,,daily ,,strength ,,for ,,daily ,,needs ,by ,mary ,wilder ,tileston ,selected by the ,editor of ,joy and ,strength for the ,pilgrim's ,day1 ,quiet ,hours1 etc4 ,as thy days1 so shall thy strength be ,,preface ,this little book of brief selections in prose and verse1 with accompanying texts of ,scripture1 is intended for a daily companion and counsellor4 ,these words of the goodly fellowship of wise and holy men of many times1 it is hoped may help to strengthen the reader to perform the duties and to bear the burdens of each day with cheerfulness and courage4 ,,mary ,,wilder ,,tileston4 ,january #a ,they go from strength to strength4--,,ps4 lxxxiv4 #g4 ,first the blade1 then the ear1 after that the full corn in the ear4--,,mark4 iv4 #bh4 ,build thee more stately mansions1 ,o my soul1 ,as the swift seasons roll6 ,leave thy low-vaulted past6 ,let each new temple1 nobler than the last1 ,shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast1 ,till thou at length art free1 ,leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea6 ,o4 ,w4 ,,holmes4 ,high hearts are never long without hearing some new call1 some distant clarion of ,god1 even in their dreams2 and soon they are observed to break up the camp of ease1 and start on some fresh march of faithful service4 ,and1 looking higher still1 we find those who never wait till their moral work accumulates1 and who reward resolution with no rest2 with whom1 therefore1 the alternation is instantaneous and constant2 who do the good only to see the better1 and see the better only to achieve it2 who are too meek for transport1 too faithful for remorse1 too earnest for repose2 whose worship is action1 and whose action ceaseless aspiration4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,january #b ,the ,lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth1 and even for evermore4--,,ps4 cxxi4 #h4 ,lord1 ,thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations4--,,ps4 xc4 #a4 ,with grateful hearts the past we own2 ,the future1 all to us unknown1 ,we to ,thy guardian care commit1 ,and peaceful leave before ,thy feet4 ,p4 ,,doddridge4 ,we are like to ,him with whom there is no past or future1 with whom a day is as a thousand years1 and a thousand years as one day1 when we do our work in the great present1 leaving both past and future to ,him to whom they are ever present1 and fearing nothing1 because ,he is in our future as much as ,he is in our past1 as much as1 and far more than we can feel ,him to be1 in our present4 ,partakers thus of the divine nature1 resting in that perfect ,all-in-all in whom our nature is eternal too1 we walk without fear1 full of hope and courage and strength to do ,his will1 waiting for the endless good which ,he is always giving as fast as ,he can get us able to take it in4 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,january #c ,as thy days1 so shall thy strength be4--,,deut4 xxxiii4 #be4 ,sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof4--,,matt4 vi4 #cd4 ,oh1 ask not thou1 ,how shall ,i bear ,the burden of to-morrow8 ,sufficient for to-day1 its care1 ,its evil and its sorrow2 ,god imparteth by the way ,strength sufficient for the day4 ,j4 ,e4 ,,saxby4 ,he that hath so many causes of joy1 and so great1 is very much in love with sorrow and peevishness1 who loses all these pleasures1 and chooses to sit down upon his little handful of thorns4 ,enjoy the blessings of this day1 if ,god sends them2 and the evils of it bear patiently and sweetly3 for this day only is ours1 we are dead to yesterday1 and we are not yet born to the morrow4 ,but if we look abroad1 and bring into one day's thoughts the evil of many1 certain and uncertain1 what will be and what will never be1 our load will be as intolerable as it is unreasonable4 ,,jeremy ,,taylor4 ,january #d ,if we sin1 we are ,thine1 knowing ,thy power3 but--we will not sin1 knowing that we are counted ,thine4 ,for to know ,thee is perfect righteousness3 yea1 to know ,thy power is the root of immortality4--,,wisdom ,,of ,,solomon xv4 #b1 #c4 ,oh1 empty us of self1 the world1 and sin1 ,and then in all ,thy fulness enter in2 ,take full possession1 ,lord1 and let each thought ,into obedience unto ,thee be brought2 ,thine is the power1 and ,thine the will1 that we ,be wholly sanctified1 ,o ,lord1 to ,thee4 ,c4 ,e4 ,j4 ,take steadily some one sin1 which seems to stand out before thee1 to root it out1 by ,god's grace1 and every fibre of it4 ,purpose strongly1 by the grace and strength of ,god1 wholly to sacrifice this sin or sinful inclination to the love of ,god1 to spare it not1 until thou leave of it none remaining1 neither root nor branch4 ,fix1 by ,god's help1 not only to root out this sin1 but to set thyself to gain1 by that same help1 the opposite grace4 ,if thou art tempted to be angry1 try hard1 by ,god's grace1 to be very meek2 if to be proud1 seek to be very humble4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,january #e ,that ,he might present it to ,himself a glorious church1 not having spot1 or wrinkle1 or any such thing2 but that it should be holy and without blemish4--,,eph4 v4 #bg4 ,ye also1 as lively stones1 are built up a spiritual house4--,i ,,peter ii4 #e4 ,one holy ,church of ,god appears ,through every age and race1 ,unwasted by the lapse of years1 ,unchanged by changing place4 ,s4 ,,longfellow4 ,a temple there has been upon earth1 a spiritual ,temple1 made up of living stones2 a ,temple1 as ,i may say1 composed of souls2 a ,temple with ,god for its light1 and ,christ for the high priest2 with wings of angels for its arches1 with saints and teachers for its pillars1 and with worshippers for its pavement4 ,wherever there is faith and love1 this ,temple is4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,to whatever worlds ,he carries our souls when they shall pass out of these imprisoning bodies1 in those worlds these souls of ours shall find themselves part of the same great ,temple2 for it belongs not to this earth alone4 ,there can be no end of the universe where ,god is1 to which that growing ,temple does not reach1--the ,temple of a creation to be wrought at last into a perfect utterance of ,god by a perfect obedience to ,god4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,january #f ,in all ages entering into holy souls1 she ,wisdom maketh them friends of ,god1 and prophets4--,,wisdom ,,of ,,solomon vii4 #bg4 ,meanwhile with every son and saint of ,thine ,along the glorious line1 ,sitting by turns beneath ,thy sacred feet ,we 'll hold communion sweet1 ,know them by look and voice1 and thank them all ,for helping us in thrall1 ,for words of hope1 and bright examples given ,to shew through moonless skies that there is light in heaven4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,if we cannot live at once and alone with ,him1 we may at least live with those who have lived with ,him2 and find1 in our admiring love for their purity1 their truth1 their goodness1 an intercession with ,his pity on our behalf4 ,to study the lives1 to meditate the sorrows1 to commune with the thoughts1 of the great and holy men and women of this rich world1 is a sacred discipline1 which deserves at least to rank as the forecourt of the temple of true worship1 and may train the tastes1 ere we pass the very gate1 of heaven4 ,we forfeit the chief source of dignity and sweetness in life1 next to the direct communion with ,god1 if we do not seek converse with the greater minds that have left their vestiges on the world4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,do not think it wasted time to submit yourself to any influence which may bring upon you any noble feeling4 ,j4 ,,ruskin4 ,january #g ,the exceeding greatness of ,his power to us-ward who believe1 according to the working of ,his mighty power4--,,eph4 i4 #ai4 ,the lives which seem so poor1 so low1 ,the hearts which are so cramped and dull1 ,the baffled hopes1 the impulse slow1 ,thou takest1 touchest all1 and lo6 ,they blossom to the beautiful4 ,,susan ,,coolidge4 ,a root set in the finest soil1 in the best climate1 and blessed with all that sun and air and rain can do for it1 is not in so sure a way of its growth to perfection1 as every man may be1 whose spirit aspires after all that which ,god is ready and infinitely desirous to give him4 ,for the sun meets not the springing bud that stretches towards him with half that certainty1 as ,god1 the source of all good1 communicates ,himself to the soul that longs to partake of ,him4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,if we stand in the openings of the present moment1 with all the length and breadth of our faculties unselfishly adjusted to what it reveals1 we are in the best condition to receive what ,god is always ready to communicate4 ,t4 ,c4 ,,upham4 ,january #h ,as we have therefore opportunity1 let us do good unto all men4--,,gal4 vi4 #aj4 ,let brotherly love continue4--,,heb4 xiii4 #a4 ,i ,ask ,thee for a thoughtful love1 ,through constant watching wise1 ,to meet the glad with joyful smiles1 ,and to wipe the weeping eyes1 ,and a heart at leisure from itself1 ,to soothe and sympathize4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,surely none are so full of cares1 or so poor in gifts1 that to them also1 waiting patiently and trustfully on ,god for ,his daily commands1 ,he will not give direct ministry for ,him1 increasing according to their strength and their desire4 ,there is so much to be set right in the world1 there are so many to be led and helped and comforted1 that we must continually come in contact with such in our daily life4 ,let us only take care1 that1 by the glance being turned inward1 or strained onward1 or lost in vacant reverie1 we do not miss our turn of service1 and pass by those to whom we might have been sent on an errand straight from ,god4 ,,elizabeth ,,charles4 ,look up and not down2 look forward and not back2 look out and not in2 and lend a hand4 ,,edward ,e4 ,,hale4 ,january #i ,and in every work that be began in the service of the house of ,god1 and in the law1 and in the commandments1 to seek his ,god1 he did it with all his heart1 and prospered4--#b ,,chron4 xxxi4 #ba4 ,what1 shall we do1 that we might work the works of ,god8--,,john vi4 #bh4 ,give me within the work which calls to-day1 ,to see ,thy finger gently beckoning on2 ,so struggle grows to freedom1 work to play1 ,and toils begun from ,thee to ,thee are done4 ,j4 ,f4 ,,clarke4 ,god is a kind ,father4 ,he sets us all in the places where ,he wishes us to be employed2 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 enough1 and sense enough1 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 ,him1 if we are not happy ourselves4 ,j4 ,,ruskin4 ,january #aj ,because ,thy loving-kindness is better than life1 my lips shall praise ,thee4--,,ps4 lxiii4 #c4 ,whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it2 and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it4--,,luke xvii4 #cc4 ,o ,lord6 my best desires fulfil1 ,and help me to resign ,life1 health1 and comfort1 to ,thy will1 ,and make ,thy pleasure mine4 ,,wm4 ,,cowper4 ,what do our heavy hearts prove but that other things are sweeter to us than ,his will1 that we have not attained to the full mastery of our true freedom1 the full perception of its power1 that our sonship is yet but faintly realized1 and its blessedness not yet proved and known8 ,our consent would turn all our trials into obedience4 ,by consenting we make them our own1 and offer them with ourselves again to ,him4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,nothing is intolerable that is necessary4 ,now ,god hath bound thy trouble upon thee1 with a design to try thee1 and with purposes to reward and crown thee4 ,these cords thou canst not break2 and therefore lie thou down gently1 and suffer the hand of ,god to do what ,he please4 ,,jeremy ,,taylor4 ,january #aa ,i will be glad1 and rejoice in ,thy mercy3 for ,thou hast considered my trouble2 ,thou hast known my soul in adversities4--,,ps4 xxxi4 #g4 ,nay1 all by ,thee is ordered1 chosen1 planned2 ,each drop that fills my daily cup ,thy hand ,prescribes1 for ills none else can understand3 ,all1 all is known to ,thee4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,newton4 ,god knows us through and through4 ,not the most secret thought1 which we most hide from ourselves1 is hidden from ,him4 ,as then we come to know ourselves through and through1 we come to see ourselves more as ,god sees us1 and then we catch some little glimpse of ,his designs with us1 how each ordering of ,his ,providence1 each check to our desires1 each failure of our hopes1 is just fitted for us1 and for something in our own spiritual state1 which others know not of1 and which1 till then1 we knew not4 ,until we come to this knowledge1 we must take all in faith1 believing1 though we know not1 the goodness of ,god towards us4 ,as we know ourselves1 we1 thus far1 know ,god4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,january #ab ,let the words of my mouth1 and the meditation of my heart1 be acceptable in ,thy sight1 ,o ,lord1 my strength1 and my redeemer4--,,ps4 xix4 #ad4 ,the thoughts that in our hearts keep place1 ,lord1 make a holy1 heavenly throng1 ,and steep in innocence and grace ,the issue of each guarded tongue4 ,t4 ,h4 ,,gill4 ,there is another kind of silence to be cultivated1 besides that of the tongue as regards others4 ,i mean silence as regards one's self1--restraining the imagination1 not permitting it to dwell overmuch on what we have heard or said1 not indulging in the phantasmagoria of picture-thoughts1 whether of the past or future4 ,be sure that you have made no small progress in the spiritual life1 when you can control your imagination1 so as to fix it on the duty and occupation actually existing1 to the exclusion of the crowd of thoughts which are perpetually sweeping across the mind4 ,no doubt1 you cannot prevent those thoughts from arising1 but you can prevent yourself from dwelling on them2 you can put them aside1 you can check the self-complacency1 or irritation1 or earthly longings which feed them1 and by the practice of such control of your thoughts you will attain that spirit of inward silence which draws the soul into a close intercourse with ,god4 ,,jean ,n4 ,,grou4 ,january #ac ,speak not evil one of another1 brethren4--,,james iv4 #aa4 ,let all bitterness1 and wrath1 and anger1 and clamor1 and evil speaking1 be put away from you1 with all malice4--,,eph4 iv4 #ca4 ,if aught good thou canst not say ,of thy brother1 foe1 or friend1 ,take thou1 then1 the silent way1 ,lest in word thou shouldst offend4 ,,anon4 ,if there is any person to whom you feel dislike1 that is the person of whom you ought never to speak4 ,r4 ,,cecil4 ,to recognize with delight all high and generous and beautiful actions2 to find a joy even in seeing the good qualities of your bitterest opponents1 and to admire those qualities even in those with whom you have least sympathy1 this is the only spirit which can heal the love of slander and of calumny4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,january #ad ,thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint4--#b ,,sam4 xv4 #ae4 ,i love to think that ,god appoints ,my portion day by day2 ,events of life are in ,his hand1 ,and ,i would only say1 ,appoint them in ,thine own good time1 ,and in ,thine own best way4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,if we are really1 and always1 and equally ready to do whatsoever the ,king appoints1 all the trials and vexations arising from any change in ,his appointments1 great or small1 simply do not exist4 ,if ,he appoints me to work there1 shall ,i lament that ,i am not to work here8 ,if ,he appoints me to wait in-doors to-day1 am ,i to be annoyed because ,i am not to work out-of-doors8 ,if ,i meant to write ,his messages this morning1 shall ,i grumble because ,he sends interrupting visitors1 rich or poor1 to whom ,i am to speak them1 or show kindness for ,his sake1 or at least obey ,his command1 ,be courteous8 ,if all my members are really at ,his disposal1 why should ,i be put out if to-day's appointment is some simple work for my hands or errands for my feet1 instead of some seemingly more important doing of head or tongue8 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,january #ae ,for this is the will of ,god1 even your sanctification4--,i ,,thess4 iv4 #c4 ,between us and ,thyself