god4 ,why1 ,i was blooming long before you bloomed4 ,i am the primitive flower2 ,i am the first one4 ,and the lily of the valley said modestly3 ,i am small1 but ,i am white2 perhaps ,i am the flower of ,god4 ,and the trailing arbutus said3 ,before any of you came forth ,i was blooming under the leaves and under the snow4 ,am ,i not the flower of ,god8 ,and all the flowers cried out3 ,no1 you are no flower at all2 you are a come-outer4 ,and then ,god's wind1 blowing on the garden1 brought this message to them3 ,little flowers1 do you not know that every flower that answers ,god's spring call1 and comes out of the cold1 dark earth1 and lifts its head above the sod and blooms forth1 catching the sunlight from ,god and flinging it back to men1 taking the sweet south wind from ,god and giving it back to others in sweet and blessed fragrance--do you not know they are all ,god's flowers8 ,,lyman ,,abbott4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 in ,thy sight1 there are no nations1 there is no north and no south1 no east and no west2 there is no black and no white2 ,jew and ,gentile1 bond and free1--all are ,thine4 ,o1 ,lord1 give us so much breadth of sympathy that we shall be able to understand at least dimly the universality of ,thy love4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,august #bj ,sound1 sound the clarion1 fill the fife6 ,to all the sensual world proclaim ,one crowded hour of glorious life ,is worth an age without a name4 ,,walter ,,scott4 ,do not pray for easy lives4 ,pray to be stronger men4 ,do not pray for tasks equal to your powers4 ,pray for powers equal to your tasks4 ,then the doing of your work shall be no miracle4 ,but you shall be a miracle4 ,every day you shall wonder at yourself1 at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of ,god4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for the rest of the night and the joy and beauty of the morning4 ,this day we accept as a loving tribute of ,thy ,love to ,thy children4 ,may we not mar it by unhallowed thoughts1 unkind1 hasty and regretful speech and shameful and evil deeds4 ,may ours be the illumination which comes from moral and spiritual conquest4 ,may we feel the ties that bind us tenderly to ,thee and to one another2 and work for that large human brotherhood1 which holds in its strong embrace even the most distant and isolated member of the human family4 ,may we go forth to our work with a deep and abiding faith in the power of good over evil and willing to do our share in the building up of ,thy kingdom of love and righteousness1 peace and good will here upon earth4 ,amen4 ,,hendrik ,,vossema4 ,august #ba ,we learn wisdom from failure much more than from success1 often discover what will do by finding out what will not do1 and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery4 ,horne ,tooke used to say of his studies in intellectual philosophy that he had become all the better acquainted with the country through having had the good luck sometimes to lose his way4 ,,samuel ,,smiles4 ,our ,father1 in the strength of our nightly rest and daily bread we go forth to whatever needs us or awaits us4 ,nothing from ,thee is too difficult for us to attempt2 nothing too grievous for us to bear4 ,teach us how priceless is ,thy gift of life1 how close we are to the fountain of strength1 how sure of success is every effort to bring good to pass4 ,reverently and believingly would we hearken to ,thee in our inmost souls4 ,let not our failures dishearten us1 or the delay of results cause chill of doubt or fear4 ,may our presence have strength and peace for others1 and our lives proclaim that ,thou livest and art good to all4 ,in the name of ,christ we lift our prayer4 ,amen4 ,,samuel ,c4 ,,beane4 ,august #bb ,at ,bannockburn ,lord ,randolph ,murray was being sorely pressed by a large body of cavalry4 ,sir ,james ,douglas got leave from ,bruce to go to his aid1 but just as he came up he found the ,english in disorder1 and many horses galloping away with empty saddles4 ,halt6 he cried to his men2 ,these brave men have already repulsed the enemy2 let us not diminish their glory by seeking to share it4 ,,william ,,moodie4 ,o ,god of ,hosts6 ,on many a field of battle wilt ,thy soldiers fight this day4 ,help them to be brave and true4 ,give them a glorious victory4 ,help us who watch to give them full credit for their valor4 ,may we not diminish by seeking to share their glory4 ,may we not render their deeds commonplace by insisting that ,it is so easy1 so natural1 for them to be good1 implying that their struggle has not been hard or that their victories had not been what ours have proven to be4 ,help us1 ,o ,lord1 with valor to fight our own battles and run our own race and with gratitude to be glad in others' victories4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,,frank ,,chase4 ,august #bc ,the bee that sips her sweets from flowers fair1 ,flying on careless wing now here1 now there1 ,with azure skies above1 green sward below1 ,and soft south wind to bear her to and fro1 ,might seem the soul of self-devoted ease1 ,her life a draught of nectar without lees4 ,not so6 ,her prime is full of strenuous deed ,that shames our own in generous meed ,of work for other's good4 ,long summer days ,she builds her golden house1 with guerdons stays ,her ,queen1 uprears her young1 and stores her food-- ,then sudden shuns her wealth1 her home1 her brood1 ,and seeks new haven on an unknown sea1 ,leaving her life-work to posterity4 ,,henry ,,hoyt ,,moore4 ,gracious ,father in heaven1 and all about me1 ,thy gentleness doth ever tend to make life greater and richer4 ,thy providence is so wholesomely good1 ,i would fain be completely at home in it4 ,thou art very gracious4 ,help me to be as gracious in my way as ,thou art in ,thy wonderful way4 ,when ,i acknowledge that ,thou art good and wise1 there comes a joyous freedom to my spirit that makes life a sweet pleasure4 ,i desire ever to work in the fulness of this faith without grudging1 without suspecting1 an open1 glad and fruitful service4 ,oh1 help me then to love my fellows more1 and ,thee sincerely6 ,amen4 ,,elihu ,,grant4 ,august #bd ,drudgery is the gray angel of success4444 ,look at the leaders in the professions1 the solid men in business1 the master-workmen who begin as poor boys and end by building a town to house their factory-hands1 they are drudges of the single aim4444 ,one thing ,i do4444 ,mr4 ,maydole1 the hammer-maker of ,central ,new ,york1 was an artist3 ,yes1 he said1 ,i have made hammers for twenty-eight years4 ,well1 then you ought to be able to make a pretty good hammer by this time4 ,no1 sir1 was the answer1 ,i never made a pretty good hammer--,i make the best hammer made in the ,united ,states4 ,,william ,c4 ,,gannett4 ,o ,lord1 we remember our daily duties before ,thee1 the hard toil which ,thou givest us in our manifold and various avocations1 and we pray ,thee that there may be in us such a confidence in our nature1 such earnest obedience to ,thee1 we reverencing all ,thy qualities and keeping ,thy commands1 that we shall serve ,thee every day1 making our life one great act of holiness unto ,thee4 ,may our continuous industry be so squared by the golden rule that it shall nicely fit with the interests of all with whom we have to do1 and so by our handicraft all mankind shall be blessed4 ,amen4 ,,theodore ,,parker4 ,august #be ,his larger life ye cannot miss ,in gladly1 nobly using this4 ,,bayard ,,taylor4 ,there are saints enough if we only know how to find them--sainthoods of the fireside and of the market place4 ,they wear no glory round their heads2 they do their duties in the strength of ,god2 they have their martyrdoms and win their palms1 and though they get into no calendars1 they leave a benediction and a force behind them on the earth when they go up to heaven4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,our ,father1 in ,whose life are our lives1 help us to use all things nobly and so find joy in ,thee4 ,we thank ,thee for faithful souls who in humblest station have reflected ,thy life and have worked for blessing4 ,in ,thy strength they have sought to build ,thy kingdom1 and though they have had no glory of men they yet have wrought for ,thee and have won place in ,thy heart4 ,because they have aided the world and others have entered into their labors their good work shall remain and its quiet influence shall be a benediction4 ,though they have lived obscure lives and have filled obscure places they have been precious in ,thy sight and are numbered with ,thy saints4 ,may we1 like them1 eternally serve ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,george ,h4 ,,young4 ,august #bf ,we can't choose happiness either for ourselves or for another2 we can't tell where that will lie4 ,we can only choose whether we will indulge ourselves in the present moment1 or whether we will renounce that for the sake of obeying the divine voice within us1--for the sake of being true to all the motives that sanctify our lives4 ,i know this belief is hard2 it has slipped away from me again and again2 but ,i have felt that if ,i let it go forever1 ,i should have no light through the darkness of this life4 ,,george ,,eliot4 ,o ,god1 ,thou knowest the hours in which we desire ,thee4 ,thou knowest that ,thou hast made us to love truth and to walk in the light and when we are unjust1 unkind1 unloving1 then we are not true to ourselves1--then we forget that we are living souls and that ,thou art our ,father4 ,let us not draw nigh to ,thee with our lips while our hearts are far from ,thee1 but1 knowing how dependent and frail we are1 may we feel that it is a good and helpful thing to draw nigh unto ,thee by faith and prayer1--and to take thought of that ,infinite ,love which holds us all in its arms of strength and mercy4 ,lift up our minds today1 warm our affections1 and deepen within us the feeling of reverence1 of gratitude1 and guide all the longings of our hearts aright4 ,amen4 ,,joshua ,,young4 ,august #bg ,life may be given in many ways1 ,and loyalty to truth be sealed ,as bravely in the closet as the field1 ,so bountiful is fate2 ,but then to stand beside her1 ,when craven churls deride her1 ,to front a lie in arms and not to yield1 ,this shows1 methinks1 ,god's plan ,and measure of a stalwart man1 ,limbed like the old heroic breeds1 ,who stands self-poised on manhood's solid earth1 ,not forced to frame excuses for his birth1 ,fed from within with all the strength he needs4 ,,james ,,russell ,,lowell4 ,heavenly ,father1 in this new day may we recognize a new opportunity for seeking ,thy purpose in us2 to become stronger children of ,thine1 and worthier followers of ,thy ,son4 ,whatever be our trial give us courage to stand without compromise1 for that which we believe to be true2 give us grace to rise superior to praise or blame1 timidity or self-interest2 to be loyal to the best in us1 and be ever ready to protest against wrong and injustice4 ,help us to know ourselves as temples of ,thine2 to know that the essential principal in us is not dust1 but ,god2 to rise to that dignity of sonship that compels one to choose the right and say3 ,here ,i stand1 ,i cannot do otherwise4 ,in ,his name4 ,amen4 ,,herbert ,h4 ,,graves4 ,august #bh ,all we have willed or hoped or dreamed of good1 shall exist2 ,not its semblance1 but itself2 no beauty1 nor good1 nor power ,whose voice has gone forth1 but each survives for the melodist1 ,when eternity affirms the conception of an hour4 ,the high that proved too high1 the heroic for earth too hard1 ,the passion that left the ground to lose itself in the sky1 ,are music sent up to ,god by the lover and the bard2 ,enough that he heard it once3 we shall hear it by and by4 ,,robert ,,browning4 ,o ,god1 our heavenly ,father6 we come before ,thee at this morning hour1 thanking ,thee for ,thy loving care1 that has protected us through the night1 and for the blessed sleep1 that has brought refreshment to our bodies and minds4 ,we are grateful1 ,o ,father1 for this new day1 rich in hope and promise and opportunity1 and we pray that1 as its hours pass1 we may be kept very near to ,thee1 that the ,words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart1 may be acceptable in ,thy sight1 that when the day is done1 and we come to ,thee at its close1 we need in no wise to be ashamed4 ,amen4 ,,nellie ,,mann ,,opdale4 ,august #bi ,how often does the chopper of some stone1 ,while toiling at his task of heave and shock1 ,find in the heart-space of a severed rock ,the impress of some fern that once had grown1 ,full of aspiring life and color-tone1 ,deep in the forest where the shadows flock1 ,till1 caught within the adamantine block1 ,it lay for ages hidden and unknown6 ,so many a beauteous thought blooms in the mind ,but unexpressed1 droops down into the soul ,and lies unuttered in the silence there ,until some opener of the soul shall find ,the fern-like fossilled dream1 complete and whole1 ,and marvel at its beauty past compare4 ,,alfred ,l4 ,,donaldson4 ,o mighty ,potter1 to whose steadfast eyes ,a thousand years lie open as one day1 ,thy patient hand set firm on life's great wheel ,this heavy1 shapeless clay4 ,rough and imperfect1 yet it owns ,thy touch2 ,spare not1 nor stay1 the pressure of ,thine hand2 ,make known ,thy power2 and soon1 or late1 let love ,perfect what love hath planned6 ,amen4 ,l4 ,h4 ,,hammond4 ,august #cj ,the dark green summer1 with its massive hues1 ,fades into ,autumn's tincture manifold2 ,a gorgeous garniture of fire and gold ,the high slope of the ferny hill indues4 ,the mists of morn in slumbering layers diffuse ,o'er glimmering rock1 smooth lake1 and spiked array ,of hedgerow thorns a unity of gray4 ,all things appear their tangible form to lose ,in ghostly vastness4 ,but anon the gloom ,melts1 as the sun puts off his muddy veil4 ,and now the birds their twittering songs resume1 ,all summer silent in the leafy dale4 ,in spring they piped of love on every tree1 ,but now they sing the song of memory4 ,,hartley ,,coleridge4 ,ever blessed ,father1 in ,whose pleasant world we are glad to awake again1 looking forward to a happy and useful day1 we beseech ,thy loving guidance through these hours4 ,may we look abroad with gratitude and love upon this beautiful earth1 doubly beautiful in the waning summer time1 when a new splendor comes across the hills1 and ,thou dost reveal ,thyself1 as of old1 in the burning bush4 ,grant that we may look through nature up to nature's ,god4 ,grant that the mists of doubt and uncertainty which often hide ,thee from us may be dispersed in the sunlight of a happy faith1 and that the heart1 so often sad and silent1 may once more lift its cheerful song to ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,alfred ,,gooding4 ,august #ca ,no rare creative inspirations throng ,my quiet spirit1 silent1 sad and lone2 ,no ,sapphic flame hath on its altar shone2 ,no music to my nature doth belong4 ,thou art the sunlight1 ,i am ,memnon's stone1 ,thou art the zephyr1 ,i give back its song2 ,the harp ,aeolian can do no wrong ,to the soft airs which wake an answering tone3 ,upon my soul1 ,oh1 then breathe tenderly2 ,subdue the discord1 still the jarring strain2 ,so may the harp-strings yield but melody4 ,if notes discordant give thy keen ear pain1 ,set the fine chords again to harmony2 ,let but sweet echoes of thyself remain4 ,,ada ,,foster ,,murray4 ,o ,thou ,who art the source of all that is and the giver of all that makes life blessed1 we thank ,thee that ,thy providence abides through every change and that ,thou dost cheer the loneliest lot with the comfort of ,thy presence4 ,thou hast been with us in times past and now on this last day of the summer months1 we would thank ,thee for the blessings of the closing season and ask for the continuance of ,thy unfailing care and the enrichment of our souls with the gifts of ,thy ,spirit4 ,bring us into harmony with all that is pure and good1 and enable us to walk in the light of ,thy favor and in the paths of ,thy commandments4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,h4 ,,vail4 ,september #a ',neath harvest moon the stricken summer lies ,still smiling bravely in her brightest bloom1 ,her heart yet holds no hint of gloom1 ,no trace of sadness in her sunlit eyes4 ,we love thee1 ,summer1 child of ,paradise-- ,a myriad host announce thy coming doom ,chanting the requiem of thy wintry tomb1 ,while lovingly look down the tender skies2 ,a holy hush is in the hazy air ,as in thy radiant beauty thou dost sleep6 ,nature1 arrayed in rainbow colors fair1 ,is strong of heart her vigil long to keep3 ,we know the secret thou dost seek to tell1-- ,thou art immortal1 ,summer1 fare thee well4 ,,anna ,a4 ,,gordon4 ,heavenly ,father1 behind all changes dost ,thou lurk in eternal constancy4 ,never lingering1 each good of life gives place to the better ,thou hast in store1 and in glory and gladness resigns to that which comes after4 ,from the good that is1 may we learn to pass cheerfully to the better that is to be1--from the cool morning and sunny noon to the purple gloaming and the star-lit night1 from the tender spring and glowing summer to the golden autumn and snow-pure winter1 from the sweet life that now is to that fulness of realization whose sweeter splendors eye hath not seen nor the heart of man conceived4 ,we place our hands in ,thine and would walk with ,thee in holiest trust and serenest peace4 ,amen4 ,,thomas ,w4 ,,illman4 ,september #b ,i will be happy all the day ,let come what may4 ',twas early morning when the word was said1 ,and like a journey 'cross a weary plain ,there stretched the hours1 but ,i was comforted ,as heart and voice sung o'er the sweet refrain1 ,i will be happy all the day ,let come what may4 ,i will make hope and only hope ,my horoscope4 ,the sombre1 brooding clouds of discontent ,oppress one's spirit like a throbbing pain2 ,one frets and moans in one's environment1 ,but with a look ahead ,i sing again1 ,i will make hope and only hope ,my horoscope4 ,,frederick ,a4 ,,bisbee4 ,yea1 ,lord1 we thank ,thee that we may hope and be happy all the day for ,omnipotence is our ,father and our changeless ,friend1 and we have naught to fear4 ,we are glad of life and thank ,thee for all that makes it heroic or beautiful or sweet4 ,we rejoice in our home1 in our dear ones1 and in the precious human loves that reflect the love divine4 ,pardon our sins1 we pray ,thee1 and work out ,thy purposes in us4 ,may we work and hope on and be glad in ,thee filling this day so full of useful employ that when the night shall come1 we shall lie down to sleep upon ,thy loving children like tired but happy children1 and so find rest and refreshment for another day with men and ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,carl ,f4 ,,henry4 ,september #c ,there's a dance of leaves in that aspen bower1 ,there's a titter of winds in that beechen tree1 ,there's a smile on the fruit1 and a smile on the flower1 ,and a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea4 ,,william ,,cullen ,,bryant4 ,o sweet ,september6 thy first breezes bring ,the dry leaf's rustle and the squirrel's laughter1 ,the cool1 fresh air1 whence health and vigor spring ,and promise of exceeding joy hereafter4 ,,george ,,arnold4 ,o ,lord1 we thank ,thee for the spring1 which brought her handsome promise1 for the gorgeous preparation which the summer made in his manly strength1 and we bless ,thee for the months of autumn1 whose sober beauty now is cast on every hill and every tree4 ,we thank ,thee for the harvests which the toil and the thought of man have gathered already from the surface of the ground1 or digged from its bosom4 ,we bless ,thee for the other harvests still growing beneath the earth1 or hanging abundant beauties in the autumnal sun from many a tree1 all over our blessed ,northern land4 ,amen4 ,,theodore ,,parker4 ,september #d ,do right1 and ,god's recompense to you will be the power to do more right4 ,give1 and ,god's reward to you will be the spirit of giving more3 blessed spirit1 for it is the ,spirit of ,god ,himself1 whose ,life is the blessedness of giving4 ,love1 and ,god will pay you with the capacity of more love2 for love is ,heaven1 love is ,god within you4 ,,frederick ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,o ,lord1 we thank ,thee for ,thy manifold gifts unto the children of men4 ,thou givest life and all the sustenance of life4 ,thou givest our fair and beautiful world4 ,thou givest us the power of hope and faith and thought4 ,from ,thine own giving may we learn that it is more blessed to give than to receive4 ,teach us1 ,o ,lord1 to give more freely and more gladly1 and may we learn how our own life1 and joy and growth are involved in the spirit in which we give and serve4 ,in all our giving and all our serving may we keep before us the vision of the ,master who gave ,himself that we might live4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,september #e ,our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting3 ,the soul that rises with us1 our life's star1 ,hath had elsewhere its setting1 ,and cometh from afar4 ,not in entire forgetfulness1 ,and not in utter nakedness1 ,but trailing clouds of glory1 do we come ,from ,god who is our home3 ,heaven lies about us in our infancy1 ,at length the man perceives it die away ,and fade into the light of common day4 ,,william ,,wordsworth4 ,o ,eternal ,god1 ,who art without beginning of days or end of years1 from ,whom cometh all our life2 pardon1 we beseech ,thee1 the sins of ,thy children1 wherein we have darkened ,thine own image within us4 ,let not our light die away amid the common toil and daily care1 but so glorify our life with ,thy spirit1 that we may gladly present both souls and bodies to ,thy service an acceptable sacrifice1 and1 learning to love ,thee above all things1 may be approved in ,thy sight as true disciples of ,thy ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,william ,e4 ,,gaskin4 ,september #f ,a haze on the far horizon1 ,the infinite tender sky1 ,the ripe1 rich tint of the corn-fields1 ,and the wild geese sailing high1 ,and all over upland and lowland ,the charm of the goldenrod-- ,some of us call it ,autumn1 ,and others call it ,god4 ,,william ,h4 ,,carruth4 ,once more1 ,o ,god1 ,thou