remove ,whatever hindrances may be1 ,that so our inmost heart may prove ,a holy temple1 meet for ,thee4 ,,latin ,,mss4 ,,of #ae,,th ,,century4 ,bear1 in the presence of ,god1 to know thyself4 ,then seek to know for what ,god sent thee into the world2 how thou hast fulfilled it2 art thou yet what ,god willed thee to be2 what yet lacketh unto thee2 what is ,god's will for thee now2 what thing thou mayest now do1 by ,his grace1 to obtain ,his favor1 and approve thyself unto ,him4 ,say to ,him1 ,teach me to do ,thy will1 for ,thou art my ,god1 and ,he will say unto thy soul1 ,fear not2 ,i am thy salvation4 ,he will speak peace unto thy soul2 ,he will set thee in the way2 ,he will bear thee above things of sense1 and praise of man1 and things which perish in thy grasp1 and give thee1 if but afar off1 some glimpse of ,his own1 unfading1 unsetting1 unperishing brightness and bliss and love4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,january #af ,now our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,himself1 and ,god1 even our ,father1 which hath loved us1 and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace1 comfort your hearts1 and stablish you in every good word and work4--#b ,,thess4 ii4 #af1 #ag4 ,when sorrow all our heart would ask1 ,we need not shun our daily task1 ,and hide ourselves for calm2 ,the herbs we seek to heal our woe ,familiar by our pathway grow1 ,our common air is balm4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,oh1 when we turn away from some duty or some fellow-creature1 saying that our hearts are too sick and sore with some great yearning of our own1 we may often sever the line on which a divine message was coming to us4 ,we shut out the man1 and we shut out the angel who had sent him on to open the door4 ,there is a plan working in our lives2 and if we keep our hearts quiet and our eyes open1 it all works together2 and1 if we don't1 it all rights together1 and goes on fighting till it comes right1 somehow1 somewhere4 ,,annie ,,keary4 ,january #ag ,beloved1 think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you1 as though some strange thing happened unto you3 but rejoice1 inasmuch as ye are partakers of ,christ's sufferings4--,i ,,peter iv4 #ab1 #ac4 ,we take with solemn thankfulness ,our burden up1 nor ask it less1 ,and count it joy that even we ,may suffer1 serve1 or wait for ,thee1 ,whose will be done6 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,receive every inward and outward trouble1 every disappointment1 pain1 uneasiness1 temptation1 darkness1 and desolation1 with both thy hands1 as a true opportunity and blessed occasion of dying to self1 and entering into a fuller fellowship with thy self-denying1 suffering ,saviour4 ,look at no inward or outward trouble in any other view2 reject every other thought about it2 and then every kind of trial and distress will become the blessed day of thy prosperity4 ,that state is best1 which exerciseth the highest faith in1 and fullest resignation to ,god4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,january #ah ,thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the ,lord thy ,god hath given unto thee4--,,deut4 ,,xxvi4 #aa4 ,rejoice evermore4 ,in everything give thanks4--,i ,,thess4 v4 #af1 #ah4 ,grave on thy heart each past red-letter day6 ,forget not all the sunshine of the way ,by which the ,lord hath led thee2 answered prayers1 ,and joys unasked1 strange blessings1 lifted cares1 ,grand promise-echoes6 ,thus thy life shall be ,one record of ,his love and faithfulness to thee4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,gratitude consists in a watchful1 minute attention to the particulars of our state1 and to the multitude of ,god's gifts1 taken one by one4 ,it fills us with a consciousness that ,god loves and cares for us1 even to the least event and smallest need of life4 ,it is a blessed thought1 that from our childhood ,god has been laying ,his fatherly hands upon us1 and always in benediction2 that even the strokes of ,his hands are blessings1 and among the chiefest we have ever received4 ,when this feeling is awakened1 the heart beats with a pulse of thankfulness4 ,every gift has its return of praise4 ,it awakens an unceasing daily converse with our ,father1--,he speaking to us by the descent of blessings1 we to ,him by the ascent of thanksgiving4 ,and all our whole life is thereby drawn under the light of ,his countenance1 and is filled with a gladness1 serenity1 and peace which only thankful hearts can know4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,january #ai ,let the heart of them rejoice that seek the ,lord4--,,ps4 cv4 #c4 ,the joy of the ,lord is your strength4--,,neh4 viii4 #aj4 ,be ,thou my ,sun1 my selfishness destroy1 ,thy atmosphere of ,love be all my joy2 ,thy ,presence be my sunshine ever bright1 ,my soul the little mote that lives but in ,thy light4 ,,gerhard ,,tersteegen4 ,i do not know when ,i have had happier times in my soul1 than when ,i have been sitting at work1 with nothing before me but a candle and a white cloth1 and hearing no sound but that of my own breath1 with ,god in my soul and heaven in my eye444 ,i rejoice in being exactly what ,i am1--a creature capable of loving ,god1 and who1 as long as ,god lives1 must be happy4 ,i get up and look for a while out of the window1 and gaze at the moon and stars1 the work of an ,almighty hand4 ,i think of the grandeur of the universe1 and then sit down1 and think myself one of the happiest beings in it4 ,a ,,poor ,,methodist ,,woman1 #ah,,th ,,century4 ,january #bj ,the ,lord taketh pleasure ,in ,his people3 ,he will beautify the meek with salvation4--,,ps4 cxlix4 #d4 ,long listening to ,thy words1 ,my voice shall catch ,thy tone1 ,and1 locked in ,thine1 my hand shall grow ,all loving like ,thy own4 ,b4 ,t4 ,it is not in words explicable1 with what divine lines and lights the exercise of godliness and charity will mould and gild the hardest and coldest countenance1 neither to what darkness their departure will consign the loveliest4 ,for there is not any virtue the exercise of which1 even momentarily1 will not impress a new fairness upon the features2 neither on them only1 but on the whole body the moral and intellectual faculties have operation1 for all the movements and gestures1 however slight1 are different in their modes according to the mind that governs them--and on the gentleness and decision of right feeling follows grace of actions1 and1 through continuance of this1 grace of form4 ,j4 ,,ruskin4 ,there is no beautifier of complexion1 or form1 or behavior1 like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,january #ba ,even the youths shall faint and be weary1 and the young men shall utterly fall3 but they that wait upon the ,lord shall renew their strength2 they shall mount up with wings as eagles2 they shall run1 and not be weary2 and they shall walk and not faint4--,,isa4 xl4 #cj1 #ca4 ,lord1 with what courage and delight ,i do each thing1 ,when ,thy least breath sustains my wing6 ,i shine and move ,like those above1 ,and1 with much gladness ,quitting sadness1 ,make me fair days of every night4 ,h4 ,,vaughan4 ,man1 by living wholly in submission to the ,divine ,influence1 becomes surrounded with1 and creates for himself1 internal pleasures infinitely greater than any he can otherwise attain to--a state of heavenly ,beatitude4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,greaves4 ,by persisting in a habit of self-denial1 we shall1 beyond what ,i can express1 increase the inward powers of the mind1 and shall produce that cheerfulness and greatness of spirit as will fit us for all good purposes2 and shall not have lost pleasure1 but changed it2 the soul being then filled with its own intrinsic pleasures4 ,,henry ,,more4 ,january #bb ,then shall we know1 if we follow on to know the ,lord4--,,hosea vi4 #c4 ,and1 as the path of duty is made plain1 ,may grace be given that ,i may walk therein1 ,not like the hireling1 for his selfish gain1 ,with backward glances and reluctant tread1 ,making a merit of his coward dread1-- ,but1 cheerful1 in the light around me thrown1 ,walking as one to pleasant service led2 ,doing ,god's will as if it were my own1 ,yet trusting not in mine1 but in ,his strength alone6 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,it is by doing our duty that we learn to do it4 ,so long as men dispute whether or no a thing is their duty1 they get never the nearer4 ,let them set ever so weakly about doing it1 and the face of things alters4 ,they find in themselves strength which they knew not of4 ,difficulties which it seemed to them they could not get over1 disappear4 ,for ,he accompanies it with the influences of ,his blessed ,spirit1 and each performance opens our minds for larger influxes of ,his grace1 and places them in communion with ,him4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,that which is called considering what is our duty in a particular case1 is very often nothing but endeavoring to explain it away4 ,,joseph ,,butler4 ,january #bc ,if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry1 and satisfy the afflicted soul2 then shall thy light rise in obscurity1 and thy darkness be as the noonday2 and the ,lord shall guide thee continually4--,,isa4 lviii4 #aj1 #aa4 ,if thou hast ,yesterday thy duty done1 ,and thereby cleared firm footing for ,to-day1 ,whatever clouds make dark ,to-morrow's sun1 ,thou shall not miss thy solitary way4 ,j4 ,w4 ,,von ,,goethe4 ,o ,lord1 who art our ,guide even unto death1 grant us1 ,i pray ,thee1 grace to follow ,thee whithersoever ,thou goest4 ,in little daily duties to which ,thou callest us1 bow down our wills to simple obedience1 patience under pain or provocation1 strict truthfulness of word and manner1 humility1 kindness2 in great acts of duty or perfection1 if ,thou shouldest call us to them1 uplift us to self-sacrifice1 heroic courage1 laying down of life for ,thy truth's sake1 or for a brother4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,g4 ,,rossetti4 ,january #bd ,i will bless the ,lord1 who bath given me counsel4--,,ps4 xvi4 #g4 ,not slothful in business2 fervent in spirit2 serving the ,lord4--,,rom4 xii4 #aa4 ,mine be the reverent1 listening love ,that waits all day on ,thee1 ,with the service of a watchful heart ,which no one else can see4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,nothing is small or great in ,god's sight2 whatever ,he wills becomes great to us1 however seemingly trifling1 and if once the voice of conscience tells us that ,he requires anything of us1 we have no right to measure its importance4 ,on the other hand1 whatever ,he would not have us do1 however important we may think it1 is as nought to us4 ,how do you know what you may lose by neglecting this duty1 which you think so trifling1 or the blessing which its faithful performance may bring8 ,be sure that if you do your very best in that which is laid upon you daily1 you will not be left without sufficient help when some weightier occasion arises4 ,give yourself to ,him1 trust ,him1 fix your eye upon ,him1 listen to ,his voice1 and then go on bravely and cheerfully4 ,,jean ,,nicolas ,,grou4 ,january #be ,if ye know these things1 happy are ye if ye do them4--,,john xiii4 #ag4 ,therefore to him that knoweth to do good1 and doeth it not1 to him it is sin4--,,james iv4 #ag4 ,we cannot kindle when we will ,the fire that in the heart resides1 ,the spirit bloweth and is still1 ,in mystery our soul abides3 ,but tasks in hours of insight willed ,can be through hours of gloom fulfilled4 ,,matthew ,,arnold4 ,hurt not your conscience with any known sin4 ,s4 ,,rutherford4 ,deep-rooted customs1 though wrong1 are not easily altered2 but it is the duty of all to be firm in that which they certainly know is right for them4 ,,john ,,woolman4 ,he often acts unjustly who does not do a certain thing2 not only he who does a certain thing4 ,,marcus ,,antoninus4 ,every duty we omit obscures some truth we should have known4 ,,john ,,ruskin4 ,january #bf ,o the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of ,god6 how unsearchable are ,his judgments1 and ,his--ways past finding out6--,,rom4 xi4 #cc4 ,it doth not yet appear what we shall be4--,i ,,john iii4 #b4 ,no star is ever lost we once have seen1 ,we always may be what we might have been4 ,since ,good1 though only thought1 has life and breath1 ,god's life--can always be redeemed from death2 ,and evil1 in its nature1 is decay1 ,and any hour can blot it all away2 ,the hopes that lost in some far distance seem1 ,may be the truer life1 and this the dream4 ,a4 ,a4 ,,procter4 ,st4 ,bernard has said3 ,man1 if thou desirest a noble and holy life1 and unceasingly prayest to ,god for it1 if thou continue constant in this thy desire1 it will be granted unto thee without fail1 even if only in the day or hour of thy death2 and if ,god should not give it to thee then1 thou shalt find it in ,him in eternity3 of this be assured4 ,therefore do not relinquish your desire1 though it be not fulfilled immediately1 or though ye may swerve from your aspirations1 or even forget them for a time4444 ,the love and aspiration which once really existed live forever before ,god1 and in ,him ye shall find the fruit thereof2 that is1 to all eternity it shall be better for you than if you had never felt them4 ,j4 ,,tauler4 ,january #bg ,for thus saith the high and lofty ,one that inhabiteth eternity1 whose name is ,holy2 ,i dwell in the high and holy place1 with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit1 to revive the spirit of the humble1 and to revive the heart of the contrite ones4--,,isa4 lvii4 #ae4 ,without an end or bound ,thy life lies all outspread in light2 ,our lives feel ,thy life all around1 ,making our weakness strong1 our darkness bright2 ,yet is it neither wilderness nor sea1 ,but the calm gladness of a full eternity4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,o truth who art ,eternity6 ,and ,love who art ,truth6 ,and ,eternity who art ,love6 ,thou art my ,god1 to ,thee do ,i sigh night and day4 ,when ,i first knew ,thee1 ,thou liftedst me up1 that ,i might see there was somewhat for me to see1 and that ,i was not yet such as to see4 ,and ,thou streaming forth ,thy beams of light upon me most strongly1 didst beat back the weakness of my sight1 and ,i trembled with love and awe3 and ,i perceived myself to be far off from ,thee in the region of unlikeness4 ,,st4 ,,augustine4 ,january #bh ,o fear the ,lord1 ye ,his saints3 for there is no want to them that fear ,him--,,ps4 xxxiv4 #i4 ,thou openest ,thine hand1 and satisfies the desire of every living thing4--,,ps4 cxlv4 #af4 ,what ,thou shalt to-day provide1 ,let me as a child receive2 ,what to-morrow may betide1 ,calmly to ,thy wisdom leave4 ',tis enough that ,thou wilt care2 ,why should ,i the burden bear8 ,j4 ,,newton4 ,have we found that anxiety about possible consequences increased the clearness of our judgment1 made us wiser and braver in meeting the present1 and arming ourselves for the future8 ,if we had prayed for this day's bread1 and left the next to itself1 if we had not huddled our days together1 not allotting to each its appointed task1 but ever deferring that to the future1 and drawing upon the future for its own troubles1 which must be met when they come whether we have anticipated them or not1 we should have found a simplicity and honesty in our lives1 a capacity for work1 an enjoyment in it1 to which we are now1 for the most part1 strangers4 ,f4 ,d4 ,,maurice4 ,january #bi ,i the ,lord will hold thy right hand1 saying unto thee1 ,fear not2 ,i will help thee4--,,isa4 xli4 #ac4 ,show ,thy marvellous loving-kindness1 ,o ,thou that savest by ,thy right hand them which put their trust in ,thee4--,,ps4 xvii4 #g4 ,take ,thy hand1 and fears grow still2 ,behold ,thy face1 and doubts remove2 ,who would not yield his wavering will ,to perfect ,truth and boundless ,love8 ,s4 ,,johnson4 ,do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear2 rather look to them with full hope that1 as they arise1 ,god1 whose you are1 will deliver you out of them4 ,he has kept you hitherto1--do you but hold fast to ,his dear hand1 and ,he will lead you safely through all things2 and1 when you cannot stand1 ,he will bear you in ,his arms4 ,do not look forward to what may happen to-morrow2 the same everlasting ,father who cares for you to-day1 will take care of you to-morrow1 