partest the curtains of night to bless us with a new day4 ,in its dawning ,thou revealest ,thyself to us anew4 ,fresh beauties break upon our vision2 new evidences of ,thy goodness appear2 new joys rise in our hearts4 ,we thank ,thee for the harvest of corn that feeds our bodies and the harvest of beauty that feeds our souls2 for the blue of the distant hills and the wide stretch of meadow and prairie2 for golden flower and flying bird2 for the nearness of ,thy presence in the brooding haze2 for the thoughts unutterable that rise within us4 ,in thankfulness may we go forth to our daily tasks and live in consciousness of ,thy eternal presence and love4 ,amen4 ,,rodney ,f4 ,,johonnot4 ,september #g ,i come under your windows1 some fine morning1 and play you one of my adagio movements1 and some of you say1--,this is good1 play us so always4 ,but1 dear friends1 if ,i did not change the stop sometimes1 the machine would wear out in one part and rust in another4 ,how easily this or that tune flows6 you say1 there must be no end of such melodies in him4 ,i will open the poor machine for you one moment1 and you shall look4 ,every note marks where a spur of steel has been driven in4 ,it is easy to grind out the song1 but to plant these bristling points which make it was the painful task of time4 ,,oliver ,,wendell ,,holmes4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,father1 for ,thy love which1 like the morning light1 fails not to greet us at each opening day4 ,while its radiant beams light up the pathway from our hearts to ,thine1 we come1 with eager steps1 for morning worship and for praise4 ,take ,thou1 we pray1 the hand outstretched out to ,thee and lead us safely through another day4 ,grant us the strength to do our very best and leave results with ,thee4 ,we do not ask for ease1 but victory2 not for the praise of men1 but for the blessing of our ,god upon our heaven-appointed task4 ,grant us the joy supreme of knowing1 when the sun has set1 that we have left undone no duty to our ,god or fellowman4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,w4 ,,annas4 ,september #h ,admit into thy silent breast ,the notes of but one bird ,and instantly thy soul will join ,in jubilant accord4 ,the perfume of a single flow'r ,inhale like breath of ,god1 ,and in the garden of thy heart ,a thousand buds will nod4 ,toward one star in heaven's expanse ,direct thy spirit's fight1 ,and thou wilt have in the wide world1 ,my child1 enough delight4 ,,johanna ,,ambrosius4 ,our ,father ,in ,heaven1 as ,thou turnest the earth once more toward the light to give us another day may we not forget that all things come of ,thee4 ,thou givest us this beautiful earth1 adorned with a thousand varied beauties1 crowded with opportunities and possibilities1 for our home4 ,day and night1 sunshine and the rain1 labor and trial1 joy and victory1 all are from ,thy hand4 ,whatever the circumstances of our life1 whatever our labor and place1 help us to remember that life is a school in which to learn1 an arena where we may fight and win4 ,may we gain wisdom and strength to win the victory which is life eternal1 and in finding that may we find peace and content in ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,frederick ,a4 ,,taylor4 ,september #i ,give me the gospel of the fields and woods-- ,the sermons written in the book of books2 ,the sweet communion of the things of earth ,fresh with the warm baptism of the sun4 ,give me the offertory of bud and bloom1 ,the perfect caroling of happy birds4 ,give me the creed of one of ,god's fair days ,wrought in the beauty of its loveliness2 ,and then1 the benediction of the stars1 ,his eloquent ministers of the night4 ,,james ,,ravenscroft4 ,heavenly ,father1 we praise ,thee for the breaking day1 the singing birds1 the dew in the meadows1 the fragrance of the flowers1 ascending like old-time incense from ,jewish altar1 the sun gilding the hill-tops1 the veiled stars1 the gliding river1 mirroring in its depths1 sedge and tree and overhanging sky4 ,thou hast ordained that we nestle in the bosom of nature and feel the touch of ,god4 ,pour strength into our beings from bird and flower1 and ,thy spirit which moves in them1 that our youth may be renewed like the eagle's4 ,so shall the memories of earth enrich our heaven4 ,we praise and supplicate in the name of ,jesus4 ,amen4 ,l4 ,a4 ,,freeman4 ,september #aj ,just whistle a bit if the day be dark ,and the sky be overcast3 ,if mute be the voice of the piping lark1 ,why1 pipe your own small blast4 ,and it's wonderful how o'er the gray sky-track1 ,the truant warbler comes stealing back4 ,but why need he come8 for your soul's at rest1 ,and the song in the heart1--ah1 that is best4 ,,paul ,,laurence ,,dunbar4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for the assurance that all things work together for good to them that love ,thee4 ,help us to live this day in joyous faith in that promise4 ,may we realize that behind all clouds the sun still shines1 and that the ,father's wisdom never errs1 and his love never fails4 ,give us courage for this day's conflicts1 grace for its trials1 and strength for its duties4 ,guide our feet in the way of ,thy commandments and fill our souls with the joy of ,thy presence4 ,may our lives no less than our lips praise ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,f4 ,,rice4 ,september #aa ,for each true deed is worship2 it is prayer1 ,and carries its own answer unaware4 ,yes1 they whose feet upon good errands run ,are friends of ,god1 with ,michael of the sun2 ,yes1 each accomplished service of the day ,paves for the feet of ,god a lordlier way4 ,the souls that love and labor through all wrong1 ,they clasp ,his hand and make the ,circle strong2 ,they lay the deep foundation stone by stone1 ,and build into ,eternity ,god's throne6 ,,edwin ,,markham4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we1 ,thy children1 turn to ,thee in gratitude and hope for this new day of opportunity4 ,may our high calling in ,christ ,jesus loom large before our eyes4 ,deliver us1 we humbly beseech ,thee1 from making ourselves and our concerns chief in thought and effort4 ,may we find our lives in saving those whose sky is dark1 whose burdens are heavy1 and whose faith is perishing4 ,with zest1 as do the angels1 when we hear ,thy ,spirit's voice1 may we turn and obey4 ,to let these hours of service prove to us1 not only that ,thou art1 but that ,thou art the rewarder of them that diligently seek ,thee4 ,through ,jesus ,christ1 our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,dewitt ,s4 ,,clark4 ,september #ab ,good name1 in man or woman1 dear my lord1 ,is the immediate jewel of their souls4 ,who steals my purse1 steals trash2 'tis something1 nothing2 ',twas mine1 'tis his1 and has been slave to thousands2 ,but he that filches from me my good name1 ,robs me of that which not enriches him1 ,and makes me poor indeed4 ,,shakespeare4 ,god of all righteousness and charity1 breathe upon me the spirit of thine own charity and righteousness1 that ,i may deal worthily with the good name of every human being with whom ,i have to do4 ,help me1 that ,i may bring no injury to the fair fame of any4 ,may the law of kindness be in my lips1 and the spirit of helpful justice in my heart4 ,inspire me to come1 whenever ,i ought1 to the rescue of the slandered1 that ,i may deliver them into the liberty of human fellowship4 ,and not to me alone1 ,o ,god1 but to all men1 teach this divine lesson of fair judgment and sweet help1 that they may live together as children in thy gracious family4 ,amen4 ,,william ,n4 ,,clarke4 ,september #ac ,i searched for love in heart of city's hum2 ,i searched for love upon the shining sand ,of ocean beach2 and then on towering cliffs ,i sung ,a pleading song that love unto my heart might come2 ,but love came not4 ,i searched for love no more1 but labored sore ,to ease those hearts whom sorrow'd touched before1 ,faint hope that in sweet work ,i'd surely find ,some compensation for a fate unkind-- ,when1 lo6 love came4 ,,bessie ,l4 ,,russell4 ,for love and life and light and breath and ease1 ,for work1 success and hope1 for power to please1 ,for conscience clear1 for faith without alloy1 ,for common share in common human joy1 ,i thank ,thee1 gracious ,god6 ,for loneliness and shadow1 sickness1 care1 ,for failure1 doubt1 remorse1 death1 and despair1 ,for sleepless nights1 for aching heart and brain1 ,for common share in common human pain1 ,i thank ,thee1 gracious ,god6 ,amen4 ,,margaret ,,wentworth4 ,september #ad ,in fallow fields the goldenrod ,and purple asters beck and nod4 ,the milkweed launches fairy boats2 ,in tangled silver the cobweb floats4 ,pervasive odors of ripening vine1 ,fill the air like a luscious wine4 ,the gentian blooms on the browning waste2 ,with coral chains is the alder laced4 ,the blackbirds gather1 and wheel and fly1 ,the swallows twitter a low ,goodbye6 ,,sara ,,andrew ,,shafer4 ,father in ,heaven1 we love ,thee1 we cannot help it4 ,thy blessings around us on every side tell us of ,thy love4 ,our love leaps involuntarily from our hearts responsive to these numberless delights4 ,we thank ,thee for the rich harvests that burden the fields1 for the acres of beauty that reach over hill and through meadow1 for the stars that make cheerful the night4 ,help us to bless ,thee when the storms come to disappoint and destroy4 ,may we realize that the tempest comes from the ,good ,father1 that ,he has sent it1 a great blessing in disguise4 ,great ,father1 help us to know and feel that everything coming from ,thee is good4 ,so may ,thy ,kingdom come to ,thy children of earth4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,,edward ,,davis4 ,september #ae ,once1 out of all the anguish and the sorrow of my heart1 ,i wrote a song1 and put my pent-up passion in its art4 ,and the great world never heeded this soulful human groan1 ,for it bore a burden infinitely heavy of its own4 ,once1 out of all the happiness and joy within my breast1 ,i made a little song and blithely sent it on its quest4 ,and the great world1 with its infinitely many joys1 divine1 ,still had room and instant welcome for this little song of mine4 ,,william ,f4 ,,dix4 ,o ,god1 ,i thank ,thee that ,thou hast numbered me with the children of the day4 ,o ,immanuel1 make ,thy ,presence to be a sun within me this day4 ,may ,i dispel clouds or reveal the rainbows ever half-hidden in robes of mists4 ,may ,i melt snows and bring spring-time freshets of joy4 ,may ,i shed light that shall turn groans into songs4 ,may ,i shine on till ,i shall stand before the ,great ,white ,throne that is encompassed with an unbroken rainbow1 and take up the angelic music among that starry host of souls who have found the true music of the spheres1 and are3 ,forever singing as they shine1 ',the hand that made us is divine4' ,amen4 ,,elliott ,f4 ,,studley4 ,september #af ,all is best1 though we oft doubt ,what the unsearchable dispose ,of highest wisdom brings about1 ,and ever best found in the close4 ,oft ,he seems to hide ,his face1 ,but unexpectedly returns1 ,and to his faithful champion hath in place ,bore witness gloriously4 ,,john ,,milton4 ,our ,father1 we have ever dwelt in ,thee1 though sometimes we have forgotten it4 ,while our eyes slept1 it may be that to our spirit's sight a ladder was set up on the earth and the top of it reached to heaven1 and on it ,thy angels were ascending and descending to help us4 ,now again1 ,o ,father1 comes to us from ,thy hand of love the food and the tasks of a new day4 ,help us then to put away the error from which we fled or should have fled yesterday4 ,this morning let us set up the stone of our ,bethel that through the day we may be reminded in all we do1 that ,thou art in this place with us4 ,whether we see ,thee or not1 let us take courage and make this a day nearer ,thee4 ,fill us with ,jesus' own large sympathies for others1 with ,jesus' purpose to seek and to serve the right1 and especially grant us ,jesus' complete trust in ,thy perfect goodness4 ,in ,his name1 we ask it4 ,amen4 ,,merrill ,c4 ,,ward4 ,september #ag ,as far as earth is from the sky1 ,so ,love is high4 ,where ,alpine lakes their vigils keep ,is ,love more deep4 ,in ,nature there no boundaries are ,that tell how far ,love goes2 ,love's measure1 as each countless star1 ,god knows4 99 99 99 99 99 ,one only thing we know3 ,love comes to stay2 ,though ,god's to give1 it is not even ,his ,to take away4 ,,marian ,,alden4 ,o ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 we recognize our dependence upon ,thee for the bounties of ,thy never-failing ,providence1 and as we enter upon this new day to which ,thou has safely brought us1 we ask ,thy help that we may receive it as a gift from ,thee and may consecrate ourselves more perfectly in the least things as well as in the greatest1 to ,thy service4 ,help us to be faithful to all the duties and responsibilities of our lot4 ,deliver us from all useless discontent1 all idle doubts and foolish fears4 ,in all our dealings may we be simple and sincere4 ,strengthen us to do at every moment that which we feel to be right and good in ,thy sight1 and through loyal obedience to ,thy will may we rise into a clearer vision of the things that belong to ,thy heavenly kingdom4 ,amen4 ,,william ,h4 ,,fish4 ,september #ah ,some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns4 ,i am thankful that thorns have roses4 ,,alphonse ,,karr4 ,there are those who want to get away from all their past2 who if they could1 would fain begin all over again4 ,their life seems one long failure4 ,but you must learn1 you must let ,god teach you1 that the only way to get rid of your past is to get a future out of it4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 the remembrance of ,thee fills life with all that is most beautiful and bright4 ,our deepest sorrows1 our most bitter experiences come when we forget ,thee4 ,no life can be a failure which strives to do ,thy will4 ,sorrow may come to us1 but just as an artist may darken a flower1 in painting1 before retouching it to make its color all the brighter1 so we know that ,thou1 who givest color to the flowers1 may for a season permit sorrow to darken our lives2 but ,thou art only in the midst of ,thy work4 ,at ,thy retouch1 life becomes the more beautiful4 ,help us to pray1 not simply1 ,lord1 remember me1 for it is not possible for ,thee to forget ,thy children2 we pray assist us to be always mindful of ,thee4 ,amen4 ,e4 ,,mcp4 ,,amee4 ,september #ai ,the sooner we read1 mark1 learn1 and inwardly digest a little ,eastern apothegm of ,howard ,hinton's the better3 ,two balls were together in a box1 a gold and a gilt ball4 ,the gilt ball was carefully done up in tissue paper1 and securely wedged into one corner2 but the gold ball was loose1 and went rolling about with every movement of the box4 ,oh1 please1 do take care of yourself6 said the gilt ball1 peeping out apprehensively from the folds of the tissue paper4 ,why1 where's the harm8 answered the gold ball1 as it took a fresh lurch to an opposite corner4 ,oh1 how can you8 cried the other2 you'll rub it off4 ,rub what off8 asked the gold ball4444 ,the gold won't rub off4444 ,only the gingerbread gilt4 ,,ellice ,,hopkins4 ,heavenly ,father1 we hear the loving call of this new day and on the wings of the morning we would speed to the work and worship of the beautiful hours ,thou hast given us4 ,we thank ,thee that ,thou hast made us for the hurry of the market place as well as for the quiet of the home4 ,may our own lives be brightened by contact with our fellowmen4 ,may the pure gold of the ,spirit of ,christ be ours in purity of personal thought1 in the benediction of words of strength and sweetness and in the varied service we may render our neighbors in the name of ,jesus our ,lord and ,saviour4 ,amen4 ,,james ,f4 ,,allen4 ,september #bj ,o heart of mine1 we shouldn't worry so6 ,what we've missed of calm we couldn't have1 you know6 ,what we've met of stormy pain1 ,and of sorrow's driving rain1 ,we can better meet again1 ,if it blow6 ,for we know1 not every morrow can be sad2 ,so1 forgetting all the sorrow ,we have had1 ,let us fold away our fears1 ,and put by our childish tears1 ,and through all the coming years1 ,just be glad4 ,,james ,,whitcomb ,,riley4 ,heavenly ,father1 ,thy very name fills our hearts with confidence and peace4 ,for we know that out of ,thy ,fatherly goodness all earthly providences are bestowed and administered for our good4 ,so1 for our unwilling submission1 when ,thou hast led us into hard and thorny pathways1 we ask ,thy generous forgiveness2 and for our ingratitude when pleasure and prosperity have attended us1 we entreat ,thy tender patience4 ,as ,thou hast commanded us to rejoice in ,thy salvation1 may our hearts be filled with gladness to-day2 and1 as ,thou hast counselled us that when we lack wisdom1 we may ask of ,thee1 we beseech ,thee to bestow upon us now and evermore the wisdom of cheerfulness and joy4 ,in the name of ,jesus1 ,amen4 ,,edmund ,l4 ,,smiley4 ,september #ba ,we all shrink1 like cowards1 from new duties1 new responsibilities4 ,we do not venture to go out of the beaten track of our daily life4 ,close to us1 on each side of the road1 are those whom we might help or save with one good action1 one kind word4 ,but we are afraid4 ,we say3 ,i am not prepared2 ,i am not ready2 ,i have not time2 ,i am not qualified2 find some better person2 send some one else4 ,perhaps we have only one talent1 and1 therefore1 instead of using it1 we hide it1 and when the ,master comes we shall meet him with the old answer3 ,i was afraid1 and went and hid thy talent in the earth4 ,lo6 there thou hast that is thine4 ,,james ,,freeman ,,clarke4 ,from the base sin of selfishness1 ,o ,lord1 deliver us4 ,teach us by ,thy life of ministry and sacrifice for others that the more fully and willingly we lose ourselves in service for our fellowmen1 the more surely we shall find ourselves in ,thee4 ,as we go forth this day in paths that ,thou hast prepared for us1 help us to so forget ourselves in acts of kindness and words of comfort that each one whom our lives may touch1 may become thereby a happier1 purer1 stronger soul4 ,take ,thou the care of these lives of ours1 while1 with ,thee1 in busy streets and crowded shops where greed is grasping and sin is lurking1 we shall try to care for souls of others1 who need the help that we might give4 ,then1 at the eventide today or on the morrow1 it will be our joy like ,thine to find ourselves again in hearts made happy1 in lives inspired1 in souls redeemed4 ,amen4 ,,george ,b4 ,,dean4 ,september #bb ,before ,god's footstool to confess ,a poor soul knelt and bowed his head1 ,i failed6 he wailed4 ,the ,master said1 ,thou didst thy best--that is success6 ,,anonymous4 ,straight from the ,mighty ,bow1 this truth is driven3 ,they fail1 and they alone1 who have not striven4 ,fly far1 ,o shaft of light1 all doubt redeeming1 ,rouse men from dull despair and idle dreaming4 ,high ,heaven's ,evangel be1 gospel ,god-given2 ,they fail1 and they alone1 who have not striven4 ,,clarence ,,urmy4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o ,god1 for the light that reveals to us the divine estimate of life1 that lifts the veil of mystery from struggle and sacrifice and enables us to interpret their meaning as elements of successful living4 ,we praise ,thee for the truth that assures us that we are in this world to win1 to overcome1 to be more than conquerors4 ,we pray that we may be too busy to dream and too brave to doubt4 ,strengthen us for life's conflict1 help us to carry our burdens cheerfully1 fight courageously1 strive lawfully1 that we may be worthy to be counted among those who shall receive the crown of righteousness and hear at last the ,well done of the ,master4 ,amen4 ,,george ,s4 ,,scrivener4 ,september #bc ,be diligent and faithful1 patient and hopeful1 one and all of you2 and may we all know1 at all times1 that verily the ,eternal rules above us1 and that nothing finally wrong has happened or can happen4 ,,thomas ,,carlyle4 ,if you entered the workshop of a blacksmith1 you would not dare to find fault with his bellows1 anvils and hammers4 ,if you had not the skill of a workman1 but the consideration of a man1 what would you say8 ,it is not without cause the bellows are placed there2 the artificer knew1 though ,i do not know1 the reason4 ,you would not dare to find fault with the blacksmith in his shop1 and do you dare to find fault with ,god in ,his world8 ,,st4 ,,bernard4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o loving ,father1 that we are not alone in the universe with longing for the higher life4 ,there are a thousand revelations of ,thee in our fellowmen4 ,and when we cannot find ,thee1 for blindness1 in nature or in ourselves1 we can see ,thee revealed in the lives heroic that surround us4 ,in the abstract ,thou art hard to find2 in the lives of men ,thou art always visible4 ,we thank ,thee that there is a contagion of rightness and that love is a vital seed that fills the world with its kind4 ,we are fearful of love sometimes1 fearing to waste it on a loveless world4 ,help us to see that every atom we give becomes an ocean to ourselves4 ,amen4 ,,albert ,c4 ,,grier4 ,september #bd ,to be at all--what is better than that8 ,i think if there were nothing more developed1 the clam in its callous shell in the sand were august enough ,i am not in any callous shell2 ,i am cased with supple conductors1 all over ,they take every object by the hand1 and lead it within me2 ,they are thousands1 each one with his entry to himself2 ,they are always watching with their little eyes1 from my head to my feet2 ,one no more than a point lets in and out of me such bliss and magnitude1 ,i think ,i could lift the girder of the house away if it lay between me and whatever ,i wanted4 ,,walt ,,whitman4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for all the delicate beauty as well as for the rugged strength of these bodies in which ,thou hast set us to live4 ,but more wonderful than the habitation of the soul is the soul itself4 ,thou hast made us a little lower than the angels1 ,thou hast crowned us with glory and honor1 and we join reverently in the words of the great poet-prophet who said of man--,in