and every day4 ,either he will shield you from suffering1 or ,he will give you unfailing strength to bear it4 ,be at peace then1 and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,january #cj ,if ,i take the wings of the morning1 and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea3 even there shall ,thy hand lead me1 and ,thy right hand shall hold me4--,,ps4 cxxxix4 #i1 #aj4 ,i cannot lose ,thee6 ,still in ,thee abiding1 ,the end is clear1 how wide soe'er ,i roam2 ,the ,hand that holds the worlds my steps is guiding1 ,and ,i must rest at last in ,thee1 my home4 ,e4 ,,scudder4 ,how can we come to perceive this direct leading of ,god8 ,by a careful looking at home1 and abiding2 within the gates of thy own soul4 ,therefore1 let a man be at home in his own heart1 and cease from his restless chase of and search after outward things4 ,if he is thus at home while on earth1 he will surely come to see what there is to do at home1--what ,god commands him inwardly without means1 and also outwardly by the help of means2 and then let him surrender himself1 and follow ,god along whatever path his loving ,lord thinks fit to lead him3 whether it be to contemplation or action1 to usefulness or enjoyment2 whether in sorrow or in joy1 let him follow on4 ,and if ,god do not give him thus to feel ,his hand in all things1 let him still simply yield himself up1 and go without1 for ,god's sake1 out of love1 and still press forward4 ,j4 ,,tauler4 ,january #ca ,in all thy ways acknowledge ,him1 and ,he shall direct thy paths4--,,prov4 iii4 #f4 ,he leadeth me4--,,ps4 xxiii4 #b4 ,in pastures green8 ,not always2 sometimes ,he ,who knoweth best1 in kindness leadeth me ,in weary ways1 where heavy shadows be4 ,so1 whether on the hill-tops high and fair ,i dwell1 or in the sunless valleys1 where ,the shadows lie1 what matter8 ,he is there4 ,,henry ,h4 ,,barry4 ,the ,shepherd knows what pastures are best for his sheep1 and they must not question nor doubt1 but trustingly follow ,him4 ,perhaps ,he sees that the best pastures for some of us are to be found in the midst of opposition or of earthly trials4 ,if ,he leads you there1 you may be sure they are green for you1 and you will grow and be made strong by feeding there4 ,perhaps ,he sees that the best waters for you to walk beside will be raging waves of trouble and sorrow4 ,if this should be the case1 ,he will make them still waters for you1 and you must go and lie down beside them1 and let them have all their blessed influences upon you4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,february #a ,now the ,god of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another1 according to ,christ ,jesus4--,,rom4 xv4 #e4 ,let patience have her perfect work4--,,james i4 #d4 ,make me patient1 kind1 and gentle1 ,day by day2 ,teach me how to live more nearly ,as ,i pray4 ,,sharpe',s ,,magazine4 ,the exercise of patience involves a continual practice of the presence of ,god2 for we may be come upon at any moment for an almost heroic display of good temper1 and it is a short road to unselfishness1 for nothing is left to self2 all that seems to belong most intimately to self1 to be self's private property1 such as time1 home1 and rest1 are invaded by these continual trials of patience4 ,the family is full of such opportunities4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,only as we know what it is to cherish love when sore at some unkindness1 to overmaster ourselves when under provocation1 to preserve gentleness during trial and unmerited wrong1--only then can we know in any degree the manner of spirit that was in ,christ4 ,t4 ,t4 ,,carter4 ,february #b ,now we exhort you1 brethren1 warn them that are unruly1 comfort the feeble-minded1 support the weak1 be patient toward all men4--,i ,,thess4 v4 #ad4 ,the little worries which we meet each day ,may lie as stumbling-blocks across our way1 ,or we may make them stepping-stones to be ,of grace1 ,o ,lord1 to ,thee4 ,a4 ,e4 ,,hamiliton4 ,we must be continually sacrificing our own wills1 as opportunity serves1 to the will of others2 bearing1 without notice1 sights and sounds that annoy us2 setting about this or that task1 when we had far rather be doing something very different2 persevering in it1 often1 when we are thoroughly tired of it2 keeping company for duty's sake1 when it would be a great joy to us to be by ourselves2 besides all the trifling untoward accidents of life2 bodily pain and weakness long continued1 and perplexing us often when it does not amount to illness2 losing what we value1 missing what we desire2 disappointment in other persons1 wilfulness1 unkindness1 ingratitude1 folly1 in cases where we least expect it4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,february #c ,search me1 ,o ,god1 and know my heart3 try me1 and know my thoughts3 and see if there be any wicked way in me1 and lead me in the way everlasting4--,,ps4 cxxxix4 #bc1 #bd4 ,save us from the evil tongue1 ,from the heart that thinketh wrong1 ,from the sins1 whate'er they be1 ,that divide the soul from ,thee4 ,,anon4 ,such as are thy habitual thoughts1 such also will be the character of thy mind2 for the soul is dyed by the thoughts4 ,dye it then with a continuous series of such thoughts as these3 for instance1 that where a man can live1 there he can also live well4 ,but he must live in a palace3 well1 then1 he can also live well in a palace4 ,,marcus ,,antoninus4 ,who is there that sets himself to the task of steadily watching his thoughts for the space of one hour1 with the view of preserving his mind in a simple1 humble1 healthful condition1 but will speedily discern in the multiform1 self-reflecting1 self-admiring emotions1 which1 like locusts1 are ready to eat up every green thing in his land1 a state as much opposed to simplicity and humility as night is to day8 ,m4 ,a4 ,,kelty4 ,february #d ,if any man offend not in word1 the same is a perfect man1 and able also to bridle the whole body4--,,james iii4 #b ,set a watch1 ,o ,lord1 before my mouth2 keep the door of my lips4--,,ps4 cxli4 #c4 ,what6 never speak one evil word1 ,or rash1 or idle1 or unkind6 ,oh1 how shall ,i1 most gracious ,lord1 ,this mark of true perfection find8 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,when we remember our temptations to give quick indulgence to disappointment or irritation or unsympathizing weariness1 and how hard a thing it is from day to day to meet our fellow-men1 our neighbors1 or even our own households1 in all moods1 in all discordances between the world without us and the frames within1 in all states of health1 of solicitude1 of preoccupation1 and show no signs of impatience1 ungentleness1 or unobservant self-absorption1--with only kindly feeling finding expression1 and ungenial feeling at least inwardly imprisoned2--we shall be ready to acknowledge that the man who has thus attained is master of himself1 and in the graciousness of his power is fashioned upon the style of a ,perfect ,man4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,february #e ,blessed are they that keep judgment1 and he that doeth righteousness at all times4--,,ps4 cvi4 #c4 ,thou shalt be stedfast1 and shalt not fear3 because thou shalt forget thy misery1 and remember it as waters that pass away4--,,job xi4 #ae1 #af4 ,in the bitter waves of woe1 ,beaten and tossed about ,by the sullen winds that blow ,from the desolate shores of doubt1 ,where the anchors that faith has cast ,are dragging in the gale1 ,i am quietly holding fast ,to the things that cannot fail4 ,,washington ,,gladden4 ,in the darkest hour through which a human soul can pass1 whatever else is doubtful1 this at least is certain4 ,if there be no ,god and no future state1 yet even then1 it is better to be generous than selfish1 better to be chaste than licentious1 better to be true than false1 better to be brave than to be a coward4 ,blessed beyond all earthly blessedness is the man who1 in the tempestuous darkness of the soul1 has dared to hold fast to these venerable landmarks4 ,thrice blessed is he1 who1 when all is drear and cheerless within and without1 when his teachers terrify him1 and his friends shrink from him1 has obstinately clung to moral good4 ,thrice blessed1 because his night shall pass into clear1 bright day4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,february #f ,whoso putteth his trust in the ,lord shall be safe4--,,prov4 xxix4 #be4 ,i will cry unto ,god most high2 unto ,god1 that performeth all things for me4--,,ps4 lvii4 #b4 ,only thy restless heart keep still1 ,and wait in cheerful hope2 content ,to take whate'er ,his gracious will1 ,his all-discerning love hath sent2 ,nor doubt our inmost wants are known ,to ,him who chose us for ,his own4 ,g4 ,,neumark4 ,god has brought us into this time2 ,he1 and not ourselves or some dark demon4 ,if we are not fit to cope with that which ,he has prepared for us1 we should have been utterly unfit for any condition that we imagine for ourselves4 ,in this time we are to live and wrestle1 and in no other4 ,let us humbly1 tremblingly1 manfully look at it1 and we shall not wish that the sun could go back its ten degrees1 or that we could go back with it4 ,if easy times are departed1 it is that the difficult times may make us more in earnest2 that they may teach us not to depend upon ourselves4 ,if easy belief is impossible1 it is that we may learn what belief is1 and in whom it is to be placed4 ,f4 ,d4 ,,maurice4 ,february #g ,obey my voice1 and ,i will be your ,god1 and ye shall be my people3 and walk ye in all the ways that ,i have commanded you1 that it may be well unto you4--,,jer4 vii4 #bc4 ,and oft1 when in my heart was heard ,thy timely mandate1 ,i deferred ,the task1 in smoother walks to stray2 ,but thee ,i now would serve more strictly1 if ,i may4 ,w4 ,,wordsworth4 ,pray ,him to give you what ,scripture calls an honest and good heart1 or a perfect heart2 and1 without waiting1 begin at once to obey ,him with the best heart you have4 ,any obedience is better than none4 ,you have to seek ,his face2 obedience is the only way of seeing ,him4 ,all your duties are obediences4 ,to do what ,he bids is to obey ,him1 and to obey ,him is to approach ,him4 ,every act of obedience is an approach--an approach to ,him who is not far off1 though ,he seems so1 but close behind this visible screen of things which hides ,him from us4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,as soon as we lay ourselves entirely at ,his feet1 we have enough light given us to guide our own steps2 as the foot-soldier1 who hears nothing of the councils that determine the course of the great battle he is in1 hears plainly enough the word of command which he must himself obey4 ,,george ,,eliot4 ,february #h ,he leadeth me beside the still waters4 ,he restoreth my soul3 ,he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for ,his name's sake4--,,ps4 xxiii4 #b1 #c4 ,he leads me where the waters glide1 ,the waters soft and still1 ,and homeward ,he will gently guide ,my wandering heart and will4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,out of obedience and devotion arises an habitual faith1 which makes ,him1 though unseen1 a part of all our life4 ,he will guide us in a sure path1 though it be a rough one3 though shadows hang upon it1 yet ,he will be with us4 ,he will bring us home at last4 ,through much trial it may be1 and weariness1 in much fear and fainting of heart1 in much sadness and loneliness1 in griefs that the world never knows1 and under burdens that the nearest never suspect4 ,yet ,he will suffice for all4 ,by ,his eye or by ,his voice ,he will guide us1 if we be docile and gentle2 by ,his staff and by ,his rod1 if we wander or are wilful3 any how1 and by all means1 ,he will bring us to ,his rest4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,february #i ,i was afraid1 and went and hid thy talent in the earth3 lo1 there thou hast that is thine4--,,matt4 xxv4 #be4 ,time was1 ,i shrank from what was right1 ,from fear of what was wrong2 ,i would not brave the sacred fight1 ,because the foe was strong4 ,but now ,i cast that finer sense ,and sorer shame aside2 ,such dread of sin was indolence1 ,such aim at heaven was pride4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,if he falls into some error1 he does not fret over it1 but rising up with a humble spirit1 he goes on his way anew rejoicing4 ,were he to fall a hundred times in the day1 he would not despair1--he would rather cry out lovingly to ,god1 appealing to ,his tender pity4 ,the really devout man has a horror of evil1 but he has a still greater love of that which is good2 he is more set on doing what is right1 than avoiding what is wrong4 ,generous1 large-hearted1 he is not afraid of danger in serving ,god1 and would rather run the risk of doing ,his will imperfectly than not strive to serve ,him lest he fail in the attempt4 ,,jean ,,nicolas ,,grou4 ,february #aj ,we have waited for ,him1 and ,he will save us3 this is the ,lord2 we have waited for ,him1 we will be glad and rejoice in ,his salvation4--,,isa4 xxv4 #i4 ,blest are the humble souls that wait ,with sweet submission to ,his will2 ,harmonious all their passions move1 ,and in the midst of storms are still4 ,p4 ,,doddridge4 ,do not be discouraged at your faults2 bear with yourself in correcting them1 as you would with your neighbor4 ,lay aside this ardor of mind1 which exhausts your body1 and leads you to commit errors4 ,accustom yourself gradually to carry prayer into all your daily occupations4 ,speak1 move1 work1 in peace1 as if you were in prayer1 as indeed you ought to be4 ,do everything without excitement1 by the spirit of grace4 ,as soon as you perceive your natural impetuosity gliding in1 retire quietly within1 where is the kingdom of ,god4 ,listen to the leadings of grace1 then say and do nothing but what the ,holy ,spirit shall put in your heart4 ,you will find that you will become more tranquil1 that your words will be fewer and more effectual1 and that1 with less effort1 you will accomplish more good4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,february #aa ,i have finished the work which ,thou gavest me to do4--,,john xvii4 #d4 ,she hath done what she could4--,,mark xiv4 #h4 ,he who ,god's will has borne and done1 ,and his own restless longings stilled1 ,what else he does1 or has foregone1 ,his mission he has well fulfilled4 ,,from ,,the ,,german4 ,cheered by the presence of ,god1 ,i will do at each moment1 without anxiety1 according to the strength which ,he shall give me1 the work that ,his ,providence assigns me4 ,i will leave the rest without concern2 it is not my affair4 ,i ought to consider the duty to which ,i am called each day1 as the work that ,god has given me to do1 and to apply myself to it in a manner worthy of ,his glory1 that is to say1 with exactness and in peace4 ,i must neglect nothing2 ,i must be violent about nothing4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,it is thy duty oftentimes to do what thou wouldst not2 thy duty1 too1 to leave undone what thou wouldst do4 ,,thomas ,,kempis4 ,february #ab ,blessed be the ,lord1 who daily loadeth us with benefits4--,,ps4 lxviii4 #ai4 ,nor trust in uncertain riches1 but in the living ,god1 who giveth us richly all things to enjoy4--,i ,,tim4 vi4 #ag4 ,source of my life's refreshing springs1 ,whose presence in my heart sustains me1 ,thy love ordains me pleasant things1 ,thy mercy orders all that pains me4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,and to be true1 and speak my soul1 when ,i survey the occurrences of my life1 and call into account the finger of ,god1 ,i can perceive nothing but an abyss and mass of mercies1 either in general to mankind1 or in particular to myself2 and whether out of the prejudice of my affection1 or an inverting and partial conceit of ,his mercies1 ,i know not2 but those which others term crosses1 afflictions1 judgments1 misfortunes1 to me who inquire farther into them than their visible effects1 they both appear1 and in event have ever proved1 the secret and dissembled favors of ,his affection4 ,,sir ,t4 ,,browne4 ,february #ac ,let ,him do to me as seemeth good unto ,him4--#b ,,sam4 xv4 #bf4 ,to have1 each day1 the thing ,i wish1 ,lord1 that seems best to me2 ,but not to have the thing ,i wish1 ,lord1 that seems best to ,thee4 ,most truly1 then1 ,thy will is done1 ,when mine1 ,o ,lord1 is crossed2 ,it is good to see my plans