action how like an angel1 in apprehension how like a ,god6 ,o ,lord1 we thank ,thee for this great thought of our own life4 ,yet let us not be vain nor proud4 ,we pray rather that we may be inspired to live so earnestly and so nobly that we shall prove our title now to all that we have dreamed as our natural birthright4 ,so shall we feel ourselves to-day sons and daughters of ,god4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,september #be ,i do believe the common man's task is the hardest4 ,the hero has the hero's aspiration that lifts him to his labor4 ,all great duties are easier than the little ones1 though they cost far more blood and agony4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,thus man is made equal to every event4 ,he can face danger for the right4 ,a poor1 tender1 painful body1 he can run into flame or bullets or pestilence1 with duty for his guide4444 ,i am not afraid of accident as long as ,i am in my place4444 ,every man's task is his life-preserver4 ,the conviction that his work is dear to ,god and cannot be spared1 defends him4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,o ,thou ,who art the giver of every good and perfect gift1 help us better to understand the measure of ,thy giving2 that we count not those blessings only which make life smooth and easy and of tame comfort but the things that make life resolute and hearty1 and that put to test the vigor of our souls1 that give us chance to prove our high nobility and unfaltering courage2 the things that build for the soul's fine substance of eternal worth--these are ,thy blessings1 too1 for which we thank ,thee4 ,give us entrance into ,thine eternal living through strong activity and zest of life2 that manhood have its eager challenge and womanhood its glowing opportunity to assert themselves as winning joy through bafflement and ,thy strong peace that passeth not away1 through steadfast consecration to high service4 ,amen4 ,,george ,h4 ,,badger4 ,september #bf ,if ,i can put one touch of a rosy sunset into the life of any man1 or woman ,i shall feel that ,i have worked with ,god4 ,he is in no haste2 and if ,i do what ,i may in earnest ,i need not worry if ,i do no great work4 ,let ,god make ,his sunsets2 ,i will mottle my little cloud4 ,to help the growth of a thought that struggles toward the light1 to brush with gentle hand the earth stain from the white of one snowdrop--such be my ambition4 ,,george ,,macdonald4 ,help us1 our ,father1 to know that we have here at hand all that we need to make this day what it ought to be2 that we need not look afar1 but in the duty of this present moment1 in the opportunity to learn1 to serve and thus to grow1 which the morning offers1 is all that is necessary to make this day sound and serviceable2 in such a day we shall find enduring joy and from it ,thou1 the ,giver of all days1 wilt derive satisfaction1 since it will do its full share in fulfilling ,thy purpose4 ,and may we see that if we make our todays what they should be ,thou wilt take care of the tomorrows4 ,amen4 ,,herbert ,e4 ,,benton4 ,september #bg ,my neighbor hath a little field1 ,small store of wine its presses yield1 ,and truly but a slender hoard ,its harvest brings for barn or board4 ,yet tho' a hundred fields are mine1 ,fertile with olive1 corn and wine2 ,tho' ,autumn piles my garners high1 ,still for that little field ,i sigh4 ,for ah6 methinks no otherwhere ,is any field so good and fair4 ,small tho' it be1 'tis better far ,than all my fruitful vineyards are1 ,amid whose plenty sad ,i pine-- ,ah1 would the little field were mine6 ,large knowledge void of peace and rest1 ,and wealth with pining care possest-- ,these by my fertile lands are meant4 ,that little field is called ,content4 ,,robertson ,,trowbridge4 ,heavenly ,father1 as prayed ,thy servant of old1 so we this morning repeat ,give us neither poverty nor riches4 ,help us this day1 in whatsoever state we are1 therewith to be content4 ,may no complaining word proceed out of our mouths4 ,above all may no murmuring thought lodge within us4 ,so shall we rest in peace with ,thee1 and ,god1 even our ,god1 shall bless us4 ,yet1 ,o ,lord1 forbid that we should remain satisfied with any portion1 which our best effort1 with ,thine assistance1 can improve4 ,then shall we grow in grace and more and more approach the stature of true men and women1 in ,christ ,jesus4 ,amen4 ,m4 ,,emory ,,wright4 ,september #bh ,forenoon and afternoon and night--,forenoon ,and afternoon and night1--,forenoon1 and--what8 ,the empty song repeats itself4 ,no more8 ,yea1 that is life4 ,make this forenoon sublime1 ,this afternoon a psalm1 this night a prayer1 ,and time is conquered1 and thy crown is won4 ,,edward ,,rowland ,,sill4 ,help me1 ,o ,lord1 if ,i shall see ,times when ,i walk from hope apart1 ,till all my days but seem to be ,the troubled week-days of the heart4 ,help me to find1 in seasons past1 ,the hours that have been good or fair1 ,and bid remembrance hold them fast1 ,to keep me wholly from despair4 ,help me to look behind1 before1 ,to make my past and future form ,a bow of promise1 meeting o'er ,the darkness of my day of storm4 ,amen4 ,,phoebe ,,cary4 ,september #bi ,the iris-pillar suggested the burning bush on ,horeb4 ,in ,moses' time1 nature1 in the regard of science1 was a mere bush1 a single shrub4 ,now it has grown1 through the researches of the intellect1 to a tree4 ,the universe is a mighty tree2 and the great truth for us to connect with the majestic science of these days1 and to keep vivid by a religious imagination1 is1 that from the roots of its mystery to the silver-leaved boughs of the firmament1 it is continually filled with ,god1 and yet unconsumed4 ,t4 ,,starr ,,king4 ,almighty ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 who in all ages has been revealing ,thyself to men as a ,god of righteousness and love1 we approach ,thy throne of grace this morning confessing our unworthiness and pleading ,thy forgiving love4 ,while humbling ourselves before ,thee because of the consciousness of our unworthiness1 we yet approach ,thee1 our ,father1 with filial trust and confidence1 yea1 with gladness of heart and holy boldness in the all-prevailing name of ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,we bless ,thee for ,thy watchful care over us amid all the dangers1 temptations and difficulties of the past4 ,truly ,thou hast been with us1 and although ,thy people have often been surrounded by fire1 the bush has not been consumed4 ,in the future as in the past1 be ,thou our ,god and ,guide and finally bring us into ,thine everlasting ,kingdom1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,a4 ,k4 ,,maclennan4 ,september #cj ,would you like to hear what sort of questions the school-boys had to answer eighteen centuries ago8 ,very well2 you shall4 ,a rabbi1 who lived nearly twenty years before ,christ was born1 set his pupils thinking by asking them1 ,what is the best thing for a man to possess8 ,one of them replied1 ,a kind nature2 another1 ,a good companion2 another1 ,a good neighbor4 ,but one of them1 named ,eleazer1 said1 ,a good heart4 ,i like your answer best1 ,eleazer1 said the master1 for it includes all the rest4 ,,francis ,,augustus ,,cox4 ,our ,father in heaven1 we are happy to believe that ,thou dost wish us to have the best4 ,thou dost teach us that the best possession we can have is a good heart1 for out of the heart are the issues of life4 ,thou art the searcher of hearts1--if our hearts are hard ,thou canst give us hearts of flesh1 if they are sinful ,thou canst create clean hearts within us4 ,even if they are desperately wicked ,thou canst make them new4 ,grant us1 therefore1 ,thy ,holy ,spirit we humbly beseech ,thee1 that our hearts may be pure and good4 ,thus may we ever possess the best possible treasure1 and thus may we perfectly love ,thee and worthily magnify ,thy holy name4 ,through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,willard ,t4 ,,perrin4 ,october #a ,month of fruits and falling leaves1 ,under thy opalescent skies ,the vagrant summer idly lies1 ,while coming ,autumn deftly weaves ,rare tints for tall ungarnered sheaves ,of goldenrod1 kissing the eyes ,of purple asters as she dyes ,the vine that swings beneath the eaves4 ,and all the bending hedgerows seem ,a ,joseph's coat of colors4 ,hues ,that shame the rainbow's royal arch ,set all the harvest fields a-gleam ,with beauty1 fresh with fragrant dews ,to crown the season's onward march4 ,,george ,w4 ,,shipman4 ,author and ,giver of every good and perfect gift whose infinite presence and power underlie all growth and life and activity1 ,who revealest ,thyself in the varied forms of beauty which come so rapidly in the revolving year1 in the green grass and blossoming roses and lilies and refreshing1 fast-succeeding fruits1 we thank ,thee that ,thou art now crowning the year with ,thy goodness and inviting us to gather in from tree1 garden1 field1 forest1 mine1 what will feed1 clothe1 protect us during the wintry season given us1 free from arduous labors1 to find enjoyment in books1 music and social intercourse4 ,these blessings remind us to present to ,thee the fruits of the spirit1 love1 joy1 peace1 long suffering1 kindness1 goodness1 faithfulness1 meekness1 temperance4 ,amen4 ,,calvin ,s4 ,,locke4 ,october #b ,one answered1 on the day when ,christ went by1 ,lord1 ,i am rich2 pause not for such as ,i4 ,my work1 my home1 my strength1 my frugal store1 ,the sun and rain--what need have ,i of more8 ,go to the sinful who have need of ,thee1 ,go to the poor1 but tarry not for me4 ,what is there ,thou should'st do for such as ,i8 ,and ,he went by4 ,long years thereafter1 by a palace door1 ,the footstep of the ,master paused once more ,from whence the old voice answered piteously1-- ,lord1 ,i am poor1 my house unfit for ,thee2 ,nor peace nor pleasures bless my princely board1 ,nor love nor health2 what could ,i give ,thee1 ,lord8 ,lord1 ,i am poor1 unworthy1 stained with sin1-- ,yet ,he went in4 ,,mabel ,,earle4 ,we who are poor in spirit1 turn to ,thee who art the giver of every good and perfect gift1 to hold out our empty hands and pray that ,thou wilt make us rich4 ,during the past days and years we have been out in ,thy world striving for more things and then more things and yet more things1 forgetful of the fact that a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth4 ,now1 realizing the poverty of our real lives1 we ask ,thee to bestow upon us those eternal riches which pertain to the human soul and possessing which we shall have treasure in that heaven within where moth and rust do not corrupt nor thieves break through and steal4 ,so shall we be rich indeed4 ,amen4 ,,frank ,,oliver ,,hall4 ,october #c ,be strong6 ,we are not here to play1 to dream1 to drift4 ,we have hard work to do1 and loads to lift4 ,shun not the struggle2 face it4 ',tis ,god's gift4 ,be strong6 ,say not the days are evil1--who's to blame8 ,and fold the hands and acquiesce--,o shame6 ,stand up1 speak out1 and bravely1 in ,god's name4 ,be strong6 ,it matters not how deep intrenched the wrong1 ,how hard the battle goes1 the day how long1 ,faint not1 fight on6 ,tomorrow comes the song4 ,,maltbie ,,davenport ,,babcock4 ,o our ,father1 we thank ,thee for this new morning4 ,truly the light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the same4 ,lift ,thou upon us the light of ,thy countenance and bid us go in peace4 ,so shall we begin the day aright4 ,with gentle skill ,thou dost deal with us4 ,thou art not careless with us or hasty or impatient4 ,help us to be strong in ,thee4 ,may we be able to cast out of our lives everything that would grieve ,thee and harm us4 ,with a loving spirit may we serve ,thee this day4 ,may we be rooted and grounded in love4 ,however hard the battle may go give us courage and confidence to believe that through ,christ1 strengthening us1 we can do all things required of us4 ,lord1 increase our faith4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,e4 ,,hawkins4 ,october #d ,nobody proves ,god's being4 ,but1 suddenly1 one sees ,god is here4 ,one speaks and ,god answers4 ,thereafter all is sure4 ,,edward ,,everett ,,hale4 ,there is nothing that so persuades us of the great realities of moral and spiritual being as the man in whom ,god is manifest1 the type of our human nature at its best1 and the indorsement of the sublime faith that ,god in humanity is the supreme revelation of ,himself6 ,,horatio ,,stebbins4 ,blessed ,father1 as the morning light has triumphed in its struggle to overcome darkness1 so ,thou dost gently but irresistibly call us from slumber to the glories and duties of the new day4 ,may we be strong in the sweet assurance that the unfolding hours are full of blessing because ,thou art caring for us4 ,help us to do ,thy will by enabling us to minister to those around us4 ,may the words of our mouth and the industry of our hands reveal ,thy guiding love4 ,enable us to order our ways by the habit of trust that we have learned through ,thy constancy4 ,wilt ,thou disappoint our fears1 steady our hearts1 and show us the way of obedience1 peace and service that we may realize the good through the day and rejoice in it1 as disciples of ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,james ,d4 ,,corby4 ,october #e ,thou knowest not what argument ,thy life to thy neighbor's creed hath lent2 ,all are needed by each one2 ,nothing is good or fair alone4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,men will not be content to live every man for himself1 nor to die every man for himself4 ,in work1 in art1 in study1 in trade--in all life1 indeed1 the children of ,god1 called by a ,saviour's voice1 will wish to live in the common cause4 ,they will live for the common wealth1--this is the modern phrase4 ,they will bear each other's burdens1--this is the phrase of ,paul4 ,they will live in the life of love4 ,and it will prove true as it was promised1 that all things are added to the community which thus seeks the ,kingdom of ,god and ,his ,righteousness4 ,,edward ,,everett ,,hale4 ,eternal ,god1 who dost still create the light1 and make the morning and the evening of our days1 by ,thy light we look to ,thee4 ,in ,thy light we worship ,thee4 ,gird us with strength to work with ,thee to bring ,thy ,kingdom in4 ,may we lose and find ourselves again in the larger whole of life by ministering to others' needs2 by bearing others' burdens2 by sharing their joys and tears and the common fruits of toil1 thus making our life and faith in ,thee become their own4 ,let ,thy work appear unto ,thy servants1 and establish ,thou the work of our hands upon us2 yea1 the work of our hands establish ,thou it2 and let ,thy beauty and ,thy glory be upon us forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,e4 ,,holmes4 ,october #f ,master1 to do great work for ,thee1 my hand ,is far too weak6 ,thou givest what may suit1 ,some little chips to cut with care minute1 ,or tint1 or grave1 or polish4 ,others stand ,before their quarried marble1 fair and grand1 ,and make a life-work of the grand design ,which ,thou hast traced2 or1 many-skilled1 combine ,to build vast temples1 gloriously planned4 ,yet take the tiny stones which ,i have wrought ,just one by one1 as they were given by ,thee1 ,not knowing what came next in ,thy wise thought4 ,let each stone by ,thy master-hand of grace ,form the mosaic as ,thou wilt for me ,and in ,thy temple-pavement give it place4 ,,frances ,,ridley ,,havergal4 ,father1 we are shortsighted and weak1 and hence cannot do our best work without ,thine aid4 ,we rejoice in the privileges and opportunities of this day4 ,thou hast counted us worthy to work for ,thee4 ,thou canst use our loaves and fishes1 but dost require us to bring thus our little all for ,thy blessing4 ,we are inspired with hope to make our consecration to ,thee4 ,make this a day of glorious service4 ,guide us in our thoughts and work4 ,glorify ,thyself in our life4 ,and wherever the close of this day may find us may it be with the feeling that we have done our best by ,thy blessing and help4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,w4 ,,fulton4 ,october #g ,whatever the weather may be1 says he-- ,whatever the weather may be1 ,it's the songs ye sing1 an' the smiles ye wear1 ,that's a-making the sun shine everywhere2 ,an' the world of gloom is a world of glee1 ,wid the bird in the bush1 an' the bud in the tree ,an' the fruit on the stim o' the bough1 says he1 ,whatever the weather may be1 says he-- ,whatever the weather may be6 ,,james ,,whitcomb ,,riley4 ,o ,father of ,lights1 with whom can be no variation1 neither shadow that is cast by turning1 help us today so to trust ,thee that our joy may be unclouded4 ,thy love is unchanging in its radiance and warmth4 ,therefore let it glow in me and through me light someone who may be in darkness4 ,o strong ,son of ,god1 who art the same1 yesterday1 today1 yea1 and forever1 enable us1 we beseech ,thee1 to be brave and cheery as though ,thyself wast in the darkest hours as in the brightest4 ,teach us that the storm and trial is just our opportunity to shine4 ,cleanse us of all disobedience and darkness4 ,be our constant ,comforter4 ,let others see that it is ,christ within us4 ,amen4 ,,thomas ,w4 ,,smith4 ,october #h ,look up to ,god1 and say1 ,make use of me for the future as ,thou wilt4 ,i am of the same mind2 ,i am equal with ,thee4 ,i refuse nothing which seems good to ,thee4 ,lead me whither ,thou wilt4 ,clothe me in whatever dress ,thou wilt4 ,is it ,thy will that ,i should be in a public or private condition2 dwell here1 or be banished2 be poor or rich8 ,under all these circumstances ,i will make ,thy defence to men4 ,i will show what the nature of everything is4 ,,epictetus4 ,merciful ,father1 we begin this day1 knowing not what the end may be1 with thoughts of ,thee and ,thy loving kindness4 ,may this be to us a day of joy1 a day upon which we can look back and say we have been blessed by ,thee4 ,we pray for that spirit that enabled others to labor in the cause of love and righteousness1 and while we may not be able to accomplish all the good we have set our hearts upon1 may the thought that our lives and our labors have not been in vain1 inspire us and others with courage to continue the work of helping and blessing our fellowmen4 ,amen4 ,,donald ,,fraser4 ,october #i ,men deny the ,divine ,existence with as little feeling as the most assert it4 ,even in our true systems we go on collecting mere words1 playmarks and medals1 as the misers do coins2 and not till late do we transmute the words into feelings1 the coins into enjoyments4 ,a man may for twenty years believe the immortality of the soul2 in the one-and-twentieth1 in some great moment1 he for the first time discovers with amazement the rich meaning of this belief1 and the warmth of this naphtha-well4 ,,richter4 ,o ,thou ,who slumberest not1 nor sleepest1 in the dawn of this new day we look trustingly to ,thee4 ,while the night has been enfolding us1 ,thy loving care has held us in the everlasting arms4 ,may this day be for us a fresh consecration4 ,may we be ennobled in ,thee4 ,may we share ,thy life in things small or great4 ,however humble our lives--however emptied our experience of that which wins the plaudits of men1 may we manifest ,thee4 ,by us may ,thy ,kingdom come and ,thy will be done4 ,amen4 ,,george ,h4 ,,young4 ,october #aj ,thou wilt not hold in scorn the child who dares ,look up to ,thee1 the ,father1--dares to ask ,more than ,thy wisdom answers4 ,from ,thy hand ,the worlds were cast2 yet every leaflet claims ,from that same hand its little shining sphere ,of star-lit dew2 thine image1 the great sun1 ,girt with his mantle of tempestuous flame1 ,glares in mid-heaven2 but to his noontide blaze ,the slender violet lifts its lidless eye1 ,and from his splendor steals its fairest hue1 ,its sweetest perfume from the scorching fire4 ,,oliver ,,wendell ,,holmes4 ,thou great ,spirit of life and power1 we do not shrink in terror before ,thee1 but come to ,thee in trust and love4 ,though we cannot fathom the mystery of ,thy life nor measure the might of ,thy power1 yet we have learned to call ,thee ,father2 and even as the violet lifts its face to the noonday sun to find the secret of its life1 so we lift our faces to ,thee1 to find the secret of our lives4 ,thou answerest us with tenderness4 ,thou speakest to us in love4 ,fresh from sleep1 we put our hands in ,thine to be led forth to the duties of the day4 ,may we go forth with that confidence and hope1 which are born of trust in ,thee1 our ,father4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,october #aa ,now believe me1 ,god hides some ideal in every human soul4 ,some time in our life we feel a trembling1 fearful longing to do some good thing4 ,life finds its noblest spring of excellence in this hidden impulse to do our best4 ,there is a time when we are not content to be such merchants or doctors or lawyers as we see on the dead level or below it4 ,the woman longs to glorify her womanhood as sister1 wife or mother4 ,here is ,god1--,god standing silently at the door all day long1--,god whispering to the soul that to be pure and true is to succeed in life and that whatever we get short of that will burn up like stubble1 though the whole world try to save it4 ,,robert ,,collyer4 ,god of all power and might1 come into our lives with ,thy might and ,thy power4 ,awaken us from that slumber of death-in-life which easily and sweetly steals through the door1 and1 like some new ,delilah1 binds the strong will within4 ,come1 come as the fresh morning sun1 to drive away the mist of our sloth and indecision4 ,come1 enter2 and bring with ,thee the upstirring power and the wide radiance of the life divine4 ,come1 enter1 and abide6 ,when ,thou art absent1 though life be easy1 it doth not satisfy us2 but when ,thou art present1 though life be hard1 it doth also content us4 ,o ,god of all power and might1 come ,thou into our lives with ,thy might and ,thy power4 ,amen4 ,,melvin ,,brandow4 ,october #ab ,if you really want to help your fellowmen1 you must not merely have in you what would do them good if they should take it from you1 but you must be such a man that they can take it from you4 ,the snow must melt upon the mountain and come down in a spring torrent1 before its richness can make the valley rich4 ,and yet in every age there are cold1 hard1 unsympathetic wise men standing up aloof1 like snow banks on the hill tops1 conscious of the locked up fertility in them and wondering that their wisdom does not save the world4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,o ,thou1 who hast kept us safely during the unconsciousness of our slumbering hours and brought us refreshed to this morning light1 prepare us for the duties of this day by filling us with the assurance that we are ,thine1 and that ,thou lovest us4 ,help us to be more like ,thee1 to love ,thee more and serve ,thee better4 ,may we manifest our love to ,thee by our willingness to be of service to our fellowmen4 ,make us warm-hearted and true1 helpful and kind1 reflecting ,thy love and doing ,thy will4 ,we are glad to live in this beautiful world4 ,and we pray that we may be faithful co-laborers with ,jesus ,christ1 in bringing light1 love and joy to all lives4 ,amen4 ,,eugene ,m4 ,,grant4 ,october #ac ,a few more smiles of silent sympathy1 a few more tender words1 a little more restraint in temper1 may make all the difference between happiness and half-happiness to those ,i live with4 ,,stopford ,a4 ,,brooke4 ,others shall sing the song1 ,others shall right the wrong1 ,finish what ,i begin1 ,and all ,i fail to win1 ,what matter1 ,i or they1 ,mine or another's day1 ,so the right word be said1 ,and life the sweeter made8 ,,john ,,greenleaf ,,whittier4 ,father1 so little of the world in which we live is ,thy world1 so much our world1 the petty1 dwarfed world of our own small vision1 that we lose heart and fail to do our share4 ,help us to see that1 as in the densest swamps the sweetest flowers grow1 so1 even in our darkest hours1 we still may be sweet at heart1 saying the word1 doing the deed1 giving the sympathy1 that will make the world sing and blossom4 ,if there are times when pain and darkness obscure our vision of ,thee1 help us to look on to the sunset of our day1 when the black pall is transfigured at the touch of ,thy glory1--when sorrow and failure transcended by gentleness are our beauty and salvation4 ,amen4 ,,john ,m4 ,,davidson4 ,october #ad ,there is not a man in the world who is not saved by hope every day of his life4 ,rob one of hope and you have robbed him of his power4 ,nothing may so quickly unnerve a man and render him helpless as to take hope out of his heart4 ,what is poverty8 ,what is sickness8 ,what is disaster8 ,what are daily burdens8 ,what signifies the desertion of friends1 what of death itself so long as a man can hope8 ,the man who hopes will brush every difficulty out of the way4 ,he will put aside every suggestion of failure4 ,take hope out of a man's heart and you have taken all4 ,put hope into a man's heart and you have given all4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o ,god1 for the light of another morning1 for the privilege of entering upon another day4 ,we shall meet with those who do not understand life nor the world in which we live4 ,it is to them only a place to bear burdens1 to toil1 to endure4 ,give us1 ,o ,father1 understanding minds and hearts4 ,teach us to know that life is a great opportunity1 that ,thy plans for each one are very broad1 that the world is full of open doors2 and inspired by this knowledge may no despondent soul cross our path without being helped and made to feel that every life through the love of ,god and the guidance of ,god may be made sublime4 ,amen4 ,,alexander ,,dight4 ,october #ae ,ho6 for the bending sheaves1 ,ho6 for the crimson leaves ,flaming in splendor6 ,season of ripened gold1 ,plenty in crib and fold1 ,skies with a depth untold ,liquid and tender4 ,,james ,,russell ,,lowell4 ,source ,infinite and ,eternal of ,light and ,life2 ,creator of being flowing on forever2 ,minister far and wide of unspeakable bounty2 ,through whose power rise the riches of ,nature2 ,from whose abundance descend all gifts to man2 ,soul of our souls and safeguard of the world2 ,to whom all ,intelligence looks through every dawn2 ,and by whose support the heart of man is stayed2 ,let there be to our steps paths of brightness2 to our lives laws of justice1 kindness1 and trust1 that we may abound in doing good and by grace1 mercy1 and truth duly shown1 may obtain grateful remembrance evermore4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,c4 ,,towne4 ,october #af ,there is something in the autumn that is native to my blood ,touch of manner1 hint of mood2 ,and my heart is like a rhyme1 ,with the yellow and the purple and the crimson keeping time4 ,the scarlet of the maples can shake me like a cry ,of bugles going by4 ,and my lonely spirit thrills ,to see the frosty asters like a smoke upon the hills4 ,,richard ,,hovey4 ,o ,father1 my heart is lonely till ,i feel ,thy spirit near1 and then the glory of the season brings a message to my soul4 ,help me now to see ,thy master hand in the great beauty of the world4 ,may my soul that feels the glad riot of color know that he who gives such beauty and bounty has for me far richer blessings in the great fields of the future4 ,may this day1 begun with ,nature's rhythm be set with the music of holy purpose and noble service4 ,and may the music sound not alone for me1 but for others that we together may march forward in the spirit of ,him who loved the lilies of the field and the fowls of the air4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,e4 ,,varney4 ,october #ag ,thousands of years ago a leaf fell on the soft clay1 and seemed to be lost4 ,but last summer a geologist in his ramblings broke off a piece of rock with his hammer1 and there lay the image of the leaf1 with every line and every vein and all the delicate tracery preserved in the stone through those centuries4 ,so the words we speak and the things we do today may seem to be lost1 but in the great final revealing the smallest of them will appear4 ,,james ,,russell ,,miller4 ,our ,father we thank ,thee for the light of this new day4 ,tenderly ,thou hast withdrawn the curtain of the night and shown us the beauties and glories of ,nature1 reminding us of ,thine own blessed verdict in the dawn of creation1 ,behold they are very good4 ,good indeed1 is it to live in such a world1 and we thank ,thee for our being4 ,we ask this morning1 dear ,lord1 not for the perishing things of earth1 but for continued power and disposition to enjoy ,thee and ,thy works1 for a faith that never wavers and a hope that never grows dim1 for such a portion of this world's goods as the wise may enjoy without harm and the righteous hold without wrong4 ,amen4 ,,james ,,sallaway4 ,october #ah ,nay1 ,i wrong you1 little flower1 ,reading mournful mood of mine ,in your looks1 that give no sign ,of a spirit dark and cheerless3 ,you possess the heavenly power ,that rejoices in the hour1 ,glad1 contented1 free and fearless1-- ,lifts a sunny face to heaven ,when a sunny day is given2 ,makes a summer of its own1 ,blooming late and all alone4 ,,henry ,,van ,,dyke4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o ,father1 that1 to those who obey the command of ,jesus to consider them1 the flowers become prophets of ,god and preachers of righteousness4 ,we thank ,thee for the worship which ,they render ,thee1 so pure1 so brave1 so glad1 and so acceptable4 ,they may not hinder ,thee and ,thou dost work ,thy perfect will in them2 ,o give us the wisdom and the grace to make ,thee welcome to our hearts until in us also ,thou shalt work ,thy perfect will4 ,so may we find our true use and felicity1 and render unto ,thee the praise that is ,thy due4 ,and this we ask through ,jesus ,christ1 our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,r4 ,,tenney4 ,october #ai ,season of mists and mellow fruitfulness6 ,close bosom friend of the maturing sun2 ,conspiring with ,him how to load and bless ,with fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run2 ,to bend with apples the moss'd cottage trees1 ,and fill all fruit with ripeness to the core2 ,to swell the gourd1 and plump the hazel-shells ,with a sweet kernel2 to set to budding more ,and still more later flowers for the bees1 ,until they think warm days will never cease1 ,for summer has o'er brimmed their clammy cells4 ,,john ,,keats4 ,our dear ,heavenly ,father1 ,thou hast ever been wooing us by a thousand influences and voices to ,thyself and our souls are ever restless till they rest in ,thy love4 ,the voices of nature everywhere speak to us of ,thy goodness and ,thy power and all verdure and blossom and fruitage is but the answer of the inanimate world to ,thy call of life4 ,shall we do less than these1 ,o ,god1 when upon us ,thou hast stamped ,thine own image and made our being the house beautiful for ,thine indwelling6 ,we are ,thy disciples indeed if we bear much fruit and have love one for the other4 ,mould us1 fashion us1 mature us1 dear ,lord1 till the angels1 watching at the gates and on the towers1 say we look like ,thee4 ,and this we ask in ,jesus' name4 ,amen4 ,,george ,m4 ,,smiley4 ,october #bj ,i pluck an acorn from the greensward1 and hold it to my ear and this is what it says to me3 ,by and by the birds will come and nest in me4 ,by and by ,i will furnish shade for the cattle4 ,by and by ,i will provide warmth for the home in the pleasant fire4 ,by and by ,i will be shelter from the storm to those who have gone under the roof4 ,by and by ,i will be the strong ribs of the great vessel1 and the tempest will beat against me in vain1 while ,i carry men across the ,atlantic4 ,o foolish little acorn1 wilt thou be all this8 ,i ask4 ,and the acorn answers1 ,yes1 ,god and ,i4 ,,lyman ,,abbott4 ,almighty ,god1 we believe that ,thou art present and controlling in all the operations of ,nature4 ,not a sparrow falls to the ground without ,thy notice4 ,all life is of ,thy giving4 ,plants1 animals1 and worlds alike are governed by ,thy laws4 ,we realize in some measure ,thy ,omnipotence4 ,we should fear to draw near to ,thee if ,thou hadst not revealed ,thyself to us in ,jesus ,christ as a ,god of love4 ,thou1 ,o ,god1 art love4 ,we believe that ,thou wilt give to all ,thy children eternal life4 ,as from the acorn comes the oak1 clothed in royal beauty1 seemingly life from death1 so from what seems death shall our immortal spirits rise to dwell forever with ,thee4 ,we adore ,thee1 ,o ,god4 ,we love ,thee for ,thy goodness and ,thy love shown to us4 ,be gracious unto us and bless us for our ,saviour's sake4 ,amen4 ,,cyrus ,,northrop4 ,october #ba ,i suppose every day of earth1 with its hundred thousand deaths and something more of births1--with its loves and hates1 its triumphs and defeats1 its pangs and blisses1 has more of humanity in it than all the books that were ever written1 put together4 ,i believe the flowers growing at this moment send up more fragrance to heaven than was ever exhaled from all the essences ever distilled4 ,,oliver ,,wendell ,,holmes4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 ,thou art in all nature and in all human history4 ,if we really know our world and our fellowmen and ourselves1 we shall know ,thee4 ,as we enter upon the work of this new day1 we pray that we may feel ,thy presence with us4 ,thou art never far away from us2 we cannot get away from our world1 and we cannot fly from ourselves4 ,thou art with ,thy world and ,thou art with ,thy children4 ,we ask not so much for ,thy presence1 as for the consciousness of ,thy presence4 ,may we learn to know ,thee in the world about us and in the secret places of our own hearts4 ,then shall all life be fragrant and beautiful and this day somewhat divine4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,october #bb ,the best thing to take people out of their own worries1 is to go to work and find out how other folk's worries are getting on4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,socrates thought that if all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap1 whence every one must take an equal portion1 most persons would be content to take their own and depart4 ,,plutarch4 ,our ,father in ,heaven1 the light of this new day is the light of ,thy countenance1 therefore we rejoice4 ,in ,thy sunshine our souls find strength for the burdens ,thou dost give1 and even through ,thy shadows we reach the peace which passeth understanding4 ,yet ,thou art comfort to us that we may comfort the troubled and the distressed with the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted4 ,set ,thou our feet in the paths of service4 ,make us1 we pray ,thee1 glad ministers of ,thy mercy1 and in binding up the wounds of others may we have balm for our own4 ,by this day1 may we grow in patience and power1 and in the knowledge of ,thy love4 ,amen4 ,,leon ,o4 ,,williams4 ,october #bc ,life has a thousand pages--love and scorn1 ,hope and adventure1 poverty and sin1 ,despair and glory1 loneliness forlorn1 ,age1 sorrow1 exile1 all are writ therein--2 ,and on each page1 however stern or sad1 ,are words which gleam upon the crabbed scroll1 ,revealing words1 that make our spirits glad1 ,and well are worth the study of the soul4 ,we may not lightly shrink from any leaf1 ,for on it may be writ the word we need4 ,god turns the page--whatever joy or grief ,he opens for us1 let us wisely read4 ,,priscilla ,,leonard4 ,fill our souls with ,thy light1 ,o ,god1 that we may ever hope4 ,give us the poise of endless progress4 ,make our souls free and joyous as the bird's wing4 ,give us the courage of our convictions in all places1 under all conditions4 ,make us brave4 ,take away all forms of fear1 whether of man1 of nature1 or of ,thee1 and make us feel that each is our mighty friend1 but ,thou supreme over all1 faithful each moment to our being1 in ten thousand sweet1 true1 tender1 life-giving1 life-sustaining ministries4 ,teach us to look for ,thee everywhere1 and to see ,thy order1 and ,thy beauty1 facing all things ,heavenward4 ,may our ideals be perfect holiness1 perfect strength1 perfect love1 perfect service4 ,make our faith great in the higher estate1 where our faculties1 only dawning here1 shall rise in a glorious morning of the soul4 ,amen4 ,a4 ,n4 ,,alcott4 ,october #bd ,suppose a kindly word of mine ,could lift the clouds and bring sunshine2 ,am ,i my brother's keeper8 ,suppose the weary worker toils1 ,for scanty pittance delves and moils2 ,am ,i my brother's keeper8 ,suppose in penury and fear ,my neighbor see the wolf draw near2 ,am ,i my brother's keeper8 99 99 99 99 99 ,perhaps--who knows8--perhaps ,i'm not6 ,self-centred soul6 hast thou forgot ,the marvel of our common lot1 ,the mystic tie that binds us all ,who dwell on this terrestrial ball1 ,stupendous hope of time and song1 ,the bourne for which the ages long8 ,how hard our hearts must seem to ,thee1 ,exhaustless ,fount of ,charity6 ,,henry ,,nehemiah ,,dodge4 ,we thank ,thee1 our ,father1 for the light of a new day and for its opportunities of service for ,thee and ,thy great ,cause4 ,we rejoice that ,thou dost not only set duty clearly before us1 but also dost grant power to perform it4 ,may we realize not only that we are our brother's keeper1 and that our lives are helpful or harmful every day1 but may we be increasingly grateful that we may every day by ,thy grace be fellow-helpers and workers together with ,god4 ,amen4 ,,william ,,full4 ,october #be ,it is of no use to dispute about the ,indian ,summer4 ,i never found two people who could agree as to the time when it ought to be here1 or upon a month and day when it should be decidedly too late to look for it4 ,it keeps coming4 ,for my part1 ,i think we get it now and then1 little by little1 as the ,kingdom comes4 ,that every soft1 warm1 mellow1 hazy1 golden day1 like each fair1 fragrant life1 is a part and out-crop of it2 though weeks of gale and frost1 or ages of cruel worldliness and miserable sin may lie between4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,vouchsafe ,thy blessing1 ,o ,heavenly ,father1 upon this morning service of thanksgiving and prayer4 ,we thank ,thee that each year ,thou sendest seed-time and harvest1 to us ,thy children4 ,for the beauty and bounty of the ,autumn1 for all ,thy material gifts1 for friends and home1 and for our precious ,christian faith1 we are deeply grateful to ,thee4 ,give us the attentive mind1 the receptive heart1 that we may see ,thy providence and love in every event of life4 ,banish fear and doubt from our minds4 ,guard us from all temptations4 ,may the ,spirit of ,christ abide in our hearts1 and enable us to glorify ,thee in all our works and lives4 ,in its power and glory may ,thy ,kingdom come1 and remain upon the earth forever4 ,amen4 ,,elbert ,w4 ,,whitney4 ,october #bf ,pleasant smiles1 gentle tones1 cheery greetings1 tempers sweet under a headache or a business care or the children's noise2 the ready bubbling over of thoughtfulness for one another1 and the habits of smiling1 greeting1 forbearing1 thinking in these ways2 it is these above all else which makes one's home a building of ,god2 a house not made with hands1 these that we hear in the song of ,home1 ,sweet ,home4 ,,william ,c4 ,,gannett4 ,almighty ,father1 the light of another day breaks in upon our lives1 to reveal to us unfinished tasks and unsought duties4 ,the sorrows and joys of the coming day are hidden from our sight1 enswathed in the folded hours of toil4 ,but ,thou knowest all our heedless ways and tempers that chafe from impatience2 ,thou seest the measure of our needs and dost consider our desires4 ,give unto us the consciousness of ,thine everlasting arms about us4 ,and then when the shadows lengthen and the twilight hushes the hum of toil1 our spirits shall know no weariness and bear no stain4 ,give ear unto this our morning prayer1 ,o ,thou ,light of ,light4 ,amen4 ,,francis ,,treadway ,,clayton4 ,october #bg ,how can people help loving things1 when they are full of life magnetism1 that even a finger touch gets the thrill of8 ,it is not the sunshine1 or any other tangible why1 that accounts for the pleasantness of old house corners4 ,it is the pureness and the pleasantness that have clustered there2 the very walls have drunk these in4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 wilt ,thou keep our home life bright and sweet8 ,guard our lips from harsh words1 our lives from shame4 ,if quarrels arise1 help us to be the first to forgive and forget4 ,in the hour of temptation may we say no1 because of a father's splendid honor1 and a mother's pure face6 ,in the time of trial or seeming defeat may we be brave and of good cheer6 ,teach us that home is made dear1 not by its furnishings1 but by the memories and inspirations of the hours we spent under its roof with those who loved us and were always tender and true6 ,bind us together in the bonds of love and peace1 and keep us always united and a happy family4 ,amen4 ,,henry ,r4 ,,rose4 ,october #bh ,there are loyal hearts1 there are spirits brave1 ,there are souls that are pure and true2 ,then give to the world the best you have1 ,and the best shall come back to you4 ,give love1 and love to your heart will flow1 ,a strength in your utmost need2 ,have faith1 and a score of hearts will show ,their faith in your word and deed4 ,for life is the mirror of king and slave1 ',tis just what you are and do2 ,then give to the world the best you have1 ,and the best will come back to you4 ,,madeline ,s4 ,,bridges4 ,almighty ,father1 we come to ,thee for a ,father's blessing1 that this day we may go about ,thy work and enter into ,thy business1 alive in ,thy spirit and strong in ,thy strength4 ,we ask this for ourselves1 each of us1 that we may be knit to each other as brothers with brothers1 to bear each other's burdens4 ,we ask it most of all for home1 that in home-life there always may be joy and peace and love1 each seeking another's good1 brothers and sisters with sisters and brothers1 fathers and mothers with their children1 that home may be the place of ,thy holy spirit and the home of joy4 ,today we would come and go as ,thy messengers1 in our own lives welcoming the ,father1 who is with us seeking ,thy strength and asking for ,thy good will4 ,bless us today with ,thy blessing4 ,amen4 ,edward ,everett ,hale4 ,october #bi ,we are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves4 ,the consciousness of wrongdoing makes us irritable1 and our heart in its cunning quarrels with what is outside it1 in order that it may deafen the clamor within4 ,in the conduct of life1 habits count for more than maxims1 because habit is a living maxim1 become flesh and instinct4 ,to reform one's maxims is nothing2 it is but to change the title of the book4 ,to learn new habits is everything1 for it is to reach the substance of life4 ,life is but a tissue of habits4 ,,henri-,,frederic ,,amiel4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we pray that our daily life may take on that dignity and calmness and tranquillity which are the possession of those who truly and inwardly trust and confide in the eternal ,goodness1 who believe that our days are ordered by a ,higher ,power1 and that through all there runs a thread1--a chain of ,infinite ,love1 binding us all to ,thee and to one common universal good and blessedness4 ,in this faith1 keep us1 ,o ,holy ,father1 and1 filled with love to ,thee and to our neighbor1 may we pursue our way and do our work1 anxious only to have ,thee in all our thoughts4 ,in ,thy name1 ,amen4 ,,joshua ,,young4 ,october #cj ,thus pass away the generations of men6--thus perish the records of the glory of nations6 ,yet1 when every emanation of the human mind has faded1 when in the storms of time the monuments of man's creative art are scattered to the dust1 an ever new life springs from the bosom of the earth4 ,unceasingly prolific ,nature unfolds her germs1 regardless though sinful man1 ever at war with himself1 tramples beneath his foot the ripening fruit6 ,,alexander ,,von ,,humboldt4 ,infinite ,spirit1 ,thou buildest the monuments of ,thy power in the rocks of the mountains1 but ,thou buildest the monuments of ,thy love in the hearts of men4 ,when the bodies and the works of men have perished the rocks will abide and the trees will bear their fruit4 ,but when the rocks have crumbled the souls of men will abide4 ,if that which is seen is