o'erthrown1 ,my ways in ,thine all lost4 ,h4 ,,bonar4 ,o ,lord1 ,thou knowest what is best for us2 let this or that be done1 as ,thou shalt please4 ,give what ,thou wilt1 and how much ,thou wilt1 and when ,thou wilt4 ,deal with me as ,thou thinkest good4 ,set me where ,thou wilt1 and deal with me in all things just as ,thou wilt4 ,behold1 ,i am ,thy servant1 prepared for all things3 for ,i desire not to live unto myself1 but unto ,thee2 and oh1 that ,i could do it worthily and perfectly6 ,,thomas ,,kempis4 ,dare to look up to ,god1 and say1 ,make use of me for the future as ,thou wilt4 ,i am of the same mind2 ,i am one with ,thee4 ,i refuse nothing which seems good to ,thee4 ,lead me whither ,thou wilt1 clothe me in whatever dress ,thou wilt4 ,is it ,thy will that ,i should be in a public or a private condition1 dwell here1 or be banished1 be poor or rich8 ,under all these circumstances1 ,i will testify unto ,thee before men4 ,,epictetus4 ,february #ad ,i would have you without carefulness4--,i ,,cor4 vii4 #cb4 ,o ,lord1 how happy should we be ,if we could cast our care on ,thee1 ,if we from self could rest2 ,and feel at heart that ,one above1 ,in perfect wisdom1 perfect love1 ,is working for the best4 ,j4 ,,anstice4 ,cast all thy care on ,god4 ,see that all thy cares be such as thou canst cast on ,god1 and then hold none back4 ,never brood over thyself2 never stop short in thyself2 but cast thy whole self1 even this very care which distresseth thee1 upon ,god4 ,be not anxious about little things1 if thou wouldst learn to trust ,god with thine all4 ,act upon faith in little things2 commit thy daily cares and anxieties to ,him2 and ,he will strengthen thy faith for any greater trials4 ,rather1 give thy whole self into ,god's hands1 and so trust ,him to take care of thee in all lesser things1 as being ,his1 for ,his own sake1 whose thou art4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,february #ae ,if ye fulfil the royal law according to the ,scripture1 ,thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself1 ye do well4--,,james ii4 #h4 ,come1 children1 let us go6 ,we travel hand in hand2 ,each in his brother finds his joy ,in this wild stranger land4 ,the strong be quick to raise ,the weaker when they fall2 ,let love and peace and patience bloom ,in ready help for all4 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,it is a sad weakness in us1 after all1 that the thought of a man's death hallows him anew to us2 as if life were not sacred too1--as if it were comparatively a light thing to fail in love and reverence to the brother who has to climb the whole toilsome steep with us1 and all our tears and tenderness were due to the one who is spared that hard journey4 ,,george ,,eliot4 ,would we codify the laws that should reign in households1 and whose daily transgression annoys and mortifies us1 and degrades our household life1--we must learn to adorn every day with sacrifices4 ,good manners are made up of petty sacrifices4 ,temperance1 courage1 love1 are made up of the same jewels4 ,listen to every prompting of honor4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,february #af ,serve ,him with a perfect heart1 and with a willing mind4--,i ,,chron4 xxviii4 #i4 ,and if some things ,i do not ask1 ,in my cup of blessing be1 ,i would have my spirit filled the more ,with grateful love to ,thee1-- ,more careful1--not to serve ,thee much1 ,but to please ,thee perfectly4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,little things come daily1 hourly1 within our reach1 and they are not less calculated to set forward our growth in holiness1 than are the greater occasions which occur but rarely4 ,moreover1 fidelity in trifles1 and an earnest seeking to please ,god in little matters1 is a test of real devotion and love4 ,let your aim be to please our dear ,lord perfectly in little things1 and to attain a spirit of childlike simplicity and dependence4 ,in proportion as self-love and self-confidence are weakened1 and our will bowed to that of ,god1 so will hindrances disappear1 the internal troubles and contests which harassed the soul vanish1 and it will be filled with peace and tranquillity4 ,,jean ,,nicolas ,,grou4 ,february #ag ,my brethren1 count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations or trials1 knowing this1 that the trying of your faith worketh patience4--,,james i4 #b1 #c4 ,for patience1 when the rough winds blow6 ,for patience1 when our hopes are fading1-- ,when visible things all backward go1 ,and nowhere seems the power of aiding6 ,god still enfolds thee with ,his viewless hand1 ,and leads thee surely to the ,fatherland4 ,n4 ,l4 ,,frothingham1 from the ,german4 ,we have need of patience with ourselves and with others2 with those below1 and those above us1 and with our own equals2 with those who love us and those who love us not2 for the greatest things and for the least2 against sudden inroads of trouble1 and under our daily burdens2 disappointments as to the weather1 or the breaking of the heart2 in the weariness of the body1 or the wearing of the soul2 in our own failure of duty1 or others' failure toward us2 in every-day wants1 or in the aching of sickness or the decay of age2 in disappointment1 bereavement1 losses1 injuries1 reproaches2 in heaviness of the heart2 or its sickness amid delayed hopes4 ,in all these things1 from childhood's little troubles to the martyr's sufferings1 patience is the grace of ,god1 whereby we endure evil for the love of ,god4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,february #ah ,it is good for me that ,i have been afflicted2 that ,i might learn ,thy statutes4--,,ps4 cxix4 #ga4 ,but though ,he cause grief yet will ,he have compassion1 according to the multitude of ,his mercies4--,,lam4 iii4 #cb4 ,and yet these days of dreariness are sent us from above2 ,they do not come in anger1 but in faithfulness and love2 ,they come to teach us lessons which bright ones could not yield1 ,and to leave us blest and thankful when their purpose is fulfilled4 ,,anon4 ,heed not distressing thoughts when they rise ever so strongly in thee2 nay1 though they have entered thee1 fear them not1 but be still awhile1 not believing in the power which thou feelest they have over thee1 and it will fall on a sudden4 ,it is good for thy spirit1 and greatly to thy advantage1 to be much and variously exercised by the ,lord4 ,thou dost not know what the ,lord hath already done1 and what ,he is yet doing for thee therein4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,why should ,i start at the plough of my ,lord1 that maketh deep furrows on my soul8 ,i know ,he is no idle husbandman1 ,he purposeth a crop4 ,s4 ,,rutherford4 ,february #ai ,my meat is to do the will of ,him that sent me and to finish ,his work4--,,john iv4 #cd4 ,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 ,j4 ,,ingelow4 ,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 you1 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 is1 if one can do that8 ,that is the sure and steady disconnection and extinction of whatsoever miseries one has in this world4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,february #bj ,let us not therefore judge one another any more3 but judge this rather1 that no man put a stumbling-block1 or an occasion to fall1 in his brother's way4--,,rom4 xiv4 #ac4 ,them that were entering in1 ye hindered4--,,luke xi4 #eb4 ,my mind was ruffled with small cares to-day1 ,and ,i said pettish words1 and did not keep ,long-suffering patience well1 and now how deep ,my trouble for this sin6 in vain ,i weep ,for foolish words ,i never can unsay4 ,h4 ,s4 ,,sutton4 ,a vexation arises1 and our expressions of impatience hinder others from taking it patiently4 ,disappointment1 ailment1 or even weather depresses us2 and our look or tone of depression hinders others from maintaining a cheerful and thankful spirit4 ,we say an unkind thing1 and another is hindered in learning the holy lesson of charity that thinketh no evil4 ,we say a provoking thing1 and our sister or brother is hindered in that day's effort to be meek4 ,how sadly1 too1 we may hinder without word or act6 ,for wrong feeling is more infectious than wrong doing2 especially the various phases of ill temper1--gloominess1 touchiness1 discontent1 irritability1--do we not know how catching these are8 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,february #ba ,if ye then1 being evil1 know bow to give good gifts unto your children1 bow much more shall your ,father which is in heaven give good gifts to them that ask ,him8--,,matt4 vii4 #aa4 ,for ,his great love has compassed ,our nature1 and our need ,we know not2 but ,he knoweth1 ,and ,he will bless indeed4 ,therefore1 ,o heavenly ,father1 ,give what is best to me2 ,and take the wants unanswered1 ,as offerings made to ,thee4 ,,anon4 ,whatsoever we ask which is not for our good1 ,he will keep it back from us4 ,and surely in this there is no less of love than in the granting what we desire as we ought4 ,will not the same love which prompts you to give a good1 prompt you to keep back an evil1 thing8 ,if1 in our blindness1 not knowing what to ask1 we pray for things which would turn in our hands to sorrow and death1 will not our ,father1 out of ,his very love1 deny us8 ,how awful would be our lot1 if our wishes should straightway pass into realities2 if we were endowed with a power to bring about all that we desire2 if the inclinations of our will were followed by fulfilment of our hasty wishes1 and sudden longings were always granted4 ,one day we shall bless ,him1 not more for what ,he has granted than for what ,he has denied4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,february #bb ,be careful for nothing2 but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto ,god4--,,phil4 iv4 #f4 ,we tell ,thee of our care1 ,of the sore burden1 pressing day by day1 ,and in the light and pity of ,thy face1 ,the burden melts away4 ,we breathe our secret wish1 ,the importunate longing which no man may see2 ,we ask it humbly1 or1 more restful still1 ,we leave it all to ,thee4 ,,susan ,,coolidge4 ,that prayer which does not succeed in moderating our wish1 in changing the passionate desire into still submission1 the anxious1 tumultuous expectation into silent surrender1 is no true prayer1 and proves that we have not the spirit of true prayer4 ,that life is most holy in which there is least of petition and desire1 and most of waiting upon ,god2 that in which petition most often passes into thanksgiving4 ,pray till prayer makes you forget your own wish1 and leave it or merge it in ,god's will4 ,the ,divine wisdom has given us prayer1 not as a means whereby to obtain the good things of earth1 but as a means whereby we learn to do without them2 not as a means whereby we escape evil1 but as a means whereby we become strong to meet it4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,february #bc ,let the ,lord do that which is good in ,his sight4--,i ,,chron4 xix4 #ac4 ,let ,thy mercy ,o ,lord1 be upon us1 according as we hope in ,thee4--,,ps4 ,,xxxiii4 #bb4 ,i cannot feel ,that all is well1 when darkening clouds conceal ,the shining sun2 ,but then1 ,i know ,he lives and loves2 and say1 since it is so1 ,thy will be done4 ,s4 ,g4 ,,browning4 ,no felt evil or defect becomes divine until it is inevitable2 and only when resistence to it is exhausted and hope has fled1 does surrender cease to be premature4 ,the hardness of our task lies here2 that we have to strive against the grievous things of life1 while hope remains1 as if they were evil2 and then1 when the stroke has fallen1 to accept them from the hand of ,god1 and doubt not they are good4 ,but to the loving1 trusting heart1 all things are possible2 and even this instant change1 from overstrained will to sorrowful repose1 from fullest resistance to complete surrender is realized without convulsion4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,february #bd ,these things ,i have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace4 ,in the world ye shall have tribulation3 but be of good cheer2 ,i have overcome the world4--,,john xvi4 #cc4 ,o ,thou1 the primal fount of life and peace1 ,who shedd'st ,thy breathing quiet all around1 ,in me command that pain and conflict cease1 ,and turn to music every jarring sound4 ,j4 ,,sterling4 ,accustom yourself to unreasonableness and injustice4 ,abide in peace in the presence of ,god1 who sees all these evils more clearly than you do1 and who permits them4 ,be content with doing with calmness the little which depends upon yourself1 and let all else be to you as if it were not4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,it is rare when injustice1 or slights patiently borne1 do not leave the heart at the close of the day filled with marvellous joy and peace4 ,,gold ,,dust4 ,february #be ,but now thus saith the ,lord that created thee1 ,o ,jacob1 and ,he that formed thee1 ,o ,israel1 ,fear not3 for ,i have redeemed thee1 ,i have called thee by thy name2 thou art mine4--,,isa4 xliii4 ,i4 ,thou art as much ,his care as if beside ,nor man nor angel lived in heaven or earth2 ,thus sunbeams pour alike their glorious tide1 ,to light up worlds1 or wake an insect's mirth4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,god beholds thee individually1 whoever thou art4 ,he calls thee by thy name4 ,he sees thee1 and understands thee4 ,he knows what is in thee1 all thy own peculiar feelings and thoughts1 thy dispositions and likings1 thy strength and thy weakness4 ,he views thee in thy day of rejoicing and thy day of sorrow4 ,he sympathizes in thy hopes and in thy temptations2 ,he interests himself in all thy anxieties and thy remembrances1 in all the risings and fallings of thy spirit4 ,he compasses thee round1 and bears thee in ,his arms2 ,he takes thee up and sets thee down4 ,thou dost not love thyself better than ,he loves thee4 ,thou canst not shrink from pain more than ,he dislikes thy bearing it1 and if ,he puts it on thee1 it is as thou wilt put it on thyself1 if thou art wise1 for a greater good afterwards4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,february #bf ,the ,lord is nigh unto all them that call upon ,him1 to all that call upon ,him in truth4--,,ps4 cxlv4 #ah4 ,i sought the ,lord1 and ,he heard me1 and delivered me from all my fears4--,,ps4 xxxiv4 #d4 ,be ,thou1 ,o ,rock of ,ages1 nigh6 ,so shall each murmuring thought be gone2 ,and grief and fear and care shall fly1 ,as clouds before the mid-day sun4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,take courage1 and turn your troubles1 which are without remedy1 into material for spiritual progress4 ,often turn to our ,lord1 who is watching you1 poor frail little being as you are1 amid your labors and distractions4 ,he sends you help1 and blesses your affliction4 ,this thought should enable you to bear your troubles patiently and gently1 for love of ,him who only allows you to be tried for your own good4 ,raise your heart continually to ,god1 seek ,his aid1 and let the foundation stone of your consolation be your happiness in being ,his4 ,all vexations and annoyances will be comparatively unimportant while you know that you have such a ,friend1 such a ,stay1 such a ,refuge4 ,may ,god be ever in your heart4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,february #bg ,trust in the ,lord1 and do good2 so shalt thou dwell in the land1 and verily thou shalt be fed4--,,ps4 xxxvii4 #c4 ,build a little fence of trust ,around to-day2 ,fill the space with loving work1 ,and therein stay2 ,look not through the sheltering bars ,upon to-morrow1 ,god will help thee bear what comes1 ,of joy or sorrow4 ,,mary ,,franves ,,butts4 ,let us bow our souls and say1 ,behold the handmaid of the ,lord6 ,let us lift up our hearts and ask1 ,lord1 what wouldst thou have me to do8 ,then light from the opened heaven shall stream on our daily task1 revealing the grains of gold1 where yesterday all seemed dust2 a hand shall sustain us and our daily burden1 so that1 smiling at yesterday's fears1 we shall say1 ,this is easy1 this is light2 every lion in the way1 as we come up to it1 shall be seen chained1 and leave open the gates of the ,palace ,beautiful2 and to us1 even to us1 feeble and fluctuating as we are1 ministries shall be assigned1 and through our hands blessings shall be conveyed in which the spirits of just men made perfect might delight4 ,,elizabeth ,,charles4 ,february #bh ,beloved1 let us love one another3 for love is of ,god2 and every one that loveth is born of ,god1 and knoweth ,god4--,i ,,john iv4 #g4 ,so to the calmly gathered thought ,the innermost of life is taught1 ,the mystery dimly understood1 ,that love of ,god is love of good2 ,that to be saved is only this1-- ,salvation from our selfishness4 ,j4 ,g4 ,whittler4 ,the ,spirit of ,love1 wherever it is1 is its own blessing and happiness1 because it is the truth and reality of ,god in the soul2 and therefore is in the same joy of life1 and is the same good to itself everywhere and on every occasion4 ,would you know the blessing of all blessings8 ,it is this ,god of ,love dwelling in your soul1 and killing every root of bitterness1 which is the pain and torment of every earthly1 selfish love4 ,for all wants are satisfied1 all disorders of nature are removed1 no life is any longer a burden1 every day is a day of peace1 everything you meet becomes a help to you1 because everything you see or do is all done in the sweet1 gentle element of ,love4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,february #bi ,unto you that fear my name shall the ,sun of ,righteousness arise with healing in his wings4--,,mal4 iv4 #b4 ,o send out ,thy light and ,thy truth3 let them lead me4--,,ps4 xliii4 #c4 ,open our eyes1 thou ,sun of life and gladness1 ,that we may see that glorious world of ,thine6 ,it shines for us in vain1 while drooping sadness ,enfolds us here like mist2 come1 ,power benign1 ,touch our chilled hearts with vernal smile1 ,our wintry course do ,thou beguile1 ,nor by the wayside ruins let us mourn1 ,who have th' eternal towers for our appointed bourn4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,because all those scattered rays of beauty and loveliness which we behold spread up and down over all the world1 are only the emanations of that inexhausted light which is above2 therefore should we love them all in that1 and climb up always by those sunbeams unto the eternal ,father of lights3 we should look upon ,him1 and take from ,him the pattern of our lives1 and always eying ,him1 should1 as ,hierocles speaks1 polish and shape our souls into the clearest resemblance of ,him2 and in all our behavior in this world 7that great temple of ,his7 deport ourselves decently and reverently1 with that humility1 meekness1 and modesty that becomes ,his house4 ,,dr4 ,,john ,,smith4 ,march #a ,take no thought for your life1 what ye shall eat1 or what ye shall drink2 nor yet for your body1 what ye shall put on4--,,matt4 vi4 #be4 ,one there lives whose guardian eye ,guides our earthly destiny2 ,one there lives1 who1 ,lord of all1 ,keeps ,his children lest they fall2 ,pass we1 then1 in love and praise1 ,trusting ,him through all our days1 ,free from doubt and faithless sorrow1-- ,god provideth for the morrow4 ,r4 ,,heber4 ,it has been well said that no man ever sank under the burden of the day4 ,it is when to-morrow's burden is added to the burden of to-day that the weight is more than a man can bear4 ,never load yourselves so1 my friends4 ,if you find yourselves so loaded1 at least remember this3 it is your own doing1 not ,god's4 ,he begs you to leave the future to ,him1 and mind the present4 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,cast thy burdens upon the ,lord1--hand it over1 heave it upon ,him1--and ,he shall sustain thee2 shall bear both1 if thou trust ,him with both1 both thee and thy burden3 ,he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved4 ,,robert ,,leighton4 ,march #b ,but to do good and to communicate forget not3 for with such sacrifices ,god is well pleased4--,,heb4 xiii4 #af4 ,for this is the message that ye heard from the beginning1 that we should love one another4--,i ,,john iii4 #aa4 ,be useful where thou livest1 that they may ,both want and wish thy pleasing presence still4 444,find out men's wants and will1 ,and meet them there4 ,all worldly joys go less ,to the one joy of doing kindnesses4 ,g4 ,,herbert4 ,let the weakest1 let the humblest remember1 that in his daily course he can1 if he will1 shed around him almost a heaven4 ,kindly words1 sympathizing attentions1 watchfulness against wounding men's sensitiveness1--these cost very little1 but they are priceless in their value4 ,are they not almost the staple of our daily happiness8 ,from hour to hour1 from moment to moment1 we are supported1 blest1 by small kindnesses4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,small kindnesses1 small courtesies1 small considerations1 habitually practised in our social intercourse1 give a greater charm to the character than the display of great talents and accomplishments4 ,m4 ,a4 ,,kelty4 ,march #c ,i made haste1 and delayed not to keep ,thy commandments4--,,ps4 cxix4 #fj4 ,ye know not what shall be on the morrow4--,,james iv4 #ad4 ,never delay ,to do the duty which the hour brings1 ,whether it be in great or smaller things2 ,for who doth know ,what he shall do the coming day8 ,,anon4 ,it is quite impossible that an idle1 floating spirit can ever look up with clear eye to ,god2 spreading its miserable anarchy before the symmetry of the creative ,mind2 in the midst of a disorderly being1 that has neither centre nor circumference1 kneeling beneath the glorious sky1 that everywhere has both2 and for a life that is all failure1 turning to the ,lord of the silent stars1 of whose punctual thought it is1 that not one faileth4 ,the heavens1 with their everlasting faithfulness1 look down on no sadder contradiction1 than the sluggard and the slattern in their prayers4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,march #d ,but the souls of the righteous are in the hand of ,god1 and there shall no torment touch them4 ,in the sight of the unwise they seemed to die3 and their departure is taken for misery1 and their going from us to be utter destruction3 but they are in peace4--,,wisdom ,,of ,,solomon iii4 #a-c4 ,but souls that of ,his own good life partake1 ,he loves as ,his own self2 dear as ,his eye ,they are to ,him3 ,he 'll never them forsake3 ,when they shall die1 then ,god ,himself shall die2 ,they live1 they live in blest eternity4 ,,henry ,,more4 ,though every good man is not so logically subtile as to be able by fit mediums to demonstrate his own immortality1 yet he sees it in a higher light3 his soul1 being purged and enlightened by true sanctity1 is more capable of those divine irradiations1 whereby it feels itself in conjunction with ,god4 ,it knows that ,god will never forsake ,his own life which ,he hath quickened in it2 ,he will never deny those ardent desires of a blissful fruition of ,himself1 which the lively sense of ,his own goodness hath excited within it3 those breathings and gaspings after an eternal participation of ,him are but the energy of ,his own breath within us2 if ,he had had any mind to destroy it1 ,he would never have shown it such things as ,he hath done4 ,,dr4 ,,john ,,smith4 ,march #e ,and every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself1 even as ,he is pure4--,i ,,john iii4 #c4 ,now1 ,lord1 what wait ,i for8 ,on ,thee alone ,my hope is all rested1-- ,lord1 seal me ,thine own6 ,only ,thine own to be1 ,only to live to ,thee4 ,thine1 with each day begun1 ,thine1 with each set of sun1 ,thine1 till my work is done4 ,,anna ,,warner4 ,now1 believe me1 ,god hides some ideal in every human soul4 ,at 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 wife1 or mother4 ,here is ,god1--,god standing silently at the door all day long1--,god whispering to the soul1 that to be pure and true is to succeed in life1 and whatever we get short of that will burn up like stubble1 though the whole world try to save it4 ,,robert ,,collyer4 ,march #f ,the shadow of a great rock in a weary land4--,,isa4 xxxii4 #b4 ,in returning and rest shall ye be saved2 in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength4--,,isa4 xxx4 #ae4 ,o ,shadow in a sultry land6 ,we gather to ,thy breast1 ,whose love1 enfolding like the night1 ,brings quietude and rest1 ,glimpse of the fairer life to be1 ,in foretaste here possessed4 ,c4 ,m4 ,,packard4 ,strive to see ,god in all things without exception1 and-acquiesce in ,his will with absolute submission4 ,do everything for ,god1 uniting yourself to ,him by a mere upward glance1 or by the overflowing of your heart towards ,him4 ,never be in a hurry2 do everything quietly and in a calm spirit4 ,do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever1 even if your whole world seems upset4 ,commend all to ,god1 and then lie still and be at rest in ,his bosom4 ,whatever happens1 abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to ,god1 trusting to ,his eternal love for you2 and if you find that you have wandered forth from this shelter1 recall your heart quietly and simply4 ,maintain a holy simplicity of mind1 and do not smother yourself with a host of cares1 wishes1 or longings1 under any pretext4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,march #g ,there are diversities of operations1 but it is the same ,god which worketh all in all4--,i ,,cor4 xii4 #f4 ,i form the light1 and create darkness3 ,i make peace1 and create evil3 ,i the ,lord do all these things4--,,isa4 xlv4 #g4 ,all is of ,god that is1 and is to be2 ,and ,god is good4 ,let this suffice us still1 ,resting in childlike trust upon ,his will1 ,who moves to ,his great ends1 unthwarted by the ill4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,this1 then1 is of faith1 that everything1 the very least1 or what seems to us great1 every change of the seasons1 everything which touches us in mind1 body1 or estate1 whether brought about through this outward senseless nature1 or by the will of man1 good or bad1 is overruled to each of us by the all-holy and all-loving will of ,god4 ,whatever befalls us1 however it befalls us1 we must receive as the will of ,god4 ,if it befalls us through man's negligence1 or ill-will1 or anger1 still it is1 in every the least circumstance1 to us the will of ,god4 ,for if the least thing could happen to us without ,god's permission1 it would be something out of ,god's control4 ,god's providence or ,his love would not be what they are4 ,almighty ,god ,himself would not be the same ,god2 not the ,god whom we believe1 adore1 and love4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,march #h ,study to show thyself approved unto ,god1 a workman that needeth not to be ashamed4--#b ,,tim4 ii4 #ae4 ,and let us not be weary in well-doing3 for in due season we shall reap if we faint not4--,,gal4 vi4 #i4 ,the task ,thy wisdom hath assigned1 ,oh1 let me cheerfully fulfil2 ,in all my works ,thy presence find1 ,and prove ,thine acceptable will4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,what is my next duty8 ,what is the thing that lies nearest to me8 ,that belongs to your every-day history4 ,no one can answer that question but yourself4 ,your next duty is just to determine what your next duty is4 ,is there nothing you neglect8 ,is there nothing you know you ought not to do8 ,you would know your duty1 if you thought in earnest about it1 and were not ambitious of great things4 ,ah1 then1 responded she1 ,i suppose it is something very commonplace1 which will make life more dreary than ever4 ,that cannot help me4 ,it will1 if it be as dreary as reading the newspapers to an old deaf aunt4 ,it will soon lead you to something more4 ,your duty will begin to comfort you at once1 but will at length open the unknown fountain of life in your heart4 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,march #i ,thou shalt rejoice before the ,lord thy ,god in all that thou puttest thine hands unto4--,,deut4 xii4 #ah4 ,be ye thankful4--,,col4 iii4 #ae4 ,thou that hast given so much to me1 ,give one thing more1 a grateful heart4 ,not thankful when it pleaseth me1 ,as if thy blessings had spare days2 ,but such a heart1 whose pulse may be ,thy praise4 ,g4 ,,herbert4 ,if any one would tell you the shortest1 surest way to all happiness and all perfection1 he must tell you to make it a rule to yourself to thank and praise ,god for everything that happens to you4 ,for it is certain that whatever seeming calamity happens to you1 if you thank and praise ,god for it1 you turn it into a blessing4 ,could you1 therefore1 work miracles1 you could not do more for yourself than by this thankful spirit2 for it heals with a word speaking1 and turns all that it touches into happiness4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,march #aj ,when thou passest through the waters1 ,i will be with thee2 and through the rivers1 they shall not overflow thee3 when thou walkest through the fire1 thou shalt not be burned2 neither shall the flame kindle upon thee4--,,isa4 xliii4 #b4 ,i am with thee to deliver thee4--,,jer4 i4 #h4 ,when through the deep waters ,i call thee to go1 ,the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow2 ,for ,i will be with thee thy troubles to bless1 ,and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress4 ,,anon4 ,turn it as thou wilt1 thou must give thyself to suffer what is appointed thee4 ,but if we did that1 ,god would bear us up at all times in all our sorrows and troubles1 and ,god would lay ,his shoulder under our burdens1 and help us to bear them4 ,for if1 with a cheerful courage1 we submitted ourselves to ,god1 no suffering would be unbearable4 ,j4 ,,tauler4 ,learn to be as the angel1 who could descend among the miseries of ,bethesda without losing his heavenly purity or his perfect happiness4 ,gain healing from troubled waters4 ,make up your mind to the prospect of sustaining a certain measure of pain and trouble in your passage through life4 ,by the blessing of ,god this will prepare you for it2 it will make you thoughtful and resigned without interfering with your cheerfulness4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,march #aa ,cast thy burden upon the ,lord1 and ,he shall sustain thee3 ,he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved4--,,ps4 lv4 #bb4 ,now our wants and burdens leaving ,to ,his care who cares for all1 ,cease we fearing1 cease we grieving1 ,at ,his touch our burdens fall4 ,s4 ,,longfellow4 ,the circumstances of her life she could not alter1 but she took them to the ,lord1 and handed them over into ,his management2 and then she believed that ,he took it1 and she left all the responsibility and the worry and anxiety with ,him4 ,as often as the anxieties returned she took them back2 and the result was that1 although the circumstances remained unchanged1 her soul was kept in perfect peace in the midst of them4 ,and the secret she found so effectual in her outward affairs1 she found to be still more effectual in her inward ones1 which were in truth even more utterly unmanageable4 ,she abandoned her whole self to the ,lord1 with all that she was and all that she had2 and1 believing that ,he took that which she had committed to ,him1 she ceased to fret and worry1 and her life became all sunshine in the gladness of belonging to ,him4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,march #ab ,the ,lord bless thee1 and keep thee3 the ,lord make ,his face shine upon thee1 and be gracious unto thee3 the ,lord lift up ,his countenance upon thee1 and give thee peace4--,,num4 vi4 #bd-bf4 ,o ,love1 how cheering is ,thy ray6 ,all pain before ,thy presence flies2 ,care1 anguish1 sorrow1 melt away1 ,where'er ,thy healing beams arise4 ,o ,father1 nothing may ,i see1 ,nothing desire1 or seek1 but ,thee4 ,p4 ,,gerhardt4 ,there is a faith in ,god1 and a clear perception of ,his will and designs1 and providence1 and glory1 which gives to its possessor a confidence and patience and sweet composure1 under every varied and troubling aspect of events1 such as no man can realize who has not felt its influences in his own heart4 ,there is a communion with ,god1 in which the soul feels the presence of the unseen ,one1 in the profound depths of its being1 with a vivid distinctness and a holy reverence1 such as no words can describe4 ,there is a state of union with ,god1 ,i do not say often reached1 yet it has been attained in this world1 in which all the past and present and future seem reconciled1 and eternity is won and enjoyed2 and ,god and man1 earth and heaven1 with all their mysteries1 are apprehended in truth as they lie in the mind of the ,infinite4 ,,samuel ,d4 ,,robbins4 ,march #ac ,he that abideth in me1 and ,i in