temporal1 we thank ,thee ,o ,lord1 that the unseen is eternal4 ,we are awed by the majesty of the seas and the mountains4 ,but we are inspired by the immortality of the soul4 ,heavenly ,father1 may we live today as if made for eternity4 ,so may our lives be dignified and glorified4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,october #ca ,god doth not need ,either man's work1 or ,his own gifts1 who best ,bear ,his mild yoke1 they serve ,him best2 ,his state ,is kingly2 thousands at ,his bidding speed ,and post o'er land and ocean without rest3-- ,they also serve who only stand and wait4 ,,john ,,milton4 ,o ,god1 who didst give to ,thy servant light in his blindness and music in the heart1 grant that ,i may this day be swift to run on all errands of mercy and truth1 or patient to wait ,thy will1 if so ,thou commandest4 ,make me as unswerving as are the stars above me1 as trustful as the birds who sing at dawn1 and fear not what the day may bring4 ,may ,i be strong to resist all evil1 and cleave to that which is good4 ,may ,i be conscious that in the loneliest hour ,thou art near1 and in the most solitary place there is the communion of saints4 ,may ,thy power flow through human weakness1 and may all the trials and testings of life lead me constantly to the ,rock that is higher than ,i4 ,so may ,thy will be done in my life as it is in heaven4 ,amen4 ,w4 ,h4 ,p4 ,,faunce4 ,november #a ,i saw the long line of the vacant shore ,the sea-weed and the shells upon the sand1 ,and the brown rocks left bare on every hand1 ,as if the ebbing tide would flow no more1 ,then heard ,i1 more distinctly than before1 ,the ocean breathe and its great breast expand1 ,and hurrying came on the defenceless land ,the insurgent waters with tumultuous roar4 ,all thought and feeling and desire1 ,i said1 ,love1 laughter1 and the exultant joy of song ,have ebbed from me forever6 ,suddenly o'er me ,they swept again from their deep ocean bed ,and in a tumult of delight1 and strong ,as youth1 and beautiful as youth1 upbore me4 ,,henry ,w4 ,,longfellow4 ,we give ,thee hearty thanks1 most ,holy ,father that ,thou hast not delivered up our souls to the emptiness and longing of despair4 ,in ,thy mercy and wisdom hast ,thou ordained that we may taste ever afresh the deepest joys of life and ever anew feel the thrill of its loftiest inspirations4 ,like the sea is our life for its largeness2 like the sea in its ebbs and flows4 ,o ,father of ,life1 flood our souls this day with a tide from the ocean of ,thine own love lifting our lives to highest service and bliss4 ,and ,thine shall be all the honor and praise4 ,amen4 ,e4 ,w4 ,,lutterman4 ,november #b ,the bird1 let loose in ,eastern skies1 ,when hastening fondly home1 ,ne'er stoops to earth her wing1 nor flies ,where idle warblers roam4 ,but high she shoots through air and light ,above all low delay1 ,where nothing earthly bounds her flight1 ,nor shadow dims her way4 ,so grant me1 ,god1 from every care1 ,and stain of passion free1 ,aloft1 through ,virtue's purer air1 ,to hold my course to ,thee6 ,no sin to cloud--no lure to stay ,my soul1 as home she springs2-- ,thy sunshine on her joyful way1 ,thy freedom in her wings6 ,,thomas ,,moore4 ,o ,god1 who art both life and truth1 the ,author of our being and the light which lighteneth all1 the source of our soul's life1 and the goal towards which we strive1 as cleaves the lark at dawn the heavenly blue1 so may our souls be freed from sense1 whose music siren-like would seek to draw us from our flight to ,thee4 ,as that same bird rejoices in the morning light1 and sounds its note of praise1 so may our souls be tuned to heavenly symphonies1 and may the sunshine of ,thy love1 resplendent in secure omnipotence1 give glad assurance to our hearts1 nor cease to guide our way1 until we reach that central orb1 our soul's true home1 and find eternal rest in ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,albert ,b4 ,,shields4 ,november #c ,there is ever a song somewhere1 my dear2 ,there is ever a something sings alway3 ,there's the song of the lark when the skies are clear ,and the song of the thrush when the skies are gray1 ,the sunshine showers across the grain1 ,and the bluebird trills in the orchard tree2 ,and in and out1 when the eaves drip rain1 ,the swallows art twittering ceaselessly4 ,there is ever a song somewhere1 my dear1 ,be the skies above or dark or fair1 ,there is ever a song that our hearts may hear-- ,there is ever a song somewhere1 my dear-- ,there is ever a song somewhere6 ,,james ,,whitcomb ,,riley4 ,o ,god1 the ,giver of all harmony and joy1 before whom the morning stars sang together1 by ,whom the voice of the sparrow is heard1 we thank ,thee that we may serve ,thee with gladness and come before ,thy presence with singing4 ,put ,thy new song into our mouths and help us to render the acceptable praises of the upright and pure in heart4 ,help us to love all ,thy creatures and to delight in the songs ,thou hast taught them4 ,especially enable us to bless our brother men1 to hush their sighing and swell their singing1 to strengthen the chorus of joy and praise with which ,thou hast ordained the world shall be filled4 ,we ask with confidence because we know ,thy love4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,,francis ,,cooper4 ,november #d ,the snow has capped yon distant hill1 ,at morn the running brook was still1 ,from driven herds the clouds that rise ,are like the smoke of sacrifice2 ,ere long the frozen sod shall mark ,the ploughshare1 changed to stubborn rock4 ,the brawling stream shall soon be done-- ,sing1 little bird6 the frosts have come4 ,,oliver ,,wendell ,,holmes4 ,almighty ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 ,thou art the giver of all good gifts1 and all that comes from ,thy hand is good4 ,may we accept ,thy providences4 ,in the dreary days of winter as in the pleasant summer season1 ,thy mercies are new every morning and fresh every evening4 ,even when our hearts are chilled with grief and disappointment and failure1 we would still put our trust in the eternal goodness4 ,help us1 ,o ,god1 to be truly grateful for everything that comes to us4 ,in the winter of the soul may we learn the lessons of patience and resignation4 ,thus1 with faith triumphant and with hearts full of gladness may we sing our songs of praise to ,thy holy name forever and forever4 ,amen4 ,,arthur ,w4 ,,grose4 ,november #e ,it is will alone that matters6 ,will alone that mars or makes1 ,will1 that no distraction scatters1 ,and that no resistance breaks4 ,,henrik ,,ibsen4 ,no man can choose what coming hours may bring ,to him of need1 of joy1 of suffering2 ,but what his soul shall bring unto each hour ,to meet its challenge--this is in his power4 ,,priscilla ,,leonard4 ,infinite ,god1 ,who perceivest the destinies of worlds and of men2 ,who bringest to pass all that we enjoy1 and ,who permittest all that we suffer2 may ,i this day be enabled to recognize ,thy ,fatherly goodness1 in the morning mists1 even as in the noonday brightness6 ,should sorrow becloud my pathway1 should disappointment make its keen thrusts1 should temptation lay its attractive coils1 may my soul be made aware of ,thy consoling presence1 enjoy the compensations of ,thy grace1 assert the potency of the wisdom from above6 ,and mayest ,thou reveal ,thyself6 ,so may be fanned to a flame the divine spark in my heart1 whereby all are made partakers of the victory with and through our ,lord1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,ernest ,w4 ,,burch4 ,november #f ,yes1 she answered1 lifting her eyes to his face2 ,i1 too1 have felt it1 ,hermas1 this burden1 this need1 this unsatisfied longing4 ,i think ,i know what it means4 ,it is gratitude2--the language of the heart1 the music of happiness4 ,there is no perfect joy without gratitude4 ,but we have never learned it1 and the want of it troubles us4 ,it is like being dumb with a heart full of love4 ,we must find the word for it1 and say it together4 ,then we shall be perfectly joined in perfect joy4 ,,henry ,,van ,,dyke4 ,almighty ,god1 forbid that we shall ever be satisfied with the rich gifts of ,thy land1 or until the gifts have brought us1 appreciative1 humble1 grateful1 to ,thee1 the giver of them all4 ,help us to see that this is their high office1 disregarding which the noblest of them becomes a stumbling block1 accepting which the humblest of them becomes a means of grace and of surpassing gladness4 ,move us1 then1 to such acceptance of ,thy favors as shall bring us to ,thee rejoicing1 that we may need less the experiences which shall bring us to ,thee weeping4 ,and hallow all our human loves by lifting us to a common sense and acknowledgment of ,thy transcendent love1 as shown especially in ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,r4 ,,tenney4 ,november #g ,what is the real good8 ,i asked1 in musing mood4 ,order1 said the court2 ,knowledge1 said the school1 ,truth1 said the wise man1 ,pleasure1 said the fool1 ,love1 said the maiden1 ,beauty1 said the page1 ,freedom1 said the dreamer1 ,home1 said the sage2 ,fame1 said the soldier1 ,equity1 said the seer4 ,spake my heart full sadly-- ,the answer is not here4 ,then within my bosom ,softly this ,i heard3 ,each heart holds the secret2 ,kindness is the word4 ,,john ,,boyle ,o',,reilly4 ,oh1 ,father1 we are in a world of wonder and of bountiful promise4 ,we scarcely know which to choose4 ,of all life's quests we would seek the highest and best4 ,thou art a ,lord gracious and kind4 ,grace is but another name for kindness4 ,it is this which is pronounced as a benediction ,sabbath after ,sabbath1 and for which we lift up our faces morning after morning1 to receive4 ,crown us with ,thy loving kindness and tender mercies4 ,but not for ourselves alone6 ,as we meet the weary and heavy burdened in life1 inspire us to show them the kindness of our ,god4 ,as freely as we have received1 so freely may we impart4 ,amen4 ,w4 ,g4 ,,richardson4 ,november #h ,what a blessed thing it is that we can forget6 ,today's troubles look large1 but a week hence they will be forgotten and buried out of sight4 ,says one writer1 ,if you should keep a book and daily put down the things that worry you1 and see what becomes of them1 it would be a benefit to you4 ,the art of forgetting is a blessed art1 but the art of overlooking is quite as important4 ,,aughey4 ,lord1 we know not the path our feet must walk today2 yet we are not anxious4 ,thy word will be a lamp to our feet1 and what we need to know ,thou wilt reveal just when we need to know it4 ,help us not to forget that we are under our ,father's care2 that ,he knoweth our frame1 that ,he will not unduly burden us2 that ,he will not suffer us to be tempted beyond that which we are able to bear2 that ,he will make all things work together for good to them that love ,him4 ,so may this day be one of peace to us1 and through us may some troubled heart find rest4 ,amen4 ,,george ,,skene ,november #i ,learn to laugh4 ,a good laugh is better than medicine4 ,learn to tell a story4 ,a well told story is as welcome as a sunbeam in a sick room4 ,learn to keep your own troubles to yourself4 ,the world is too busy to care for your ills and sorrows4 ,learn to do something for others4 ,even if you are a bedridden invalid there is always something that you can do to make others happier1 and that is the surest way to attain happiness for yourself4 ,,the ,,beacon4 ,father of all mankind1 may the spirit of cheer mark this new day4 ,may the smile of ,thy benediction rest upon us1 and give courage to meet the duty and bear the burden4 ,help us each moment to know something of the highest joy of serving ,thee4 ,may that joy never be absent from our pain4 ,may it consecrate every pleasure4 ,may it lift us nearer the stature of the ,christ1 that the light of our life may shed its beams on the pathway of other lives1--a light in their darkness1 an assurance of sympathy in affliction1 an inspiration to do and endure4 ,so may all gladly go to their appointed duty1 one with ,thee1 even as ,christ1 whose followers we aim to be4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,t4 ,,billings4 ,november #aj ,take whatever is good in man1 and argue that ,god is not only that1 but infinitely better than that4 ,in fashioning your conception of ,god1 make it as resplendent in justice1 as august in truth1 as noble and pure in love1 as radiant and wondrous in pity1 as enduring as you please4 ,never be afraid that you will overdraw the divine character4 ,god is never better in your thought or imagination than ,he is in ,himself4 ,,henry ,,ward ,,beecher4 ,almighty ,god1 we thank ,thee for the great thoughts and high hopes which lie deep in human hearts4 ,we thank ,thee for the visions of the perfect life which lead us ever toward the light4 ,we long to follow those who lead the way to ,thee4 ,by faith and love may we be bound to them4 ,as voices of ,thy spirit may they be to us4 ,bless us this day with hunger for righteousness4 ,feed us with the bread of life4 ,endow us with high hopes and determined wills1 that we may be faithful4 ,amen4 ,,frederick ,w4 ,,betts4 ,november #aa ,there was a man who smiled ,because the day was bright2 ,because he slept at night2 ,because ,god gave him sight ,to gaze upon his child6 ,because his little one ,could leap and laugh and run2 ,because the distant sun ,smiled on the earth1 he smiled4 ,he toiled and still was glad ,because the air was free2 ,because he loved1 and she ,that claimed his love and he ,shared all the joys they had6 ,because the grasses grew2 ,because the sweet wind blew2 ,because that he could hew ,and hammer he was glad4 ,s4 ,e4 ,,kiser4 ,o ,lord1 who dost bountifully provide for us the necessities and comforts of life1 and makest us glad in the enjoyment of the same2 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 that we may so use these1 ,thy gifts1 that in all our blessings we find ,thee to be the source and author of all our happiness--of our health and prosperity1 of our joys and hopes1 and of the holy relations of friends and family2 lest1 resting content in that which is less1 we fail to attain to that which is greatest--truly to know ,thee and to love ,thee1 which is the very end of our being and the consummation of all bliss2 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,william ,h4 ,p4 ,,hatch4 ,november #ab ,i have seen ,a curious child1 who dwelt upon a tract ,of inland ground1 applying to his ear ,the convolutions of a smooth-lipped shell2 ,to which1 in silence hushed1 his very soul ,listened intensely2 and his countenance soon ,brightened with joy2 for from within were heard ,murmurings1 whereby the monitor expressed ,mysterious union with its native sea3 ,even such a shell the universe itself ,is to the ear of ,faith2 and there are times1 ,i doubt not1 when to you it doth impart ,authentic tidings of invisible things2 ,of ebb and flow1 and ever-during power2 ,and central peace1 subsisting at the heart ,of endless agitation4 ,,william ,,wordsworth4 ,father of ,lights1 with whom can be no variation or shadow that is cast by turning1 give to me the joy of the love that endures as seeing ,him who is invisible2 that where ,thy speaking voice is1 there may be my listening ear2 that above the waste and clamor of the tasks that exhaust me in bodily strength1 there may be supplied a power of will to do the right and a fellowship with all righteous men everywhere4 ,help me to remember that ,life consists not in the abundance of the things ,i possess4 ,let my faith see through doubt1 endure through temptation and privation1 and cleave steadfastly to ,god1 remembering that ,love believing is ,love triumphing4 ,through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,adolph ,a4 ,,berle4 ,november #ac ,when ,jeremy ,taylor had lost all--when his house had been plundered and his family driven out of doors1 and all his worldly estate had been sequestered--he could still write thus3 ,i am fallen into the hands of publicans and sequesterers1 and they have taken all from me4 ,what now8 ,let me look about me4 ,they have left me the sun and moon1 a loving wife and many friends to pity me1 and some to relieve me2 and ,i can still discourse1 and1 unless ,i list1 they have not taken away my merry countenance and my cheerful spirit and a good conscience2 they have still left me the providence of ,god1 and all the promises of the ,gospel1 and my religion1 and my hopes of heaven1 and my charity to them1 too2 and still ,i sleep and digest1 ,i eat and drink1 ,i read and meditate--and he that hath so many causes of joy and so great1 is very much in love with sorrow and peevishness1 who leaves all these pleasures1 and chooses to sit down upon his little handful of thorns4 ,,samuel ,,smiles4 ,father of all mercies1 ,who ,thyself art more to us than the utmost of ,thy gifts2 we thank ,thee for those blessings of our life which come like the manna fresh every morning and pass with the passing day4 ,still more we thank ,thee for the blessings which abide1 like a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night1 witness of ,thine own presence ever continuing with us4 ,give us grace and wisdom so to receive the ministries of this new day1 that by means of them we may enter more fully into the ,divine friendship and the everlasting habitations4 ,whatever may fail us1 grant us such hold upon ,thyself as shall be the having of all things1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,james ,,fairbairn ,,brodie4 ,november #ad ,native goodness is unconscious1 asks not to be recognized2 ,but its baser affectation is a thing to be despised4 ,only when the man is loyal to himself shall he be prized4 99 99 99 99 99 ,if ,i live the life ,he gave me1 ,god will turn it to ,his use4 ,,bayard ,,taylor4 ,live not without a friend6 the ,alpine rock must own ,its mossy grace or else be nothing but a stone4 ,live not without a ,god6 however low or high1 ,in every house should be a window to the sky4 ,,william ,,wetmore ,,story4 ,eternal ,god1 who hast neither dawn nor evening1 yet sendest us alternate mercies of the darkness and the day2 there is no light but ,thine1 without1 within4 ,as ,thou liftest the curtain of night from our abodes1 take also the veil from our hearts4 ,rise with ,thy morning upon our souls3 quicken all our labor and our prayer3 and though all else declines1 let the noontide of ,thy grace and peace remain4 ,may we walk1 while it is yet day1 in the steps of ,him who1 with fewest hours1 finished ,thy divinest work4 ,amen4 ,,james ,,martineau4 ,november #ae ,i found it difficult the other night to cross a muddy street because of the deep shadow cast by my own body which stood between the electric light and the walk over which ,i was crossing4 ,not a little of the time1 ,i fear1 do we stand in our own spiritual light1 making our own pathway black with ugly shadows cast by our own personality1 while the light flashes all around us4 ,if you would avoid the shadows walk toward the electric light in the heavens and let its beams fall in your face4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,our pathway1 ,heavenly ,father1 is dark and lone4 ,sad and sinister suggestions born in our own hearts blind our souls and stay our steps4 ,but with ,thee there is no night4 ,light is ,thy shadow4 ,unto ,thee1 therefore1 we would turn in the sweet surrender of the spirit4 ,in our darkness which leadeth unto death show us the way4 ,walking by ,thy guidance1 intent upon ,thy will1 may we rest with unforgetting memory upon ,thy sevenfold promise of life4 ,give us the gift of the morning star4 ,with ,thee by our side may this new day bring us a new vision of duty1 a larger girding for life1 the nobler hope1 the truth that makes men free4 ,and unto ,thee be thanks1 praise and glory4 ,amen4 ,,franklin ,,hamilton4 ,november #af ,the first principle of ,christianity is to forget one's self4 ,when ,wilberforce was straining every energy to get his bill for the emancipation of slaves passed1 a lady once said to him1 ,mr4 ,wilberforce1 ,i'm afraid you are so busy about those slaves that you are neglecting your own soul4 ,true1 madam1 he said2 ,i had quite forgotten that ,i have one4 ,that remark contains one of the deepest truths of ,christianity4 ,,henry ,,drummond4 ,o ,lord1 give us the mind of the ,master6 ,we would look on our fellow creatures as he looked on them4 ,we would be free from all taint of envy1 jealousy1 and sin4 ,we would have his single eye and his hearing ear4 ,we know that ,thou art in man1 for it is ,thy spirit which quickens within him every pure thought and moves to every unselfish deed4 ,give us a due sense of humility and appreciation that we may enter into the secret thought and understand the sincere purpose of all the toilers of this present world6 ,thus would we abide forever with the saints1 the seers1 and the singers1 of all climes and ages6 ,amen4 ,,eben ,h4 ,,chapin4 ,november #ag ,do we not know that more than half our trouble is borrowed8 ,just suppose that we could get rid of all unnecessary and previous terror2 just suppose that we could be sure of final victory in every conflict1 and final emergence out of every shadow into brighter day2 how our hearts would be lightened6 ,how much more bravely we should work and fight and march forward6 ,this is the courage to which we are entitled and which we may find in the thought that ,god is with us everywhere4 ,,henry ,,van ,,dyke4 ,o ,gracious and ,infinite ,presence1 ,thou art the peace that dwells in the shade of night and the brightness and hope of this new day4 ,we are gratefully conscious of the loving strength that stands ever ready to help4 ,the call of the day's work is in our ears and the courage manfully to labor is in our hearts4 ,strengthen us1 ,father1 when weariness of toil dissolves our noble resolutions2 calm us when petty vexations distract from our holy purposes4 ,may midday find us refreshed by ,thy grace and eventide solaced by ,thy benediction4 ,and now as we go forth to duty let our hearts know no terror but the fear of wrong-doing and our minds no anxiety but the earnest desire to toil fruitfully4 ,grant that we may see beneath life's busy activities the great good ,thou art working out among men and to this end learn to labor and to wait4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,r4 ,,east4 ,november #ah ,there is no thing we cannot overcome4 ,say not thy evil instinct is inherited1 ,or that some trait inborn makes thy whole life forlorn1 ,and calls down punishment that is not merited4 ,back of thy parents and grandparents lies ,the ,great ,eternal ,will4 ,that1 too1 is thine ,inheritance1 strong1 beautiful1 divine1 ,sure lever of success1 for him who tries4 ,pry up thy faults with this great lever1 ,will1 ,however deeply bedded in propensity1 ,however firmly set1 ,i tell thee firmer yet ,is that strange power that comes from truth's immensity6 ,,ella ,,wheeler ,,wilcox4 ,o ,eternal ,goodness1 help us now1 as another morning dawns1 to readjust ourselves to ,thy purpose of blessing4 ,we believe that the most certain1 significant and permanent fact of the universe is that ,thou art our ,father4 ,thus we are the heirs of ,thy sufficient grace4 ,there is no curse of ancestry for him who knows ,thee as ,his parent4 ,there is no weakness of the flesh for him who1 through touch with ,thee1 becomes strong in the spirit4 ,help us all through this day to deny the chain of every earthly folly and sin1 to stand erect and free as becometh children of the ,infinite4 ,so1 finding and using the wisdom of our ,master1 who1 most of all men1 gained success1 may we overcome the world4 ,amen4 ,,george ,e4 ,,huntley4 ,november #ai ,all things seem rushing straight into the dark-- ,but the dark still is ,god4 ,,george ,,macdonald4 ,love is and was my king and lord1 ,and will be1 tho' as yet ,i keep ,within the court on earth1 and sleep ,encompass'd by his faithful guard1 ,and here at times a sentinel ,who moves about from place to place1 ,and whispers to the worlds of space1 ,in the deep night1 that all is well4 ,,alfred ,,tennyson4 ,o ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee that ,thou hast led us into this new day4 ,we thank ,thee also1 that1 though its experiences are untried and its issues involved in uncertainty1 we are unafraid1 full indeed of glad expectation1 because we know ,thee as our ,king and ,lord4 ,help us in obedience and love to keep close to ,thee1 so that1 if ever quick darkness shall come upon us1 we may still be undisturbed because of ,thy presence1 to whom the darkness and the light are both alike4 ,this we ask in the name of ,him who loved us and gave ,himself for us4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,r4 ,,tenney4 ,november #bj ,let thy day be to thy night ,a letter of good tidings4 ,let thy praise ,go up as birds go up1 that when they wake ,shake off the dew and soar2 so take joy home ,and make a place in thy heart for her1 ,and give her time to grow and cherish her2 ,then will she come and oft will sing to thee ,when thou art working in the furrows2 ay1 ,or weeding in the sacred hour of dawn4 ,it is a comely fashion to be glad-- ,joy is the grace we say to ,god4 ,,jean ,,ingelow4 ,our ,father1 we thank ,thee for the blessings of night4 ,in this new morning hour1 we pray for stout hearts and strong to meet the day's work4 ,may we go forth with a song on our lips and the joy of renewed youth in our souls4 ,amid the tumults of the day enable us to hear ,thy becalming voice4 ,then1 though in dreariest labor1 we shall have glad hearts1 though pressed by dullest cares1 we shall keep uncrushed hopes1 though distracted by earth's din1 we shall hear heaven's music4 ,abide with us1 ,benign ,spirit4 ,inspire us to do our duty1 and to learn that therein1 alone1 may true joy be found4 ,amen4 ,,george ,,runyon ,,longbrake4 ,november #ba ,the weather-prophet tells us of an approaching storm4 ,it comes according to the programme4 ,we admire the accuracy of the prediction1 and congratulate ourselves that we have such a good meteorological service4 ,but when1 perchance1 a bright crystalline piece of weather arrives instead of the foretold tempest1 do we not feel a secret sense of pleasure which goes beyond our mere comfort in the sunshine8 ,the whole affair is not as easy as a sum in simple addition1 after all1--at least not with our present knowledge4 ,it is a good joke on the ,weather ,bureau4 ,aha1 ,old ,probabilities6 we say1 ,you don't know it all yet2 there are still some chances to be taken6 ,,henry ,,van ,,dyke4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 ,thou hast covered us with the darkness and we have slept under the shadow of ,thy care4 ,thou hast opened for us again the gates of the morning1 and refreshed1 we rise to praise ,thee4 ,the memory of mercies past inspires our hope for today4 ,reveal ,thyself to us by ,thy spirit and through ,thy word2 make nature to minister to us in the heavens above and the fields below2 let every experience lead us toward ,thyself4 ,help us to see ,thy face in those about us1 and honor ,thee in loving1 helpful ministry to them4 ,bring to us today a fresh and larger sense of ,thy presence1 forgiveness1 and care1 and so the assurance that all things are working together for our good4 ,in the name of ,jesus ,christ our ,saviour4 ,amen4 ,,samuel ,h4 ,,greene4 ,november #bb ,i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills4 ,,psalm cxxi4 #a4 ,peace is the message of the hills1 ,a peace that broods ,upon their mighty heads1 and fills ,their forest solitudes2 ,the leaping mountain waterfalls1 ,as each unto the other calls1 ,blend in a murmuring noise ,whose silver rushing music stills ,the pretty play of human moods1 ,and bids the calmed soul rejoice ,in the deep secrets of the woods1 ,the majesty of ,nature's voice4 ,,priscilla ,,leonard4 ,dear ,god and ,father of us all1 ,who maketh ,thy sun to rise out of the sea and tintest the hills with the rosy promise of the day1 we look up when we awake and seeing the light upon the mountains know that the day is coming to fill the world with beauty and glory4 ,with thankful hearts we praise ,thee1 and pray that to us may be granted that loftiness of nature1 that stability of character1 that repose of mind and heart and life that is prefigured to us in the natural world4 ,grant that we may each become mediums of ,thy love and hope to all who may chance to look up to us for guidance along the shores of life's tempestuous ocean4 ,may the spirit of the ,eternal find such expression in us and through us1 this day1 that all who come within the radiance of our joy may come into the consciousness of the joy of the ,eternal4 ,amen4 ,,thomas ,j4 ,,horner4 ,november #bc ,and he said unto me1 ,o ,daniel1 a man greatly beloved1 understand the words that ,i speak unto thee1 and stand upright3 for unto thee am ,i now sent1 and when he had spoken this word unto me1 ,i stood trembling4 ,then said he unto me1 ,fear not1 ,daniel1 for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand and to chasten thyself before thy ,god1 thy words were heard1 and ,i am come for thy words4444 ,then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man and he strengthened me and said1 ,o man1 greatly beloved1 fear not3 peace be unto thee1 be strong1 yea1 be strong4 ,,book ,,of ,,daniel4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee that ,thou art not far from us at any time4 ,we have only to look up reverently and to our imagination ,thou art standing near4 ,we have only to wait in the darkness of the night to feel ,thy presence with us4 ,we have only to listen at any time to hear ,thy voice4 ,thou deignest to stop and speak to us when we are in trouble1 to guide our footsteps when we have lost our way1 to renew our courage when we have become disheartened4 ,o ,lord1 speak to us this day1 saying to us1 as unto him of old1 ,peace be unto thee1 be strong1 yea1 be strong4 ,amen4 ,george ,l4 ,perin4 ,november #bd ,let star-wheels and angel-wings1 with their holy winnowings1 ,keep beside you all the way3 ,lest in passion you should dash1 with a blind and heavy crash4 ,up against the thick-bossed shield of ,god's judgment in the field4 ,,elizabeth ,,barrett ,,browning4 ,be diligent and faithful1 patient and hopeful1 one and all of you2 and may we all know1 at all times1 that verily the ,eternal rules above us1 and that nothing finally wrong has happened or can happen4 ,,thomas ,,carlyle4 ,almighty ,god1 our ,father in heaven1 the giver of every good and perfect gift1 teach us1 we pray ,thee1 how to do ,thy will on earth as it is done in heaven1 as the goal of our lives4 ,send down exceeding1 abundantly above all that we can ask or think1 the blessed influences of ,thy ,holy ,spirit1 to transform each heart and all the world into the kingdom of heaven4 ,give us the ,morning ,star of ,hope4 ,feed us from the ,tree of ,life4 ,teach us ,thy redeeming love4 ,grant that we may have some part with ,thee in the redemption of the world1 and be permitted to join with the whole glad earth in the chorus1 ,blessing and honor and glory and power be unto ,him that sitteth upon the throne1 and unto the ,lamb forever and ever4 ,amen4 ,f4 ,n4 ,,peloubet4 ,november #be ,what is the crown of the whole of life lived faithfully here8 ,it is not a crown of gold or gems in another life2 it is simply more life2 a broader use of power1 a healthier capacity1 a larger usefulness4 ,you are faithful unto death1 through the misapprehensions and imperfections and absence of appreciation or gratitude in this preparatory world1 and then there is offered to you inevitably and legitimately the crown of a larger1 more serviceable1 more effective life4 ,,francis ,g4 ,,peabody4 ,to ,thee1 ,o ,author of our lives1 we speak thanksgiving and gratitude for ,thy gifts of love and trust4 ,help us to bring them into full exercise this day4 ,by them may we know the experience of burdens made light and yokes made easy4 ,with them1 let us realize that we are effective workers with ,thee4 ,because of them1 show us how all our tasks are transformed to divine endeavors4 ,through them1 set free all other of our highest impulses4 ,so1 ,o ,god1 shall we know the fulness of life1 we and all our loved ones4 ,so shall we see doubt change to faith and blindness to vision4 ,so shall our influence through word and work be the ministry of hope and of joy to any disconsolate1 and to any who are a weak guide to the source of strength4 ,for newness of life1 for all the fruits of the spirit1 whereby the heart is ever young and in joyous companionship with the ,christ1 for all this we pray now and ever4 ,amen4 ,,william ,h4 ,,mcglauchlin4 ,november #bf ,the child frightened in his play runs to seek his mother4 ,she takes him upon her lap and presses his head to her bosom2 and with tenderest words of love1 she looks down upon him and smooths his hair and kisses his cheek1 and wipes away his tears4 ,then1 in a low and gentle voice1 she sings some sweet descant1 some lullaby of love2 and the fear fades out from his face1 and a smile of satisfaction plays over it1 and at length his eyes close1 and he sleeps in the deep depths and delights of peace4 ,god ,almighty is the mother and the soul is the tired child2 and ,he folds it in ,his arms and dispels its fears1 and lulls it to repose1 saying ,sleep1 my darling1 sleep6 ,it is ,i who watch thee4 ,,henry ,,ward ,,beecher4 ,blessed ,master6 we thank ,thee that every tired and weary child may find rest in the bosom of the ,father4 ,each morning brings with it new cares1 new duties1 new privileges1 new responsibilities2 for all these1 we need ,thy protecting care1 and pray for ,thy divine guidance4 ,when wearied and burdened with the cares of daily life1 wilt ,thou help us to flee to ,thee as the frightened child flees to the loving mother2 and wilt ,thou encircle us with ,thine arms of love1 and whisper in our ears words of comfort and cheer and of forgiveness4 ,teach us to trust ,thee in the morning1 to walk with ,thee through the day1 and to commit our ways to ,thee at all times4 ,amen4 ,,samuel ,m4 ,,dick4 ,november #bg ,certainly there never was a busier life than that of ,jesus1--,his whole great mission bounded by three hurried years4 ,yet in the morning ,he says to ,his friends3 ,let us come apart and rest awhile2 and again when the evening is come ,he is in the mountain apart1 alone4 ,that is the place of worship in a world of work4 ,it is not a refuge from duty1 or a shirking of it2 it is the renewal of power to meet one's duty and do it4 ,the work of life is not to be well done with a hot1 feverish1 overwhelmed1 and burdened mind2 it is to be well done with a mind calmed and fortified by moments of withdrawal2 and it is to be best done by one who from time to time pulls himself up in his eager life and permits ,god to speak to his soul4 ,,francis ,g4 ,,peabody4 ,o ,spirit of grace1 who withholdest ,thy blessing from none1 take from us the tediousness and anxiety of a selfish mind1 the unfruitfulness of cold affections1 the weakness of an inconstant will4 ,with the simplicity of a great purpose1 the quiet of a meek temper1 and the power of a well-ordered soul1 may we pass through the toils and watches of our pilgrimage2 grateful for all that may render the burden of duty light2 and even in strong trouble rejoicing to be deemed worthy of the severer service of ,thy will4 ,amen4 ,,james ,,martineau4 ,november #bh ,god gives to every man ,the virtue1 temper1 understanding1 taste1 ,that lifts him into life1 and lets him fall ,just in the niche he was ordain'd to fill4 ,,william ,,cowper4 ,did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly toward an object1 and in no measure obtained it8 ,if a man constantly aspires1 is he not elevated8 ,did ever a man try heroism1 magnanimity1 truth1 sincerity1 and find that there was no advantage in them--that it was a vain endeavor8 ,,henry ,,david ,,thoreau4 ,holy ,father1 help us to be thankful that no life is beneath ,thy notice4 ,if a sparrow cannot fall without ,thee1 how much more is ,thine eye fixed upon ,thy child4 ,teach us1 ,o ,lord1 that there is a divine purpose in each life4 ,but may we not try to choose this without ,thee4 ,show us how to wait upon ,thee in holy silence till ,thou dost make it known to us4 ,o ,master1 say to us3 ,as the ,father hath sent me into the world even so have ,i sent you4 ,when we have found at the ,cross our little mission1 ,o sustain us and help us to keep it steadily in view--let us share ,thy holy enthusiasm when ,thou didst say3 ,my meat is to do the will of ,him that sent me and to finish ,his work4 ,o ,father1 when we are depressed whisper to us3 ,your labor is not in vain in the ,lord4 ,may our mission transform us into the likeness of ,jesus1 and may we say with ,him at evening3 ,i have glorified ,thee on the earth2 ,i have finished the work ,thou gavest me to do4 ,amen4 ,l4 ,p4 ,,johnson4 ,november #bi ,though wrong may win1 its victory is brief1 ,the tides of good at first no passage find2 ,each surge breaks1 shattered1 on the sullen reef1-- ,yet still the infinite ocean comes behind4 ,the road of ,right has neither turn nor bend1 ,it stretches straight unto the highest goal2 ,hard1 long1 and lonely8--yes1 yet never soul ,can lose its way thereon1 nor miss the end4 ,,priscilla ,,leonard4 ,we thank ,thee1 ,heavenly ,father1 that awaking1 we are conscious that ,thou art near4 ,walk with us1 through the untried path of this day's duty and service4 ,we rejoice that ,thou art in ,thy world4 ,within its striving is ,thy calm4 ,around its restlessness is ,thy rest4 ,thy purpose fashions its achievements2 ,thy love shapes its future4 ,help us to see it with clearer vision1 to hold it fast with firmer faith4 ,when wrong seems to triumph1 may we know that it is already perishing1 and hold hard by truth and love and faith4 ,give us grace to spend this day as becometh children of ,god in honor1 in courtesy1 in sympathy1 in confident trust4 ,when the way seems long and lonely1 straight and steep1 help us to sing as we march forward1 since ,thou art with us1 ,who hast said1 ,i will never leave thee nor forsake thee4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,c4 ,p4 ,,hiller4 ,november #cj ,she was a droll little figure of a girl with a quaint old face1 that showed too early the lines of care and work1 and her clothing betokened a poverty-stricken home4 ,evidently not much of brightness had touched her life1 but her face always lightened up when she mentioned her school or her teacher4 ,why is it that you love your teacher so well8 she was asked one day4 ,her eyes shone and her lips smiled happily as she replied1 ,because she's glad to me6 ,what a tribute was that6 ,what an evidence was that of a happy heart that radiated its gladness6 ,if we cannot bring other offerings of much value to the children and the poor among us1 how blessed are we if we can bring gladness6 ,,estelle ,m4 ,,hart4 ,almighty ,god1 teach us how to be glad4 ,put some gladness into our hearts4 ,show us where gladness is hidden in our little world about us1 so that we may find it and use it4 ,give us the wisdom of ,jesus1 who1 although a ,man of ,sorrows1 yet spake ever of ,his joy and ,his peace4 ,we feel that the secret of things must be gladness1 that somehow there is a covered joy even in what we call our sufferings4 ,let us find that4 ,keep our hearts pure of the soiling of evil desire1 for we know that no gladness can come from the muddy fountains of sin4 ,let our hands be busy at some good part of the world's work1 for we know that idleness never went hand in hand with joy4 ,let our minds be open to acknowledge1 love and obey the truth1 for we feel that truth alone can satisfy our hearts4 ,and let us feel to-day the duty of gladness we owe to our fellow-creatures4 ,let us give to them what we would receive from ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,frank ,,crane4 ,december #a ,but winter has yet brighter scenes--he boasts ,splendors beyond what gorgeous ,summer knows2 ,or ,autumn with his many fruits1 and woods ,all flushed with many hues1 come when the rains ,have glazed the snow and clothed the trees with ice1 ,the incrusted surface shall upbear thy steps1 ,and the broad arching portals of the grove ,welcome thy entering4 ,,william ,,cullen ,,bryant4 ,our ,father1 we know that ,thou wilt commune with us if only we truly seek ,thee2 ,thou art the ,infinite ,consciousness and ,thou dost include within ,thyself our finite consciousness4 ,we have our life in ,thy life4 ,this morning we would be mindful of ,thy presence4 ,the northern groves with snow-laden1 bended branches bid us enter and worship4 ,thou dost send forth the rays of ,thy sun and touch them aglow with the reflected beauty of the snow-flake4 ,thou hast also created us4 ,the flake reflects the sun1 and may we reflect ,thee1 through living righteously4 ,help us to do the right and to forego the wrong4 ,amen4 ,,fred ,,alban ,,weil4 ,december #b ,a commonplace life1 we say1 and we sigh2 ,but why should we sigh as we say8 ,the commonplace sun in the commonplace sky ,makes up the commonplace day4 ,the moon and the stars are commonplace things1 ,and the flower that blooms and the bird that sings1 ,but dark were the world and sad our lot ,if the flowers failed and the sun shone not2 ,and ,god1 who studies each separate soul ,out of commonplace lives makes ,his beautiful whole4 ,,susan ,,coolidge4 ,our ,infinite ,father1 we open our hearts to ,thee1 for where ,thou art heaven is4 ,as the morning sun gives light and life to ,earth1 so ,thou givest light and life and joy to us4 ,we say ,good-morning to ,thee1 and as we listen ,thy ,good-morning comes to us4 ,as it comes we glow and expand like the opening flower4 ,may this glowing spirit of love be in all we say and do and think this day1 and still continue through all days to come4 ,when we are vexed and weary with trials and labor1 make us to remember this morning glow of ,thy ,love that it may renew rest and peace within us4 ,help us1 ,o our ,father1 to enter the beauty of this day and this life by claiming our heritage as children of light and going forth to fulfil the common duties of the day as children of ,god4 ,amen4 ,,walter ,,dole4 ,december #c ,no matter6 so long as the world is the work of eternal goodness1 and so long as conscience has not deceived us4 ,to give happiness and to do good1 there is our only law1 our anchor of salvation1 our beacon light1 our reason for existing4 ,all religions may crumble away2 so long as this survives we have still an ideal1 and life is worth living4 ,nothing can lessen the dignity and value of humanity so long as the religion of love1 of unselfishness and devotion endures2 and none can destroy the altars of this faith for us so long as we feel ourselves still capable of love4 ,,henri-,,frederic ,,amiel4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for a night of peaceful rest1 and we are glad to begin a new day with full assurance of ,thy loving care4 ,we hope for pleasant ways and large success1 but ,thy wisdom is better than our wishes and if it is appointed us to meet difficulties or temptations1 we pray for strength to sustain a manly warfare4 ,we have faith that whatever our condition ,thou wilt still provide a way by which lofty purpose and resolute endeavor may use the circumstances of our life for a nearer approach to ,thee and for service to our fellowmen4 ,to this end be then the light of our way and the strength of our life1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,,smith ,,dodge4 ,december #d ,he was a friend to man1 and lived in a house by the side of the road4 ,,homer4 ,there are hermit souls that live withdrawn ,in the peace of their self-content2 ,there are souls1 like stars1 that dwell apart1 ,in a fellow-less firmament2 ,there are pioneer souls that blaze their paths ,where highways never ran3-- ,but let me live by the side of the road ,and be a friend to man4 ,let me live in a house by the side of the road4 ,where the race of men go by-- ,the men who are good and the men who are bad1 ,as good and as bad as ,i4 ,i would not sit in the scorner's seat1 ,or hurl the cynic's ban3-- ,let me live in a house by the side of the road ,and be a friend to man4 ,,sam ,,walter ,,foss4 ,our ,father in ,heaven1 we come with thanksgiving for the light of another day and all the blessings which it brings from ,thee4 ,may the precious moments before us be filled with activity4 ,forgive us if we have been remiss in seizing our opportunities and so lead us this day that if