him1 bringeth forth much fruit4--,,john xv4 #e4 ,let the beauty of the ,lord our ,god be upon us4--,,ps4 xc4 #ag4 ,as some rare perfume in a vase of clay ,pervades it with a fragrance not its own1 ,so1 when ,thou dwellest in a mortal soul1 ,all ,heaven's own sweetness seems around it thrown4 ,h4 ,b4 ,,stowe4 ,some glances of real beauty may be seen in their faces1 who dwell in true meekness4 ,there is a harmony in the sound of that voice to which ,divine love gives utterance1 and some appearance of right order in their temper and conduct whose passions are regulated4 ,,john ,,woolman4 ,i believe that no ,divine truth can truly dwell in any heart1 without an external testimony in manner1 bearing1 and appearance1 that must reach the witness within the heart of the beholder1 and bear an unmistakable1 though silent1 evidence to the eternal principle from which it emanates4 ,m4 ,a4 ,,schimmelpenninck4 ,march #ad ,i have called upon ,thee1 for ,thou wilt hear me1 ,o ,god3 incline ,thine ear unto me1 and hear my speech4--,,ps4 xvii4 #f4 ,ye people1 pour out your heart before ,him3 ,god is a refuge for us4--,,ps4 lxii4 #h4 ,whate'er the care which breaks thy rest1 ,whate'er the wish that swells thy breast2 ,spread before ,god that wish1 that care1 ,and change anxiety to prayer4 ,,jane ,,crewdson4 ,trouble and perplexity drive us to prayer1 and prayer driveth away trouble and perplexity4 ,p4 ,,melancthon4 ,whatsoever it is that presses thee1 go tell thy ,father2 put over the matter into ,his hand1 and so thou shalt be freed from that dividing1 perplexing care that the world is full of4 ,when thou art either to do or suffer anything1 when thou art about any purpose or business1 go tell ,god of it1 and acquaint ,him with it2 yea1 burden ,him with it1 and thou hast done for matter of caring2 no more care1 but quiet1 sweet diligence in thy duty1 and dependence on ,him for the carriage of thy matters4 ,roll thy cares1 and thyself with them1 as one burden1 all on thy ,god4 ,r4 ,,leighton4 ,march #ae ,hear me1 ,o ,lord4 for ,thy loving-kindness is good3 turn unto me according to the multitude of ,thy tender mercies4--,,ps4 lxix4 #af4 ,let1 ,i pray ,thee1 ,thy merciful kindness be for my comfort1 according to ,thy word unto ,thy servant4--,,ps4 cxix4 #gf4 ,love divine has seen and counted ,every tear it caused to fall2 ,and the storm which ,love appointed ,was its choicest gift of all4 ,,anon4 ,o that thou couldst dwell in the knowledge and sense of this6 even1 that the ,lord beholds thy sufferings with an eye of pity2 and is able1 not only to uphold thee under them1 but also to do thee good by them4 ,therefore1 grieve not at thy lot1 be not discontented1 look not out at the hardness of thy condition2 but1 when the storm and matters of vexation are sharp1 look up to ,him who can give meekness and patience1 can lift up thy head over all1 and cause thy life to grow1 and be a gainer by all4 ,if the ,lord ,god help thee proportionably to thy condition of affliction and distress1 thou wilt have no cause to complain1 but to bless ,his name4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,march #af ,whether therefore ye eat1 or drink1 or whatsoever ye do1 do all to the glory of ,god4--,i ,,cor4 x4 #ca4 ,with good will doing service1 as to the ,lord1 and not unto men4--,,eph4 vi4 #g4 ,a ,servant1 with this clause1 ,makes drudgery divine3 ,who sweeps a room1 as for ,thy laws1 ,makes that and th' action fine4 ,g4 ,,herbert4 ,surely the truth must be1 that whatsoever in our daily life is lawful and right for us to be engaged in1 is in itself a part of our obedience to ,god2 a part1 that is1 of our very religion4 ,whensoever we hear people complaining of obstructions and hindrances put by the duties of life in the way of devoting themselves to ,god1 we may be sure they are under some false view or other4 ,they do not look upon their daily work as the task ,god has set them1 and as obedience due to ,him4 ,we may go farther2 and say1 not only that the duties of life1 be they never so toilsome and distracting1 are no obstructions to a life of any degree of inward holiness2 but that they are even direct means1 when rightly used1 to promote our sanctification4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,march #ag ,where hast thou gleaned to-day8--,,ruth ii4 #ai4 ,what have ,i learnt where'er ,i've been1 ,from all ,i've heard1 from all ,i've seen8 ,what know ,i more that's worth the knowing8 ,what have ,i done that's worth the doing8 ,what have ,i sought that ,i should shun8 ,what duties have ,i left undone8 ,,pythagoras4 ,all of this world will soon have passed away4 ,but ,god will remain1 and thou1 whatever thou hast become1 good or bad4 ,thy deeds now are the seed-corn of eternity4 ,each single act1 in each several day1 good or bad1 is a portion of that seed4 ,each day adds some line1 making thee more or less like ,him1 more or less capable of ,his love4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,there is something very solemn in the thought that that part of our work which we have left undone may first be revealed to us at the end of a life filled up1 as we had fondly hoped1 with useful and necessary employments4 ,,sarah ,w4 ,,stephen4 ,march #ah ,finally1 be ye all of one mind1 having compassion one of another1 love as brethren1 be pitiful1 be courteous4--,i ,,peter iii4 #h4 ,make us of one heart and mind2 ,courteous1 pitiful1 and kind2 ,lowly1 meek1 in thought and word1 ,altogether like our ,lord4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,a little thought will show you how vastly your own happiness depends on the way other people bear themselves toward you4 ,the looks and tones at your breakfast-table1 the conduct of your fellow-workers or employers1 the faithful or unreliable men you deal with1 what people say to you on the street1 the way your cook and housemaid do their work1 the letters you get1 the friends or foes you meet1--these things make up very much of the pleasure or misery of your day4 ,turn the idea around1 and remember that just so much are you adding to the pleasure or the misery of other people's days4 ,and this is the half of the matter which you can control4 ,whether any particular day shall bring to you more of happiness or of suffering is largely beyond your power to determine4 ,whether each day of your life shall give happiness or suffering rests with yourself4 ,,george ,s4 ,,merriam4 ,march #ai ,showing all good fidelity1 that they may adorn the doctrine of ,god our ,saviour in all things4--,,titus ii4 #aj4 ,if on our daily course our mind ,be set to hallow all we find1 ,new treasures still1 of countless price1 ,god will provide for sacrifice4 ,j4 ,,keble ,if content and thankfulness1 if the patient bearing of evil1 be duties to ,god1 they are the duties of every day1 and in every circumstance of our life4 ,if we are to follow ,christ1 it must be in our common way of spending every day4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,he who is faithful over a few things is a lord of cities4 ,it does not matter whether you preach in ,westminster ,abbey1 or teach a ragged class1 so you be faithful4 ,the faithfulness is all4 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,i would have you invoke ,god often through the day1 asking ,him to kindle a love for your vocation within you1 and saying with ,st4 ,paul1 ',lord1 what wouldst ,thou have me to do8' ,wouldst ,thou have me serve ,thee in the lowest ministries of ,thy house8 too happy if ,i may but serve ,thee anyhow4 ,and when any special thing is repugnant to you1 ask ,wouldst ,thou have me do it8 ,then1 unworthy though ,i be1 ,i will do it gladly4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,march #bj ,thou shalt worship the ,lord thy ,god1 and ,him only shalt thou serve4--,,matt4 iv4 #aj4 ,blessed are they that keep ,his testimonies1 and that seek ,him with the whole heart4--,,ps4 cxix4 #b4 ,the comfort of a mind at rest ,from every care ,thou hast not blest2 ,a heart from all the world set free1 ,to worship and to wait on ,thee4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,resign every forbidden joy2 restrain every wish that is not referred to ,his will2 banish all eager desires1 all anxiety4 ,desire only the will of ,god2 seek ,him alone1 and you will find peace4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,i've been a great deal happier since ,i have given up thinking about what is easy and pleasant1 and being discontented because ,i couldn't have my own will4 ,our life is determined for us2 and it makes the mind very free when we give up wishing1 and only think of bearing what is laid upon us1 and doing what is given us to do4 ,,george ,,eliot4 ,march #ba ,your heavenly ,father knoweth that ye have need of all these things4--,,matt4 vi4 #cb4 ,all as ,god wills1 who wisely heeds ,to give or to withhold2 ,and knoweth more of all my needs ,than all my prayers have told4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,lord1 ,i know not what ,i ought to ask of ,thee2 ,thou only knowest what ,i need2 ,thou lovest me better than ,i know how to love myself4 ,o ,father6 give to ,thy child that which he himself knows not how to ask4 ,i dare not ask either for crosses or consolations2 ,i simply present myself before ,thee2 ,i open my heart to ,thee4 ,behold my needs which ,i know not myself2 see1 and do according to ,thy tender mercy4 ,smite1 or heal2 depress me1 or raise me up2 ,i adore all ,thy purposes without knowing them2 ,i am silent2 ,i offer myself in sacrifice2 ,i yield myself to ,thee2 ,i would have no other desire than to accomplish ,thy will4 ,teach me to pray2 pray ,thyself in me4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,march #bb ,he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little4--,,ecclesiasticus xix4 ,i4 ,one finger's-breadth at hand will mar ,a world of light in heaven afar1 ,a mote eclipse a glorious star1 ,an eyelid hide the sky4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,a single sin1 however apparently trifling1 however hidden in some obscure corner of our consciousness1--a sin which we do not intend to renounce1--is enough to render real prayer impracticable4 ,a course of action not wholly upright and honorable1 feelings not entirely kind and loving1 habits not spotlessly chaste and temperate1--any of these are impassable obstacles4 ,if we know of a kind act which we might1 but do not intend to1 perform1--if we be aware that our moral health requires the abandonment of some pleasure which yet we do not intend to abandon1 here is cause enough for the loss of all spiritual power4 ,f4 ,p4 ,,cobbe4 ,it is astonishing how soon the whole conscience begins to unravel1 if a single stitch drops2 one little sin indulged makes a hole you could put your head through4 ,,charles ,,buxton4 ,march #bc ,beloved1 thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest4--#c ,,john #e4 ,and this also we wish1 even your perfection4--#b ,,cor4 xiii4 #i4 ,in all the little things of life1 ,thyself1 ,lord1 may ,i see2 ,in little and in great alike ,reveal ,thy love to me4 ,so shall my undivided life ,to ,thee1 my ,god1 be given2 ,and all this earthly course below ,be one dear path to heaven4 ,h4 ,,bonar4 ,in order to mould thee into entire conformity to ,his will1 ,he must have thee pliable in ,his hands1 and this pliability is more quickly reached by yielding in the little things than even by the greater4 ,thy one great desire is to follow ,him fully2 canst thou not say then a continual yes to all ,his sweet commands1 whether small or great1 and trust ,him to lead thee by the shortest road to thy fullest blessedness8 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,with meekness1 humility1 and diligence1 apply yourself to the duties of your condition4 ,they are the seemingly little things which make no noise that do the business4 ,,henry ,,more4 ,march #bd ,i will both lay me down in peace1 and sleep3 for ,thou1 ,lord1 only makest me dwell in safety4--,,ps4 iv4 #h4 ,he giveth ,his beloved sleep4--,,ps4 cxxvii4 #b4 ,he guides our feet1 ,he guards our way1 ,his morning smiles bless all the day2 ,he spreads the evening veil1 and keeps ,the silent hours while ,israel sleeps4 ,i4 ,,watts4 ,we sleep in peace in the arms of ,god1 when we yield ourselves up to ,his providence1 in a delightful consciousness of ,his tender mercies2 no more restless uncertainties1 no more anxious desires1 no more impatience at the place we are in2 for it is ,god who has put us there1 and who holds us in ,his arms4 ,can we be unsafe where ,he has placed us8 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,one evening when ,luther saw a little bird perched on a tree1 to roost there for the night1 he said1 ,this little bird has had its supper1 and now it is getting ready to go to sleep here1 quite secure and content1 never troubling itself what its food will be1 or where its lodging on the morrow4 ,like ,david1 it 'abides under the shadow of the ,almighty4' ,it sits on its little twig content1 and lets ,god take care4 ,,martin ,,luther4 ,march #be ,i will hear what ,god the ,lord will speak3 for ,he will speak peace unto ,his people4--,,ps4 lxxxv4 #h4 ,there is a voice1 a still1 small voice of love1 ,heard from above2 ,but not amidst the din of earthly sounds1 ,which here confounds2 ,by those withdrawn apart it best is heard1 ,and peace1 sweet peace1 breathes in each gentle word4 ,,anonymous4 ,he speaketh1 but it is with us to hearken or no4 ,it is much1 yea1 it is everything1 not to turn away the ear1 to be willing to hearken1 not to drown ,his voice4 ,the secret of the ,lord is with them that fear ,him4 ,it is a secret1 hushed voice1 a gentle intercourse of heart to heart1 a still1 small voice1 whispering to the inner ear4 ,how should we hear it1 if we fill our ears and our hearts with the din of this world1 its empty tumult1 its excitement1 its fretting vanities1 or cares1 or passions1 or anxieties1 or show1 or rivalries1 and its whirl of emptinesses8 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,march #bf ,are they not all ministering spirits8--,,heb4 i4 #ad ,may ,i reach ,that purest heaven1 be to other souls ,the cup of strength in some great agony1 ,enkindle generous ardor1 feed pure love1 ,be the sweet presence of a good diffused1 ,and in diffusion ever more intense6 ,so shall ,i join the choir invisible ,whose music is the gladness of the world4 ,,george ,,eliot4 ,certainly1 in our own little sphere it is not the most active people to whom we owe the most4 ,among the common people whom we know1 it is not necessarily those who are busiest1 not those who1 meteor-like1 are ever on the rush after some visible charge and work4 ,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 ,it seems to me that there is reassurance here for many of us who seem to have no chance for active usefulness4 ,we can do nothing for our fellow-men4 ,but still it is good to know that we can be something for them2 to know 7and this we may know surely7 that no man or woman of the humblest sort can really be strong1 gentle1 pure1 and good1 without the world being better for it1 without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,march #bg ,if we love one another1 ,god dwelleth in us1 and ,his love is perfected in us4--,i ,,john iv4 #ab4 ,and he that keepeth ,his commandments dwelleth in ,him1 and ,he in him4 ,and hereby we know that ,he abideth in us1 by the ,spirit which ,he hath given us4--,i ,,john iii4 #bd4 ,abide in me2 o'ershadow by ,thy love ,each half-formed purpose and dark thought of sin2 ,quench1 ere it rise1 each selfish1 low desire1 ,and keep my soul as ,thine1 calm and divine4 ,h4 ,b4 ,,stowe4 ,the ,spirit of ,love must work the works1 and speak the tones1 of ,love4 ,it cannot exist and give no sign1 or a false sign4 ,it cannot be a spirit of ,love1 and mantle into irritable and selfish impatience4 ,it cannot be a spirit of ,love1 and at the same time make self the prominent object4 ,it cannot rejoice to lend itself to the happiness of others1 and at the same time be seeking its own4 ,it cannot be generous1 and envious4 ,it cannot be sympathizing1 and unseemly2 self-forgetful1 and vain-glorious4 ,it cannot delight in the rectitude and purity of other hearts1 as the spiritual elements of their peace1 and yet unnecessarily suspect them4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,march #bh ,giving thanks always for