we shall be called to ,thee1 the sweet voice of the ,master may greet us with1 ,inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren1 ye have done it unto ,me4 ,in ,jesus' name4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,e4 ,,charlton4 ,december #e ,one old lady kept a sighing2 ,said she wasn't young1 ,didn't look as sweet's she used to1 ,times were all unstrung2 ,troubles doubled aches1 and favors ,went a flying past1 ,wrinkles stung like thorns1 and eyesight ,kept a failing fast4 ,one old lady kept a saying ,life was like the spring1 ,brighter blossoms always coming1 ,birds around to sing2 ,troubles came--and went2 she let 'em1 ,didn't count the throng4 ,thanked the ,lord 'most every morning ,she'd been young so long6 ,,jessie ,m4 ,,shaw4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 wilt ,thou forgive us for the sighs and tears and frowns and doubts of yesterday8 ,especially wilt ,thou forgive us for all that was little and petty and mean8 ,may we begin again today with larger vision1 higher hope and nobler ambition4 ,may there be no sighs for lost beauty1 no grief over faded youth and no lamentation over lost fortune4 ,thankful and glad for what we have1 may we find our joy in using it for some high end4 ,so may we conserve the youth of the heart and the light of the soul4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,december #f ,there is never a sky of winter ,to the heart that sings alway2 ,never a night but hath stars to light1 ,and dreams of a rosy day4 ,the world is ever a garden ,red with the bloom of ,may2 ,and never a stormy morning ,to the heart that sings alway6 ,,frank ,l4 ,,stanton4 ,o ,thou who art the ,love1 the ,light1 and the ,life in whom is no discord1 no darkness1 no disease nor death2 but who art ever radiating sympathy1 vision and health2 we give ,thee hearty thanks for the consciousness of ,thy abiding presence when we possess a humble and contrite spirit4 ,may we ever remember that nothing but our own selfishness1 pride1 and forgetfulness can break this constant communion with ,thee4 ,open our hearts just now for the inflow of the divine ,love in order that we may pass it on to others today4 ,open our eyes today that we may see ,thee everywhere striving against selfishness in the lives of all men4 ,fill us with ,thy ,life today in order that there may go out to others a heavenly harmony1 a song1 a symphony1 that will dispel discord1 darkness and disease2 that will overcome evil with good4 ,amen4 ,e4 ,j4 ,,helms4 ,december #g ,as the bird trims her to the gale1 ,i trim myself to the storm of time1 ,i man the rudder1 reef the sail1 ,obey the voice at eve obeyed at prime2 ,lowly faithful1 banish fear1 ,right onward drive unharmed2 ,the port1 well worth the cruise1 is near1 ,and every wave is charmed4 ,,ralph ,,waldo ,,emerson4 ,heavenly ,father1 keep our faces in the light and upward4 ,make us courageous in the storm4 ,help us to consecrate all our powers against the contrary winds and listen for the loving voice of ,him who walks the rough waves and comes toward our frail barks4 ,may we never be afraid2 may we know peace and rest and trust4 ,o ,saviour1 help us to know the reality of ,thy love and friendship1 and hear ,thee say in the darkest hour1 ,all is well4 ,may no storm be too severe1 no burden too heavy1 no task too hard4 ,so let us believe and live4 ,amen4 ,,cortland ,,myers4 ,december #h ,love thyself last3 cherish those hearts that hate thee1 ,corruption wins not more than honesty4 ,still in thy right hand carry gentle peace1 ,to silence envious tongues4 ,be just1 and fear not3 ,let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's1 ,thy ,god's1 and truth's2 then if thou fall'st1 ,o ,cromwell1 ,thou fall'st a blessed martyr6 ,,shakespeare4 ,father ,almighty1 we do trust in ,thee1 and we ask ,thee for everything4 ,thou art pleased to give us everything4 ,thou dost give us the light by which we see4 ,thou dost give us this air which we breathe and with which we speak4 ,best of all1 ,thou hast shown us that we are one family of ,thy children1 alive in ,thy life and strong in ,thy strength4 ,thou dost give us the water that we drink and the food that we eat4 ,everything is ,thine while it is ours4 ,now1 ,father1 we are here to consecrate these gifts to ,thy service1 to come and go indeed as ,thy children2 when we speak1 to speak the word that ,thou shalt teach2 when we act1 to do the thing that ,thou wouldst4 ,moreover1 inspire us with ,thine holy spirit1 that we may so come and go in our ,father's service1 and for the coming of ,thy kingdom in this world1 that all men may be one1 and may bear one another's burdens1 and so fulfil the law of ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,,everett ,,hale4 ,december #i ,each soul1 alone unto herself1 must bear ,the heartache out of which man wins despair ,or hope according to his faculty4 ,nathless one thing is certain2 who hath known ,truth1 beauty1 goodness1 shining in their sphere1 ,shall not be lost through any lesser lure4 ,on black tempestuous waves he may be thrown2 ,yet to the right port shall he surely steer1 ,and ,god ,himself shall make his doing pure4 ,,john ,,addington ,,symonds4 ,o ,god1 with the dawn we would lift our grateful hearts to ,thee6 ,we know not what ,thou hast in store for us this new day1 but we rejoice that we are in ,thy thought1 and that we cannot pass beyond the reach of ,thy love4 ,helpless and weak1 we pray for courage to be undaunted by the uncertainties of life1 and that we may meet all its duties with a firm and tranquil mind4 ,grant that we may be helpful to all with whom we come in contact and forbid that we should judge others hastily or uncharitably4 ,may our minds and hearts be open to the truth1 that we may know and do ,thy gracious will4 ,guided and guarded by ,thee1 may the day be full of peace1 purity and power4 ,amen4 ,,george ,m4 ,,howe4 ,december #aj ,there was never a song that was sung by thee1 ,but a sweeter one was meant to be4 ,there was never a deed that was grandly done1 ,but a greater was meant by some earnest one4 ,for the sweetest voice can never impart ,the song that trembles within the heart4 ,and the brain and the hand can never quite do ,the thing that the soul has fondly in view4 ,and hence are the tears and the burdens of pain1 ,for the shining goals are never to gain ,but enough that a ,god can hear and see ,the song and the deed that were meant to be4 ,,benjamin ,r4 ,,bulkeley4 ,almighty ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 who hast illumined the morning with the brightness of ,thy life1 we rejoice in the potency of the influence that brings us into communion with ,thee4 ,for the blessed revelation of ,thyself1 for life and all things that nourish it1 for the earth and the fulness thereof1 for daily comforts and mercies and for the ,light that lighteth every man who cometh into the world1 we give ,thee thanks4 ,we thank ,thee too for the songs that we have sung and for the better songs that are in our hearts4 ,we thank ,thee for every noble deed and also for the dreams of nobler deeds that men have cherished4 ,o ,lord1 bless our work and fill us with aspiration for nobler service4 ,bless the poor1 the sick1 and those that mourn4 ,hear this our prayer and answer our petition through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,frank ,d4 ,,sargent4 ,december #aa ,love the spot where you are1 and the friends ,god has given you and be sure to expect everything good of them4 ,,john ,,albee4 ,when do we lift each other up8 ,must we gain a height first or can we reach up our feebleness together to the ,hands that do offer us a mighty help from on high8 ,near doing1 and near living1 and near loving2 these life-particles make the great heaven1 as the little polarized atoms of light1 all magnetized one way1 make the great blue in which the stars burn forever4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,no discontent could harass us if we had a deeper faith in ,thee and a broader love for those about us4 ,we praise ,thee1 therefore1 that we may be rooted and grounded in ,christ4 ,and that our little lives may glorify ,him by bringing forth abundant fruit4 ,thou dost give us the holy privilege of being co-laborers with ,thee in the salvation of needy humanity4 ,around us are the countless opportunities for ennobling and gladdening the lives of those whose courage burns low1 or who have never known the transforming companionship of ,christ4 ,we would not forget that we are debtors to ,thee and to that great ,host whose love and service has inspired us4 ,may we be not selfish takers only1 but generous givers4 ,may there be less gloom1 fewer shackles1 less guilt in the world because we are mastered by the spirit of ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,philip ,l4 ,,frick4 ,december #ab ,have you learned lessons only of those who admired you1 and were tender with you1 and stood aside for you8 ,have you not learned great lessons from those who reject you1 and brace themselves against you8 or who treat you with contempt1 or dispute the passage with you8 ,,walt ,,whitman4 ,help us1 ,o ,god1 always to be hopeful2 teach us what it means to hope in ,thee1 and may we experience the truth of the promise which says3 ,he will strengthen your heart that hopes in ,him2 but help us not to indulge in too fond hopes nor to be too easily elated by future dreams4 ,may we see life clearly as it is and be ready to accept courageously whatsoever ,thou sendest us4 ,help us to accept all our joys as ,thy blessings2 all our duties as ,thy commands1 and our sorrows as of ,thine appointment1 and help us to believe that ,thou wilt turn even that which seems to harm us1 into everlasting good and everlasting joy4 ,amen4 ,,john ,f4 ,,meyer4 ,december #ac ,life should be a giving birth to the soul1 the development of a higher mode of reality4 ,the animal must be humanized3 flesh must be made spirit2 physiological activity must be transmuted into intellect and conscience1 into reason1 justice1 and generosity1 as the torch is transmuted into light and warmth4 ,the blind1 greedy1 selfish nature of man must put on beauty and nobleness4 ,this heavenly alchemy is what justifies our presence on the earth2 it is our mission and our glory4 ,,henri-,,frederic ,,amiel4 ,our ,father1 this world is ,thy world1 and this day is ,thy renewed gift of opportunity to learn life's lesson more perfectly4 ,we need clearer insight into ,thy designs1 that we may loathe every form of selfishness1 and love devotion4 ,give us to know the ,christ more intimately1 and in the strength of ,his apprehended presence help us to employ this day in practising the holy principles ,he taught4 ,assist us this morning to have1 and throughout this day to keep1 such an attitude of glad co-operation with ,him1 that work shall be shot through and through with joy in anticipation of its glorious result4 ,so may this day be to us a time of real soul expansion2 a wooing and a winning of that which is highest1 even a purer1 noble character4 ,amen4 ,j4 ,,edwin ,,lacount4 ,december #ad ',tis the mind that makes the body rich1 ,and as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds1 ,so honor peereth in the meanest habit4 ,what1 is the jay more precious than the lark1 ,because his feathers are more beautiful8 ,or is the adder better than the eel1 ,because his painted skin contents the eye8 ,,shakespeare4 ,in this world of mingled good and evil1 amid the ceaseless struggle of the better with the worse1 grant unto us our ,father1 the cheerful assurance that we are enlisted in the service of the good1 bound for the better1 and destined for the best4 ,reveal to us each day some task that we can do for ,thee1 some chance to bear with ,christ the burden of another1 some call to take the side of the right against the wrong4 ,help us to conquer hardship by patience1 despair by hope1 fear by courage1 and hate by love2 and may we find the peace1 the power1 the glory of ,thy perfect will and ,thy great kingdom reflected and reproduced in our hearts and lives4 ,amen4 ,,william ,,dewitt ,,hyde4 ,december #ae ,call him not old1 whose visionary brain ,holds o'er the past its undivided reign1 ,for him in vain the envious seasons roll ,who bears eternal summer in his soul4 ,if yet the minstrel's song1 the poet's lay1 ,spring with her birds1 or children at their play1 ,or maiden's smile1 or heavenly dream of art1 ,stir the few life-drops creeping round his heart1 ,turn to the record where his years are told1-- ,count his gray hairs1--they cannot make him old6 ,,oliver ,,wendell ,,holmes4 ,thou infinite ,spirit of ,life1 in ,thy sight1 there is no old age4 ,the step may grow feeble1 the hair may whiten1 the eye may grow dim1 but each human soul is still ,thy child4 ,we gather about the tables of earth1 families of children1 some older1 some younger1 but all young in ,thy sight4 ,we pause for a moment this morning to pray for the spirit of youth4 ,let us cherish the power of hoping and of believing4 ,let us have that fine quality of the child life which keeps it facing the future with glad expectancy4 ,let us not give over our toils till we must4 ,let us not relinquish our interest in life till the evening shadows fall1 and even at the last1 let us lie down like the child who sleeps with his hand in the hand of his mother4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,december #af ,o toiling bands of mortals6 ,o unwearied feet1 travelling we know not whither6 ,soon1 soon1 it seems to you1 you must come forth on some conspicuous hilltop1 and but a little way further1 against the setting sun1 descry the spires of ,el ,dorado4 ,little do ye know your own blessedness2 for to travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive1 and the true success is to labor4 ,,robert ,,louis ,,stevenson4 ,our ,father1 we thank ,thee for the work that ,thou givest us to do2 for its joy1 for its zest1 even for its very task and weariness4 ,we would interpret our labor by the highest good it brings us2 through our brave and cheerful doing ,thy heaven of peace is found4 ,we thank ,thee for our diviner hopes1 and for the ,spirit that would complete them4 ,they light our days with gladness1 and set our feet in large places1 and though the higher hill-tops seem far away1 yet meeting our duties faithfully1 we do see them1 and looking back we find the places of our departure lying far below4 ,o blessed tasks6 ,o blessed hopes6 ,that lead us ever to our ,father's love4 ,amen4 ,,albert ,j4 ,,coleman4 ,december #ag ,god speaks to hearts of men in many ways3 ,some the red banner of the rising sun1 ,spread o'er the snow-clad hills1 has taught his praise4 ,some the sweet silence when the day is done2 ,some1 after loveless lives1 at length have won ,his word in children's hearts and children's gaze2 ,and some have found him where low rafters ring ,to greet the hand that helps1 the heart that cheers2 ,and some in prayer1 and some in perfecting ,of watchful toil through unrewarding years2 ,and some not less are his1 who vainly sought ,his voice1 and with his silence have been taught1-- ,who bore his chains who bade them to be bound1 ,and at the end in finding not have found4 ,,anonymous4 ,o ,god1 all voices of the earth are ,thine1 even when there is no speech or language1 ,thy messages have many ways to reach the listening heart4 ,give us this day to hear at least some whisper of ,thy grace4 ,if it may be1 open our minds and attune our spirits to receive more than we could hitherto interpret of the assurances sent to us by elevated goodness and love4 ,so let us be defended this day against wrong1 and do our work in joy and peace through the knowledge that ,thou art with us1 our friend and helper even unto the end4 ,amen4 ,,howard ,n4 ,,brown4 ,december #ah ,did you ever see a schoolboy tumble on the ice without stooping immediately to re-buckle the strap of his skates8 ,and would not ,ignotus have painted a masterpiece if he could have found good brushes and a proper canvas8 ,life's shortcomings would be bitter indeed if we could not find excuses for them outside of ourselves4 ,and as for life's successes--well1 it is certainly wholesome to remember how many of them are due to a fortunate position and the proper tools4 ,,henry ,,van ,,dyke4 ,our ,father1 ,god1 help us to begin this new day with the right spirit in our hearts1--the spirit of love toward ,thee and our fellowmen4 ,help us to begin the day if possible without mistake4 ,if1 in our human weakness we find that we have not succeeded1 that we have erred or gone astray1 help us not to despair1 not to be discouraged2 help us to know and to seek and to love the right4 ,help us never to forget what we owe to ,thee1 to our friends1 and the beautiful world ,thou hast given us4 ,daily bread we have1 opportunities open1 like books on every hand4 ,greater than all life's bitter is its sweet4 ,ever ready is the ,master to bless2 ever ready is the spirit to comfort ,thy children look up and praise the ,father eternal4 ,amen4 ,,ransom ,a4 ,,greene4 ,december #ai ,i love ,thee1 ,o ,son of ,man6 for ,thy strength and ,thy sweetness1 for ,thy simplicity1 ,thy courage1 ,thine infinite tenderness1 for ,thy glance which strengthens and pardons us1 quickens us and lifts us up2 for all that ,thou hast brought us of consolation1 of peace and of warmth of heart4 ,abide ,thou with us6 ,teach us to see the divine spark imprisoned in every stone of the highway4 ,,charles ,,wagner4 ,o ,lord1 our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank ,thee for all ,thy manifold mercies to us1 for all ,thy constant care and watchfulness over us from the beginning of our lives to this day1 for the revelations of ,thy presence in the world about us1 in the shining sky1 in the earth beneath our feet1 and in the faces of our friends4 ,bless us1 ,o ,lord1 this day1 with health and strength and a good courage1 and grant that we may show our gratitude for all ,thy goodness not only with our lips but in our lives1 through ,jesus ,christ1 our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,george ,,hodges4 ,december #bj ,in every ,oh my ,father6 ,slumbers deep a ,here1 my child4 ,,tholuck4 ,this world1 with its wonderful creations1 its beauties1 and mysteries may lead a child up to the father's throne1 if his heart and mind are open to it4 ,fill the heart with goodness and there is no place for badness4 ,fill the soul with heaven1 and there is no hell4 ,and this delightful time will come when ,god is all and in all4 ,,abbie ,e4 ,,danforth4 ,our ,father1 who art in heaven2 we know that ,thou hast been good to us4 ,we thank ,thee for the daily witnesses of ,thy love4 ,and we would walk worthily before ,thee4 ,but we are weak4 ,help us1 ,o ,father to see clearly what ,thou would'st have us do6 ,give us strength4 ,fill us with ,thy spirit1 that all the way we may be pure and patient4 ,help us to walk aright4 ,in the name of ,jesus ,christ4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,h4 ,,puffer4 ,december #ba ,grand is the seen1 the light1 to me--grand are the sky and stars1 ,grand is the earth1 and grand are lasting time and space1 ,and grand their laws1 so multiform1 puzzling1 evolutionary2 ,but grander far the unseen soul of me1 comprehending1 endowing all those1 ,lighting the light1 the sky and stars1 delving the earth1 sailing the sea1 7,what were all those1 indeed1 without thee1 unseen soul8 of what amount without ,thee87 ,more evolutionary1 vast1 puzzling1 ,o my soul6 ,more multiform far--more lasting ,thou than they4 ,,walt ,,whitman4 ,o ,thou1 our ,heavenly ,father1 in spirit we reach out to ,thy great spirit4 ,quicken within us visions of what things we may do this day1 with ,thee at hand1 ,thy love abounding4 ,give us vision that we may rise to the opportunities of our daily task4 ,let ,thy holy spirit bear witness to the reality of our dreams and aspirations1 that we may look not idly upon our opportunities1 but rather that each new opportunity shall challenge us to nobler effort4 ,o keep us this day full of faith in ourselves and ,thee1 each obedient to our vision1 until full purposed1 winning ,thine approval1 we shall accomplish the thing for which ,thou sendest us1 and ,thine be the glory4 ,amen4 ,,james ,d4 ,,tillinghast4 ,december #bb ,i see the wrong that round me lies1 ,i feel the guilt within1 ,with groan and travail cries ,i hear the world confess its sin4 ,within the maddening maze of things1 ,and tossed by storm and flood1 ,to one fixed stake my spirit clings3 ,i know that ,god is good4 ,i know not where his islands lift ,their fronded palms in air2 ,i only know ,i cannot drift ,beyond ,his love and care4 ,,john ,,greenleaf ,,whittier4 ,o ,thou1 without whose care a sparrow does not fall1 who through the pathless sky dost guide the bird seeking its distant nest1 ,thy trusting children are safe in ,thy dear love4 ,we know not the way before us1 but ,thou dost know2 our feet may stumble in rough paths1 but ,thou wilt hold us up4 ,glad in this confidence1 may we begin the day with song and finish it1 whatever may befall us1 in the calm assurance that all things work for good4 ,give us patience in perplexity1 hope amid our fears1 and faith to trust ,thy holy will as best4 ,thus walking in ,thy love may we reach home at last to see our ,saviour's face4 ,amen4 ,,stephen ,a4 ,,norton4 ,december #bc ,wouldst make thy life go fair and square8 ,thou must not for the past feel care2 ,whatever thy loss1 thou must not mourn2 ,must ever act as if new-born4 ,what each day wants of thee1 that ask2 ,what each day tells thee1 that make thy task2 ,with pride thine own performance viewing1 ,with heart to admire another's doing2 ,above all1 hate no human being1 ,and all the future leave to the ,all-,seeing4 ,,goethe4 ,dear ,father1 grateful for another new-born day1 myself new-born1 ,i greet ,thee6 ,yesterday and all other yesterdays are in ,thy keeping4 ,this day is mine6 ,for the failures of the past ,i care not1 nor do ,i mourn the losses of the days gone by4 ,today ,i am new-born6 ,indeed1 aspiring to ,thy comprehensive wisdom1 ,i may see my past and my present as one1 and out of that past ,i may select--even from failures and losses--such experiences and lessons as will help me live the present--at least this one day which is mine6--more nobly1 more fully1 more usefully1 more beautifully4 ,may ,i1 knowing myself to be ,thy ,child1 respect myself as a creative spirit able to look upon its own work and to say3 ,behold1 it is good6 ,and above all1 ,i pray3 that1 to-day and always1 ,i may grow in grace and loving-kindness1--hating no one1 but feeling1 thinking1 speaking1 acting with good will towards all ,thy creatures6 ,this day is mine6 ,the future ,i leave to ,thee1 ,all-,seeing ,father6 but feel myself ,thy open-eyed and confident child4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,,fleischer4 ,december #bd ',mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam1 ,be it ever so humble1 there's no place like home2 ,a charm from the skies seems to hallow us there1 ,which sought through the world is ne'er met with elsewhere4 ,an exile from home splendor dazzles in vain1 ,oh give me my lowly thatched cottage again2 ,the birds singing gaily1 that came at my call1 ,give me them1 and that peace of mind dearer than all4 ,j4 ,,howard ,,payne4 ,o ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father1 we thank thee for the blessings of home2 for the shelter1 safety1 and hallowed associations of our domestic habitation2 for the sympathy and helpfulness of family relationship4 ,help us we pray thee to make ours an ideal household1 bright with cheerfulness1 an exemplification of ,christian faith and hope4 ,may the happiness of all be the object of each4 ,to that end help us to be patient toward one another1 kind and forgiving4 ,may we realize by many beatific experiences that it is better to give than to receive1 better to serve than to be served4 ,may we be disposed1 as occasion may arise1 to share1 for a season1 the comfort and inspiration of our home with those who are homeless4 ,we thank ,thee for the bright assurance that beyond the fading scenes and transitory experiences of this life1 there is1 awaiting us1 an eternal abiding place in a continuing city whose maker and builder is ,god1 where there shall be no more parting1 and where the shadows of our present life shall forever flee away4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,,conklin4 ,december #be ,that ever-vivid scene of ,bethlehem4444 ,a father1 a mother1 and a child are there4 ,no religion which began like that could ever lose its character4 ,the first unit of human life1 the soul1 is there1 in the new-born personality of the childhood4 ,but the second unit of human life1 the family1 is just as truly there in the familiar relation of husband and wife and the sacred1 eternal mystery of motherhood4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,glory to ,god in the highest1 and on earth ,peace4 ,we take up the angel symphony and give it new breath1 this gladsome day of days4 ,thou who didst send ,thy ,son in the likeness of a little child1 that by ,his life of increase in love and beauty and wisdom and power ,he might give us courage to begin as children the obedience that alone leads at last to the measure of the stature of ,his fulness1 accept our unutterable gratitude for all that gift4 ,and oh1 may ,he be born in us and formed in us1 the hope of glory1 that so we may share ,his peace1 ,his victory1 ,his exaltation1 ,his union with ,thee4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,,ellwood ,,nash4 ,december #bf ,two are the pathways by which mankind can to virtue mount upward2 ,if thou shouldst find the one barr'd1 open the other will lie4 ',tis by exertion the ,happy obtain her1 the ,suffering by patience1 ,blest is the man whose kind fate guides him along upon both6 ,,schiller4 ,o ,thou who hast kept us safely during the unconsciousness of our slumbering hours1 and brought us refreshed to this morning light1 prepare us for the duties of this day by filling us with the assurance that we are ,thine1 and that ,thou lovest us4 ,help us to be more like ,thee1 to love ,thee more and serve ,thee better4 ,may we manifest our love to ,thee by our willingness to be of service to our fellowmen4 ,make us warm-hearted and true1 helpful and kind1 reflecting ,thy love and doing ,thy will4 ,we are glad to live in this beautiful world4 ,and we pray that we may be faithful co-laborers with ,jesus ,christ1 in being light1 love and joy to all lives4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,r4 ,,tenney4 ,december #bg ,stronger1 and more frequently1 comes the temptation to stop singing1 and let discord do its own wild work4 ,but blessed are they that endure to the end1--singing patiently and sweetly1 till all join in with loving acquiescence1 and universal harmony prevails1 without forcing into submission the free discord of a single voice4 ,this is the hardest and the bravest task which a true soul has to perform amid the clashing elements of time4 ,but once has it been done perfectly unto the end2 and that voice--so clear in its meekness--is heard above all the din of a tumultuous world3 one after another chimes in with its patient sweetness2 and1 through infinite discords1 the listening soul can perceive that the great tune is slowly coming into harmony4 ,,lydia ,,maria ,,child4 ,our ,father1 who art in heaven6 ,we thank ,thee that we are permitted to see the light1 engage in the duties and enter into the experiences of this new day4 ,we thank ,thee for the order and harmony of this wonderful universe2 that every force and law and being supports and balances every other force1 law and being2 that every life contributes to or may contribute to the welfare of every other life1 and we pray1 that each one of us may come into such relations with ,thee1 the great harmonizing soul of things1 as to add our little note to the full anthem of perpetual and adorable praise4 ,in ,christ's dear name1 we ask and offer all4 ,amen4 ,a4 ,j4 ,,patterson4 ,december #bh ,it is said that a friend once asked the great composer1 ,haydn1 why his church music was always so full of gladness4 ,he answered1 ,i cannot make it otherwise2 ,i write according to the thoughts ,i feel2 when ,i think upon my ,god1 my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance and leap from my pen2 and since ,god has given me a cheerful heart1 it will be pardoned me that ,i serve ,him with a cheerful spirit4 ,pardoned8 ,nay1 it will be praised and rewarded4 ,for ,god looks with approval and man turns with gratitude to everyone who shows by a cheerful life that religion is a blessing for this world and the next4 ,,henry ,,van ,,dyke4 ,our ,father in ,heaven1 we awake this morning with a sense of thankfulness for the beauty and glory of ,thy creation4 ,we praise ,thee that as ,thy children we can be conscious of the kingdom of heaven always about us4 ,so we pray for that attitude of mind and spirit of soul that will unlock for us the divine life4 ,help us to be conscious of ,thee in all the varied experiences of this day4 ,if it shall be a day of burdens1 give us strength to play our part uncomplainingly1 if a day of joy to accept it with true gratitude2 and when the shades of night shall call us to our rest1 may our memory of the day bring us peace4 ,amen4 ,,edward ,c4 ,,downey4 ,december #bi ,ah1 don't be sorrowful1 darling1 ,and don't be sorrowful1 pray2 ,taking the year together1 my dear1 ,there isn't more night than day4 ',tis rainy weather1 my darling2 ,time's waves they heavily run2 ,but taking the year together1 my dear1 ,there isn't more cloud than sun4 ,,alice ,,cary4 ,we thank ,thee1 heavenly ,father1 for the days just as they come4 ,nor would we measure the sunshine against the storm as if to test ,thy goodness by some petty form of bookkeeping4 ,thou presidest over all our days1 and whatever may be the face of nature we trust ,thy love4 ,let us go forth today1 not in critical mood nor despondent mood but in the mood of high ,christian faith1 anxious1 not to test ,thy providence1 but ready to do our own part1 taking care to hold our cup of blessing open-side up2 so shall it catch the manna when it falls4 ,then shall each passing day be full of blessing4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,december #cj ,fades the rose2 the year grows old2 ,the tale is told2 ,youth doth depart-- ,only stays the heart4 ,ah1 no6 if stays the heart1 ,youth can ne'er depart1 ,nor the sweet tale be told-- ,never the rose fade1 nor the year grow old4 ,,richard ,,watson ,,gilder4 ,dear ,father1 we thank ,thee for the year now coming to its close1 and for all that has blessed us in it4 ,help us to keep the good wherewith it has done us good in lasting memory4 ,by the flight of time which its passing emphasizes move us to earnestness in the labors committed to our hands4 ,beyond this help us that we may be undisturbed1 remembering that ,thou art our dwelling place1 and that we are the children of ,thy love and the sharers of ,thy everlastingness4 ,so may we keep the vision of youth1 the vision to which endings are but beginnings1 the good leading to the better1 and the best forever more4 ,may ,thy blessing be upon all whom we love and should pray for in this and every day1 in ,jesus' name4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,r4 ,,tenney4 ,december #ca ,be not afraid1 dear friend4 ,what of sickness6 ,what of sorrow6 ,what of failure6 ,what of misfortune6 ,what of death6 ,is not this ,god's world8 ,are not you ,god's child8 ,go forth into the ,new ,year with brave heart4 ,when fortune smiles1 smile with her4 ,when fortune frowns1 smile the more1 and trust in ,god4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1 we stand upon the utmost verge of the old year4 ,forgetting the things that are behind1 we stand with our faces looking earnestly into the future4 ,we do not despise the past1 we do not forget its manifold blessings4 ,we do not forget that ,thou hast been with us in the old year2 for all this we would be grateful4 ,with clear vision and earnestness of purpose1 we would stand looking into the future expectantly1 ready for its duties and its responsibilities2 yet not ostentatiously nor with over-confidence1 for we know our own infirmities1 our own weaknesses4 ,we would enter upon the ,new ,year with confidence1 not because of our own strength1 but because of ,thy living presence4 ,thou art always with us1 ,thou art pouring out ,thy spirit upon us4 ,o ,lord1 let us believe in ,thee1 and believing1 let us have a heart for any fate4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,services for ,special ,days ,good ,friday ,easter ,thanksgiving ,day ,birth of a ,baby ,child's ,birthday ,father's ,birthday ,mother's ,birthday ,general ,birthday ,good ,friday ,why dost thou glare so fierce ,o ,death1 as thou wouldst pierce1 ,with thine uplifted dart1 ,my sinking heart8 ,yet though men fear thee so ,wherever thou dost go1 ,and tremble at thy feet1 ,thou art a cheat6 ,though men thy pity crave1 ,though naught from thee can save1 ,thy ,master rules above1 ,thou servest ,love4 ,,henry ,,nehemiah ,,dodge4 ,o ,thou1 who didst not spare ,thine own ,son1 but didst deliver ,him up for us all1 we cannot ask ,thee to withhold us from our ,gethsemane nor even from our ,calvary4 ,but when ,thou callest us to go down into the gloom or up to the cross1 remember1 ,o ,god1 that we are dust4 ,might we so dwell with ,thee in ,thy secret place1 as to abide under ,thy shadow6 ,there1 sheltered and unafraid1 we should sustain the rod as eager for its chastening stroke1 praying only for wisdom to learn its lesson and acquire its discipline4 ,with the picture of the crucified ,savior before us1 we only cry this day as ,he taught us1 ,thy will be done4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,,ellwood ,,nash4 ,easter ,see1 in that rock-hewn garden sepulchre1 ,the ,holy ,one of ,god1 despised and slain1 ,with nail-torn hands and feet1 and spear-pierced side1 ,his gentle brow by mocking thorns defaced2 ,see where ,he lies1 obedient unto death4 ,into that pallid face the glow of life ,begins to steal1 while silent and in awe ,the heavenly watchers stand4 ,now they with haste ,unwind the scented wrappings from ,his form ,that fill the place with rich aromas rare1 ,perfume of spicery and sweet spikenard's breath ,lingering since ,love her alabastron broke1 ,and with her tresses wiped these tear-bathed feet4 ,and then1 their joyful faces all aglow ,like flashing sunbeams1 quickly by a touch ,they roll away the stone with jarring shock1 ,as if an earthquake passed1 and sitting there ,behold their ,lord go forth1 ,death's ,conqueror6 ,,henry ,,nehemiah ,,dodge4 ,o ,thou ,eternal ,one1 who gatherest our fleeting moments into ,thy permanence1 when we draw close to ,thee the terrors of change and vicissitude pass away1 and a sense of the stability and security of all that is good brings us peace4 ,we rejoice to know through ,thy gospel that life is ever lord of death4 ,thou didst not suffer ,thy ,holy ,one to see corruption1 and we trust that because ,he lives we shall live also4 ,o grant that1 believing in ,him1 we may not see death save as a door to more abounding life1 and so realize our privilege daily to be risen with ,him in the newness and power of an endless life4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,,ellwood ,,nash4 ,thanksgiving ,make a joyful noise unto the ,lord1 all ye lands4 ,serve the ,lord with gladness3 come before ,his presence with singing4 ,know ye that the ,lord ,he is ,god2 it is ,he that hath made us1 and not we ourselves2 we are ,his people1 and the sheep of ,his pasture4 ,enter into ,his gates with thanksgiving1 and into ,his courts with praise3 be thankful unto ,him1 and bless ,his name4 ,for the ,lord is good2 ,his mercy is everlasting2 and ,his truth endureth to all generations4 ,,psalm #ajj4 ,for days of health1 for nights of quiet sleep2 for seasons of bounty and of beauty1 for all earth's contributions to our need through this past year3 ,good ,lord1 we thank ,thee4 ,for our country's shelter2 for our homes2 for the joy of faces1 and the joy of hearts that love3 for the power of great examples2 for holy ones who lead us in the ways of life and love3 for our powers of growth2 for longings to be better and do more2 for ,ideals that ever rise above our real3 for opportunities well used2 for opportunities unused1 and even those misused3 ,good ,lord1 we humbly thank ,thee6 ,for our temptations1 and for any victory over sins that close beset us2 for the gladness that abides with loyalty and the peace of the return3 for the blessedness of service and the power to fit ourselves to others' needs3 for our necessities to work2 for burdens1 pain1 and disappointments1 means of growth2 for sorrow2 for death3 for all that brings us nearer to each other1 nearer to ourselves1 near to ,thee2 for ,life3 ,we thank ,thee1 ,o our ,father6 ,,william ,c4 ,,gannett4 ,birth of a ,baby ,where did you come from1 baby dear8 ,out of the everywhere into the here4 ,where did you get your eyes so blue8 ,out of the sky as ,i came through4 ,what makes the light in them sparkle and spin8 ,some of the starry spikes left in4 ,where did you get that little tear8 ,i found it waiting when ,i got here4 ,what makes your forehead so smooth and high8 ,a soft hand stroked it as ,i went by4 ,what makes your cheek like a warm white rose8 ,something better than anyone knows4 ,whence that three-cornered smile of bliss8 ,three angels gave me at once a kiss4 ,where did you get those arms and hands8 ,love made itself into hooks and bands4 ,feet1 whence did you come1 you darling things8 ,from the same box as the cherub's wings4 ,how did they all just come to be you8 ,god thought about me1 and so ,i grew4 ,but how did you come to us1 you dear8 ,god thought of ,you1 and so ,i am here4 ,,george ,,macdonald ,fresh from the ,gates of ,heaven1 our ,father1 this dear child has come1 opening in our hearts springs of new and deeper affection4 ,we thank ,thee for this life whose coming has filled our lives with sunshine4 ,teach us how to live that we may guide it aright1 so that as the years pass more and more sunlight shall be radiated4 ,even as ,thine angels kissed the sweet rosebud lips and left a smile thereon1 so may we kiss away the tears of life4 ,heavenly ,father1 we consecrate this child to ,thy service4 ,we pray that the ears may learn to listen for ,thy voice1 speaking in truth and purity4 ,may the tiny hands be ever ready to do a service of love and may the feet be swift to do ,thy bidding4 ,tenderly guide this precious child1 for it needs ,thy guidance1 and safely guard it through all the years1 lest it go astray4 ,this we ask in the name of ,him who took little children in ,his arms and blessed them1 saying--,suffer little children to come unto me1 and forbid them not1 for of such is the kingdom of ,heaven4 ,amen4 ,,florence ,h4 ,,perin4 ,a ,child's ,birthday ,a dreary place would be this earth1 ,were there no little people in it3 ,the song of life would lose its mirth1 ,were there no children to begin it3 ,no little forms1 like buds to grow1 ,and make the admiring heart surrender3 ,no little hands on breast and brow1 ,to keep the thrilling love-chords tender4 ,the sterner souls would grow more stern1 ,unfeeling nature more inhuman1 ,and man to stoic coldness turn1 ,and woman would be less than woman4 ,life's song1 indeed1 would lose its charm1 ,were there no babies to begin it2 ,a doleful place this world would be1 ,were there no little people in it4 ,,john ,,greenleaf ,,whittier4 ,our dear ,heavenly ,father1 ,thou lookest upon us all as ,thy children1--whether our hair be flaxen or brown or white with age4 ,we thank ,thee today for the children of our own household1 for our children1 and all the children1 and especially do we thank ,thee for the one whose birthday we celebrate here to-day4 ,may ,thy blessing be upon him 7her71 may the skies be bright over his 7her7 head1--may the birds sing to him 7her74 ,may the flowers blossom around his 7her7 pathway4 ,thro' all the journey of this life let him 7her7 have the guidance of ,thy ,father hand4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,a ,father's ,birthday ,the boy enjoyed this kind of a father at the time1 and later he came to understand1 with a grateful heart1 that there is no richer inheritance in all the treasury of unearned blessings4 ,for1 after all1 the love1 the patience1 the kindly wisdom of a grown man who can enter into the perplexities and turbulent impulses of a boy's heart1 and give him cheerful companionship1 and lead him on by free and joyful ways to know and choose the things that are pure and lovely and of good report1 make as fair an image as we can find of that loving1 patient ,wisdom which must be above us all if any good is to come out of our childish race4 ,,henry ,,van ,,dyke4 ,by ,thy very name1 our ,father1 ,thou hast ennobled and sanctified the office of parenthood and attracted to it our respect and love4 ,thou hast commanded us to honor father and mother1 that our days may be lengthened4 ,assured thus of ,thy approval1 ,o ,god1 we call upon ,thee to hallow our joy and gratitude on this anniversary day4 ,we thank ,thee for him whom we honor as ,father in the flesh and pray ,thee to grant him yet many days with health and strength to minister and to be ministered unto1 to grow in grace and in favor with ,god and man1 and to taste the sweet tributes of love and the rewards of good deeds finely done4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,,ellwood ,,nash4 ,a ,mother's ,birthday ,blessings on the hand of woman6 ,angels guard her strength and grace2 ,in the cottage1 palace1 hovel1-- ,o6 no matter where the place4 ,would that never storms assailed it1 ,rainbows ever gently curled2 ,for the hand that rocks the cradle ,is the hand that rules the world4 ,blessings on the hand of woman6 ,fathers1 sons and daughters cry2 ,and the sacred song is mingled ,with the worship in the sky1-- ,mingles where no tempest darkens1 ,rainbows evermore are curled2 ,for the hand that rocks the cradle ,is the hand that rules the world4 ,,john ,,gray4 ,heavenly ,father1 ,thou plantest anew ,thine own love in the hearts of ,thy children and so multipliest ,thyself on the earth4 ,we thank ,thee today for the manifold incarnation of ,thyself in the hearts of all true mothers4 ,we have known the magic charm of mother love and it relates us anew to ,thee4 ,here we celebrate the birthday of one who has honored us and blessed us by a sacred ministry4 ,we thank ,thee1 our ,father1 for all the sweet memories of the past1 for all the joy of the present relation with her1 and for the hope that these sacred associations may long continue4 ,wilt ,thou bless her whose birthday we honor here4 ,crown her with long life and happy days and the sweet consciousness of having ministered in love4 ,amen4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,general ,birthday ,birthdays1 what are they8 ,one will say they are mileposts on the highway of life1 marking the distance already traveled and suggesting what yet remains of the journey4 ,another looking into the deeper meaning of the years will suggest that they are memorial tablets recording the service of a passing life4 ,but no matter under what figure you think of them1 the coming into this world of a human life with all the magic powers of thought and love and faith and service is a thing of such transcendent moment1 as to make it well worth while to mark the passing of the years4 ,,george ,l4 ,,perin4 ,father of all1 it is ,thou who hast made us and given us all things richly to enjoy2 we thank ,thee1 therefore1 for the birthday to which we have come4 ,we thank ,thee for the physical life1 and all that makes it glad2 for the power of intellect1 and all the wealth it feeds upon2 for love1 and all the forms of love which answer to it2 for faith which looks on ,thee and heaven2 for service1 the exercise and opportunity of every gift and grace4 ,help us to be faithful that our felicity may be secure in ,thee1 and that we may ever recall the day of our birth with rejoicing4 ,this we ask in ,jesus' name4 ,amen4 ,,charles ,r4 ,,tenney4 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's note3 ,minor typographical errors and inconsistencies have been corrected without comment4 ,unmatched quotation marks were left as they were in the original4 page #gf1 ,march #ad3 ,and grass in the green fields changed to field4