all things unto ,god4--,,eph4 v4 #bj4 ,for blessings of the fruitful season1 ,for work and rest1 for friends and home1 ,for the great gifts of thought and reason1-- ,to praise and bless ,thee1 ,lord1 we come4 ,yes1 and for weeping and for wailing1 ,for bitter hail and blighting frost1 ,for high hopes on the low earth trailing1 ,for sweet joys missed1 for pure aims crossed4 ,e4 ,,scudder4 ,notwithstanding all that ,i have suffered1 notwithstanding all the pain and weariness and anxiety and sorrow that necessarily enter into life1 and the inward errings that are worse than all1 ,i would end my record with a devout thanksgiving to the great ,author of my being4 ,for more and more am ,i unwilling to make my gratitude to ,him what is commonly called a thanksgiving for mercies1--for any benefits or blessings that are peculiar to myself1 or my friends1 or indeed to any man4 ,instead of this1 ,i would have it to be gratitude for all that belongs to my life and being1--for joy and sorrow1 for health and sickness1 for success and disappointment1 for virtue and for temptation1 for life and death2 because ,i believe that all is meant for good4 ,,orville ,,dewey4 ,march #bi ,there shall no evil befall thee4--,,ps4 xci4 #aj4 ,whoso hearkeneth unto ,me shall dwell safely1 and shall be quiet from fear of evil4--,,prov4 i4 #cc4 ,i ask not1 ,take away this weight of care2 ,no1 for that love ,i pray that all can bear1 ,and for the faith that whatsoe'er befall ,must needs be good1 and for my profit prove1 ,since from my ,father's heart most rich in love1 ,and from ,his bounteous hands it cometh all4 ,c4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,spitta4 ,be like the promontory1 against which the waves continually break2 but it stands firm1 and tames the fury of the water around it4 ,unhappy am ,i1 because this has happened to me8 ,not so1 but happy am ,i1 though this has happened to me1 because ,i continue free from pain1 neither crushed by the present1 nor fearing the future4 ,will then this which has happened prevent thee from being just1 magnanimous1 temperate1 prudent1 secure against inconsiderate opinions and falsehood8 ,remember1 too1 on every occasion which leads thee to vexation to apply this principle3 that this is not a misfortune1 but that to bear it nobly is good fortune4 ,,marcus ,,antoninus4 ,march #cj ,thou shall guide me with ,thy counsel1 and afterward receive me to glory4--,,ps4 lxxiii4 #bd4 ,there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of ,god4--,,heb4 iv4 #i4 ,guide us through life2 and when at last ,we enter into rest1 ,thy tender arms around us cast1 ,and fold us to ,thy breast4 ,h4 ,f4 ,,lyte4 ,go forth to meet the solemnities and to conquer the trials of existence1 believing in a ,shepherd of your souls4 ,then faith in ,him will support you in duty1 and duty firmly done will strengthen faith2 till at last1 when all is over here1 and the noise and strife of the earthly battle fades upon your dying ear1 and you hear1 instead thereof1 the deep and musical sound of the ocean of eternity1 and see the lights of heaven shining on its waters still and fair in their radiant rest1 your faith will raise the song of conquest1 and in its retrospect of the life which has ended1 and its forward glance upon the life to come1 take up the poetic inspiration of the ,hebrew king1 ,surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life1 and ,i will dwell in the house of the ,lord forever4 ,,stopford ,a4 ,,brooke4 ,march #ca ,thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field1 and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee4 ,and thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace4--,,job v4 #bc1 #bd4 ,love had he found in huts where poor men lie2 ,his daily teachers had been woods and rills1 ,the silence that is in the starry sky1 ,the sleep that is among the lonely hills4 ,w4 ,wordsworth4 ,that spirit which suffices quiet hearts1 which seems to come forth to such from every dry knoll of sere grass1 from every pine-stump1 and half-embedded stone1 on which the dull ,march sun shines1 comes forth to the poor and hungry1 and to such as are of simple taste4 ,if thou fill thy brain with ,boston and ,new ,york1 with fashion and covetousness1 and wilt stimulate thy jaded senses with wine and ,french coffee1 thou shall find no radiance of wisdom in the lonely waste of the pine-woods4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,as a countenance is made beautiful by the soul's shining through it1 so the world is beautiful by the shining through it of a ,god4 ,,friedrich ,,heinrich ,,jacobi4 ,april #a ,for ,thou ,invest all the things that are1 and abhorrest nothing which ,thou hast made3 for never wouldest ,thou have made any thing1 if ,thou hadst hated it4 ,but ,thou sparest all3 for they are ,thine1 ,o ,lord1 ,thou lover of souls4--,,wisdom ,,of ,,solomon xi4 #bd1 #bf4 ,he prayeth well who loveth well ,both man and bird and beast2 ,he prayeth best who loveth best ,all things both great and small2 ,for the dear ,god who loveth us1 ,he made and loveth all4 ,s4 ,t4 ,,coleridge4 ,to know that ,love alone was the beginning of nature and creature1 that nothing but ,love encompasses the whole universe of things1 that the governing ,hand that overrules all1 the watchful ,eye that sees through all1 is nothing but omnipotent and omniscient ,love1 using an infinity of wisdom1 to save every misguided creature from the miserable works of its own hands1 and make happiness and glory the perpetual inheritance of all the creation1 is a reflection that must be quite ravishing to every intelligent creature that is sensible of it4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,april #b ,know ye not that ye are the temple of ,god1 and that the ,spirit of ,god dwelleth in you8--,i ,,cor4 iii4 #af4 ,father6 replenish with ,thy grace ,this longing heart of mine2 ,make it ,thy quiet dwelling-place1 ,thy sacred inmost shrine6 ,,johann ,,scheffler4 ,not man's manifold labors1 but his manifold cares1 hinder the presence of ,god4 ,whatsoever thou doest1 hush thyself to thine own feverish vanities1 and busy thoughts1 and cares2 in silence seek thy ,father's face1 and the light of ,his countenance will stream down upon thee4 ,he will make a secret cell in thine heart1 and when thou enterest there1 there shalt thou find ,him4 ,and if thou hast found ,him there1 all around shall reflect ,him1 all shall speak to ,him1 and ,he will speak through all4 ,outwardly thou mayest be doing the work of thy calling2 inwardly if thou commend thy work to ,god1 thou mayest be with ,him in the third ,heaven4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,april #c ,as for thee1 the ,lord thy ,god hath not suffered thee so to do4--,,deut4 xviii4 #ad4 ,lord1 for the erring thought ,not into evil wrought2 ,lord1 for the wicked will ,betrayed and baffled still2 ,for the heart from itself kept1 ,our ,thanksgiving accept4 ,w4 ,d4 ,,howells4 ,what an amazing1 what a blessed disproportion between the evil we do1 and the evil we are capable of doing1 and seem sometimes on the very verge of doing6 ,if my soul has grown tares1 when it was full of the seeds of nightshade1 how happy ought ,i to be6 ,and that the tares have not wholly strangled the wheat1 what a wonder it is6 ,we ought to thank ,god daily for the sins we have not committed4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,we give thanks often with a tearful1 doubtful voice1 for our spiritual mercies positive2 but what an almost infinite field there is for mercies negative6 ,we cannot even imagine all that ,god has suffered us not to do1 not to be4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,you are surprised at your imperfections--why8 ,i should infer from that1 that your self-knowledge is small4 ,surely1 you might rather be astonished that you do not fall into more frequent and more grievous faults1 and thank ,god for ,his upholding grace4 ,,jean ,,nicolas ,,grou4 ,april #d ,well done1 good and faithful servant2 thou hast been faithful over a few things1 ,i will make thee ruler over many things3 enter thou into the joy of thy ,lord4--,,matt4 xxv4 #bc4 ,o father6 help us to resign ,our hearts1 our strength1 our wills to ,thee2 ,then even lowliest work of ,thine ,most noble1 blest1 and sweet will be4 ,h4 ,m4 ,,kimball4 ,nothing is too little to be ordered by our ,father2 nothing too little in which to see ,his hand2 nothing1 which touches our souls1 too little to accept from ,him2 nothing too little to be done to ,him4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,a soul occupied with great ideas best performs small duties2 the divinest views of life penetrate most clearly into the meanest emergencies2 so far from petty principles being best proportioned to petty trials1 a heavenly spirit taking up its abode with us can alone sustain well the daily toils1 and tranquilly pass the humiliations of our condition4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,whoso neglects a thing which he suspects he ought to do1 because it seems to him too small a thing1 is deceiving himself2 it is not too little1 but too great for him1 that he doeth it not4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,april #e ,yet ,i have left me seven thousand in ,israel1 all the knees which have not bowed unto ,baal1 and every mouth which hath not kissed him4--,i ,,kings xix4 #ah4 ,he went down to the great school with a glimmering of another lesson in his heart1--the lesson that he who has conquered his own coward spirit has conquered the whole outward world2 and that other one which the old prophet learnt in the cave in ,mount ,horeb1 when he hid his face1 and the still small voice asked1 ,what doest thou here1 ,elijah8 that however we may fancy ourselves alone on the side of good1 the ,king and ,lord of men is nowhere without ,his witnesses2 for in every society1 however seemingly corrupt and godless1 there are those who have not bowed the knee to ,baal4 ,,thomas ,,hughes4 ,so1 then1 ,elijah's life had been no failure1 after all4 ,seven thousand at least in ,israel had been braced and encouraged by his example1 and silently blessed him1 perhaps1 for the courage which they felt4 ,in ,god's world1 for those who are in earnest there is no failure4 ,no work truly done1 no word earnestly spoken1 no sacrifice freely made1 was ever made in vain4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,april #f ,in the multitude of my thoughts within me ,thy comforts delight my soul4--,,ps4 xciv4 #ai4 ,perplexed1 but not in despair2 cast down1 but not destroyed4--#b ,,cor4 iv4 #h1 #i4 ,discouraged in the work of life1 ,disheartened by its load1 ,shamed by its failures or its fears1 ,i sink beside the road2-- ,but let me only think of ,thee1 ,and then new heart springs up in me4 ,s4 ,,longfellow4 ,discouragement is an inclination to give up all attempts after the devout life1 in consequence of the difficulties by which it is beset1 and our already numerous failures in it4 ,we lose heart2 and partly in ill-temper1 partly in real doubt of our own ability to persevere1 we first grow querulous and peevish with ,god1 and then relax in our efforts to mortify ourselves and to please ,him4 ,it is a sort of shadow of despair1 and will lead us into numberless venial sins the first half-hour we give way to it4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,never let us be discouraged with ourselves2 it is not when we are conscious of our faults that we are the most wicked2 on the contrary1 we are less so4 ,we see by a brighter light2 and let us remember1 for our consolation1 that we never perceive our sins till we begin to cure them4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,april #g ,that ye may prove what is that good1 and acceptable1 and perfect will of ,god4--,,rom4 xii4 #b4 ,thou knowest what is best2 ,and who but ,thee1 ,o ,god1 hath power to know8 ,in ,thy great will my trusting heart shall rest2 ,beneath that will my humble head shall bow4 ,t4 ,c4 ,,upham4 ,to those who are ,his1 all things are not only easy to be borne1 but even to be gladly chosen4 ,their will is united to that will which moves heaven and earth1 which gives laws to angels1 and rules the courses of the world4 ,it is a wonderful gift of ,god to man1 of which we that know so little must needs speak little4 ,to be at the centre of that motion1 where is everlasting rest2 to be sheltered in the peace of ,god2 even now to dwell in heaven1 where all hearts are stayed1 and all hopes fulfilled4 ,thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on ,thee4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,study to follow ,his will in all1 to have no will but ,his4 ,this is thy duty1 and thy wisdom4 ,nothing is gained by spurning and struggling but to hurt and vex thyself2 but by complying all is gained--sweet peace4 ,it is the very secret1 the mystery of solid peace within1 to resign all to ,his will1 to be disposed of at ,his pleasure1 without the least contrary thought4 ,r4 ,,leighton4 ,april #h ,the ,lord is my shepherd2 ,i shall not want4--,,ps4 xxiii4 #a4 ,they that seek the ,lord shall not want any good thing4--,,ps4 xxxiv4 #aj4 ,god1 who the universe doth hold ,in his fold1 ,is my shepherd kind and heedful1 ,is my shepherd1 and doth keep ,me1 his sheep1 ,still supplied with all things needful4 ,f4 ,davison4 ,who is it that is your shepherd8 ,the ,lord6 ,oh1 my friends1 what a wonderful announcement6 ,the ,lord ,god of heaven and earth1 the almighty ,creator of all things1 ,he who holds the universe in ,his hand as though it were a very little thing1--,,he is your shepherd1 and has charged ,himself with the care and keeping of you1 as a shepherd is charged with the care and keeping of his sheep4 ,if your hearts could really take in this thought1 you would never have a fear or a care again2 for with such a shepherd1 how could it be possible for you ever to want any good thing8 ,h4 ,w4 ,smith4 ,april #i ,watch and pray1 that ye enter not into temptation4--,,matt4 xxvi4 #da4 ,i want a sober mind1 ,a self-renouncing will1 ,that tramples down and casts behind ,the baits of pleasing ill2 ,a spirit still prepared1 ,and armed with jealous care1 ,forever standing on its guard1 ,and watching unto prayer4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,when you say1 ,lead us not into temptation1 you must in good earnest mean to avoid in your daily conduct those temptations which you have already suffered from4 ,when you say1 ,deliver us from evil1 you must mean to struggle against that evil in your hearts1 which you are conscious of1 and which you pray to be forgiven4 ,to watch and pray are surely in our power1 and by these means we are certain of getting strength4 ,you feel your weakness2 you fear to be overcome by temptation2 then keep out of the way of it4 ,this is watching4 ,avoid society which is likely to mislead you2 flee from the very shadow of evil2 you cannot be too careful2 better be a little too strict than a little too easy1--it is the safer side4 ,abstain from reading books which are dangerous to you4 ,turn from bad thoughts when they arise4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,april #aj ,not with eye-service1 as men-pleasers2 but in singleness of heart1 fearing ,god4 ,whatsoever ye do1 do it heartily1 as to the ,lord1 and not unto men4--,,col4 iii4 #bb1 #bc4 ,teach me1 my ,god and ,king1 ,in all things ,thee to see1 ,and what ,i do in anything1 ,to do it as for ,thee4 ,g4 ,,herbert4 ,there is no action so slight nor so mean but it may be done to a great purpose1 and ennobled thereby2 nor is any purpose so great but that slight actions may help it1 and may be so done as to help it much1 most especially1 that chief of all purposes--the pleasing of ,god4 ,j4 ,,ruskin4 ,every duty1 even the least duty1 involves the whole principle of obedience4 ,and little duties make the will dutiful1 that is1 supple and prompt to obey4 ,little obediences lead into great4 ,the daily round of duty is full of probation and of discipline2 it trains the will1 heart1 and conscience4 ,we need not to be prophets or apostles4 ,the commonest life may be full of perfection4 ,the duties of home are a discipline for the ministries of heaven4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,april #aa ,wherefore1 beloved444 be diligent that ye may be found of ,him in peace1 without spot1 and blameless1--#b ,,peter iii4 #ad4 ,his conscience knows no secret stings1 ,while grace and joy combine ,to form a life whose holy springs ,are hidden and divine4 ,i4 ,,watts ,even the smallest discontent of conscience may render turbid the whole temper of the mind2 but only produce the effort that restores its peace1 and over the whole atmosphere a breath of unexpected purity is spread2 doubt and irritability pass as clouds away2 the withered sympathies of earth and home open their leaves and live2 and through the clearest blue the deep is seen of the heaven where ,god resides4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,the state of mind which is described as meekness1 or quietness of spirit1 is characterized in a high degree by inward harmony4 ,there is not1 as formerly1 that inward jarring of thought contending with thought1 and conscience asserting rights which it could not maintain4 ,t4 ,c4 ,,upham4 ,april #ab ,be perfect1 be of good comfort1 be of one mind1 live in peace2 and the ,god of love and peace shall be with you4--#b ,,cor4 xiii4 #aa4 ,he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen1 how can he love ,god whom he hath not seen8--,i ,,john iv4 #bj4 ,lord6 subdue our selfish will2 ,each to each our tempers suit1 ,by ,thy modulating skill1 ,heart to heart1 as lute to lute4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,it requires far more of the constraining love of ,christ to love our cousins and neighbors as members of the heavenly family1 than to feel the heart warm to our suffering brethren in ,tuscany or ,madeira4 ,to love the whole ,church is one thing2 to love--that is1 to delight in the graces and veil the defects--of the person who misunderstood me and opposed my plans yesterday1 whose peculiar infirmities grate on my most sensitive feelings1 or whose natural faults are precisely those from which my natural character most revolts1 is quite another4 ,,elizabeth ,,charles4 ,april #ac ,in all these things we are more than conquerors through ,him that loved us4--,,rom4 viii4 #cg4 ,thus my soul before her ,god ,lieth still1 nor speaketh more1 ,conqueror thus o'er pain and wrong1 ,that once smote her to the core2 ,like a silent ocean1 bright ,with her ,god's great praise and light4 ,j4 ,j4 ,,winckler4 ,my mind is forever closed against embarrassment and perplexity1 against uncertainty1 doubt1 and anxiety2 my heart against grief and desire4 ,calm and unmoved1 ,i look down on all things1 for ,i know that ,i cannot explain a single event1 nor comprehend its connection with that which alone concerns me4 ,in ,his world all things prosper2 this satisfies me1 and in this belief ,i stand fast as a rock4 ,my breast is steeled against annoyance on account of personal offences and vexations1 or exultation in personal merit2 for my whole personality has disappeared in the contemplation of the purpose of my being4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,fichte4 ,april #ad ,all thing are yours2 whether ,paul1 or ,apollos1 or ,cephas1 or the world1 or life1 or death1 or things present1 or things to come2 all are yours2 and ye are ,christ's2 and ,christ is ,god's4--,i ,,cor4 iii4 #ba1 #bb1 #bc4 ,as having nothing1 and yet possessing all things1--#b ,,cor4 vi4 #aj4 ,old friends1 old scenes1 will lovelier be1 ,as more of heaven in each we see3 ,some softening gleam of love and prayer ,shall dawn on every cross and care4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,out of love and hatred1 out of earnings1 and borrowings1 and lendings1 and losses2 out of sickness and pain1 out of wooing and worshipping2 out of travelling1 and voting1 and watching1 and caring2 out of disgrace and contempt1 comes our tuition in the serene and beautiful laws4 ,let him not slur his lesson2 let him learn it by heart4 ,let him endeavor exactly1 bravely1 and cheerfully1 to solve the problem of that life which is set before him4 ,and this1 by punctual action1 and not by promises or dreams4 ,believing1 as in ,god1 in the presence and favor of the grandest influences1 let him deserve that favor1 and learn how to receive and use it1 by fidelity also to the lower observances4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,april #ae ,we know that all things work together for good to them that love ,god4--,,rom4 viii4 #bh4 ,as for you1 ye thought evil against me2 but ,god meant it unto good4--,,gen4 #a4 #bj4 ,ill that ,he blesses is our good1 ,and unblest good is ill2 ,and all is right that seems most wrong1 ,if it be ,his sweet ,will4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,to those who know themselves1 all things work together for good1 and all things seem to be1 as they are to them1 good4 ,the goods which ,god gives seem very good1 and ,god ,himself in them1 because they know that they deserve them not4 ,the evils which ,god allows and overrules seem also very good1 because they see in them ,his loving hand1 put forth to heal them of what shuts out ,god from the soul4 ,they love ,god intensely1 in that ,he is so good to them in each1 and every1 the least good1 because it is more than they deserve3 how much more in the greatest6 ,they love ,god for every1 and each1 the very greatest of what seem evils1 knowing them to be1 from ,his love1 real goods4 ,for ,he by whom all the hairs of our head are numbered1 and who knoweth whereof we are made1 directs everything which befalls us in life1 in perfect wisdom and love1 to the well-being of our souls4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,april #af ,the very ,god of peace sanctify you wholly1 and ,i pray ,god your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless4 ,faithful is ,he that calleth you1 who also will do it4--,i ,,thess4 v4 #bc1 #bd4 ,be still1 my soul6--the ,lord is on thy side2 ,bear patiently the cross of grief and pain2 ,leave to thy ,god to order and provide1-- ,in every change ,he faithful will remain4 ,,hymns ,,from ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,luther4 ,it was no relief from temporal evils that the ,apostle promised4 ,no2 the mercy of ,god might send them to the stake1 or the lions2 it was still ,his mercy1 if it but kept them unspotted from the world4 ,it might expose them to insult1 calumny1 and wrong2 they received it still as mercy1 if it established them in every good word and work4 ,o brethren6 how many of you are content with such faithfulness as this on the part of your heavenly ,father8 ,is this1 indeed1 the tone and tenor of your prayers8 ,,wm4 ,,archer ,,butler4 ,the highest pinnacle of the spiritual life is not happy joy in unbroken sunshine1 but absolute and undoubting trust in the love of ,god4 ,a4 ,w4 ,,thorold4 ,april #ag ,blessed is that man that maketh the ,lord his trust4--,,ps4 xl4 #d4 ,that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life4--,i ,,tim4 ii4 #b4 ,just to let thy ,father do ,what ,he will2 ,just to know that ,he is true1 ,and be still2 ,just to trust ,him1 this is all6 ,then the day will surely be ,peaceful1 whatsoe'er befall1 ,bright and blessed1 calm and free4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,every morning compose your soul for a tranquil day1 and all through it be careful often to recall your resolution1 and bring yourself back to it1 so to say4 ,if something discomposes you1 do not be upset1 or troubled2 but having discovered the fact1 humble yourself gently before ,god1 and try to bring your mind into a quiet attitude4 ,say to yourself1 ,well1 ,i have made a false step2 now ,i must go more carefully and watchfully4 ,do this each time1 however frequently you fall4 ,when you are at peace use it profitably1 making constant acts of meekness1 and seeking to be calm even in the most trifling things4 ,above all1 do not be discouraged2 be patient2 wait2 strive to attain a calm1 gentle spirit4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,april #ah ,what doth the ,lord thy ,god require of thee1 but to fear the ,lord thy ,god1 to walk in all ,his ways1 and to love ,him1 and to serve the ,lord thy ,god with all thy heart and with all thy soul8--,,deut4 x4 #ab4 ,what asks our ,father of ,his children save ,justice and mercy and humility1 ,a reasonable service of good deeds1 ,pure living1 tenderness to human needs1 ,reverence1 and trust1 and prayer for light to see ,the ,master's footprints in our daily ways8 ,no knotted scourge1 nor sacrificial knife1 ,but the calm beauty of an ordered life ,whose every breathing is unworded praise4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,give up yourself to ,god without reserve2 in singleness of heart meeting everything that every day brings forth1 as something that comes from ,god1 and is to be received and gone through by you1 in such an heavenly use of it1 as you would suppose the holy ,jesus would have done in such occurrences4 ,this is an attainable degree of perfection4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,we ought to measure our actual lot1 and to fulfil it2 to be with all our strength that which our lot requires and allows4 ,what is beyond it1 is no calling of ours4 ,how much peace1 quiet1 confidence1 and strength1 would people attain1 if they would go by this plain rule4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,april #ai ,the hand of our ,god is upon all them for good that seek ,him4--,,ezra viii4 #bb4 ,into ,thy hand ,i commit my spirit4--,,ps4 xxxi4 #e4 ,thou layest ,thy hand on the fluttering heart1 ,and sayest1 ,be still6 ,the silence and shadow are only a part ,of ,thy sweet will2 ,thy presence is with me1 and where ,thou art ,i fear no ill4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit from thy own thoughts1 and then thou wilt feel the principle of ,god1 to turn thy mind to the ,lord ,god1 from whom life comes2 whereby thou mayest receive ,his strength1 and power to allay all blustering storms and tempests4 ,that is it which works up into patience1 into innocency1 into soberness1 into stillness1 into stayedness1 into quietness1 up to ,god with ,his power4 ,therefore be still awhile from thy own thoughts1 searching1 seeking1 desires1 and imaginations1 and be stayed in the principle of ,god in thee1 that it may raise thy mind up to ,god1 and stay it upon ,god2 and thou wilt find strength from ,him1 and find ,him to be a ,god at hand1 a present help in the time of trouble and need4 ,,george ,,fox4 ,april #bj ,i waited patiently for the ,lord2 and ,he inclined unto me1 and heard my cry4--,,ps4 xl4 #a4 ,tribulation worketh patience2 and patience1 experience2 and experience1 hope1--,,rom4 v4 #c1 #d4 ,lord1 we have wandered forth through doubt and sorrow1 ,and ,thou hast made each step an onward one2 ,and we will ever trust each unknown morrow1-- ,thou wilt sustain us till its work is done4 ,s4 ,,johnson4 ,it is possible1 when the future is dim1 when our depressed faculties can form no bright ideas of the perfection and happiness of a better world1--it is possible still to cling to the conviction of ,god's merciful purpose towards ,his creatures1 of ,his parental goodness even in suffering2 still to feel that the path of duty1 though trodden with a heavy heart1 leads to peace2 still to be true to conscience2 still to do our work1 to resist temptation1 to be useful1 though with diminished energy1 to give up our wills when we cannot rejoice under ,god's mysterious providence4 ,in this patient1 though uncheered obedience1 we become prepared for light4 ,the soul gathers force4 ,,wm4 ,e4 ,,channing4 ,april #ba ,be ye therefore perfect1 even as your ,father which is in heaven is perfect4--,,matt4 v4 #dh4 ,as for me1 ,i will behold ,thy face in righteousness2 ,i shall be satisfied1 when ,i awake1 with ,thy likeness4--,,ps4 xvii4 #ae4 ,the righteousness he marks in ,thee ,his will to right doth win2 ,delighting in ,thy purity1 ,he deeply drinks it in4 ,t4 ,h4 ,,gill4 ,to love ,god is to love ,his character4 ,for instance1 ,god is ,purity4 ,and to be pure in thought and look1 to turn away from unhallowed books and conversation1 to abhor the moments in which we have not been pure1 is to love ,god4 ,god is ,love2 and to love men till private attachments have expanded into a philanthropy which embraces all1--at last even the evil and enemies with compassion1--that is to love ,god4 ,god is ,truth4 ,to be true1 to hate every form of falsehood1 to live a brave1 true1 real life1--that is to love ,god4 ,god is ,infinite2 and to love the boundless1 reaching on from grace to grace1 adding charity to faith1 and rising upwards ever to see the ,ideal still above us1 and to die with it unattained1 aiming insatiably to be perfect even as the ,father is perfect1--that is to love ,god4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,april #bb ,whom having not seen1 ye love2 in whom1 though now ye see ,him not1 yet believing1 ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory4--,i ,,peter i4 #h4 ,if our love were but more simple1 ,we should take ,him at ,his word2 ,and our lives would be all sunshine ,in the sweetness of our ,lord4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,what would it be to love absolutely a ,being absolutely lovely1--to be able to give our whole existence1 every thought1 every act1 every desire1 to that adored ,one1--to know that ,he accepts it all1 and loves us in return as ,god alone can love8 ,this happiness grows forever4 ,the larger our natures become1 the wider our scope of thought1 the stronger our will1 the more fervent our affections1 the deeper must be the rapture of such ,god-granted prayer4 ,every sacrifice resolved on opens wide the gate2 every sacrifice accomplished is a step towards the paradise within4 ,soon it will be no transitory glimpse1 no rapture of a day1 to be followed by clouds and coldness4 ,let us but labor1 and pray1 and wait1 and the intervals of human frailty shall grow shorter and less dark1 the days of our delight in ,god longer and brighter1 till at last life shall be nought but ,his love1 our eyes shall never grow dim1 ,his smile never turn away4 ,f4 ,b4 ,,cobbe4 ,april #bc ,these were the potters1 and those that dwelt among plants and hedges3 there they dwelt with the king for his work4--,i ,,chron4 iv4 #bc4 ,a lowlier task on them is laid1 ,with love to make the labor light2 ,and there their beauty they must shed ,on quiet homes1 and lost to sight4 ,changed are their visions high and fair1 ,yet1 calm and still1 they labor there4 ,,hymns ,,of ,,the ,,ages4 ,anywhere and everywhere we may dwell with the ,king for ,his work4 ,we may be in a very unlikely or unfavorable place for this2 it may be in a literal country life1 with little enough to be seen of the goings of the ,king around us2 it may be among hedges of all sorts1 hindrances in all directions2 it may be1 furthermore1 with our hands full of all manner of pottery for our daily task4 ,no matter6 ,the ,king who placed us there will come and dwell there with us2 the hedges are all right1 or ,he would soon do away with them2 and it does not follow that what seems to hinder our way may not be for its very protection2 and as for the pottery1 why1 that is just exactly what ,he has seen fit to put into our hands1 and therefore it is1 for the present1 ,his work4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,april #bd ,bear ye one another's burdens1 and so fulfil the law of ,christ4--,,gal4 vi4 #b4 ,is thy cruse of comfort wasting8 ,rise and share it with another1 ,and through all the years of famine1 ,it shall serve thee and thy brother4 ,is thy burden hard and heavy8 ,do thy steps drag heavily8 ,help to bear thy brother's burden2 ,god will bear both it and thee4 ,,elizabeth ,,charles4 ,however perplexed you may at any hour become about some question of truth1 one refuge and resource is always at hand3 you can do something for some one besides yourself4 ,when your own burden is heaviest1 you can always lighten a little some other burden4 ,at the times when you cannot see ,god1 there is still open to you this sacred possibility1 to show ,god2 for it is the love and kindness of human hearts through which the divine reality comes home to men1 whether they name it or not4 ,let this thought1 then1 stay with you3 there may be times when you cannot find help1 but there is no time when you cannot give help4 ,,george ,s4 ,,merriam4 ,april #be ,surely1 ,i have behaved and quieted myself1 as a child that is weaned of his mother3 my soul is even as a weaned child4--,,ps4 cxxxi4 #b4 ,quiet1 ,lord1 my froward heart1 ,make me teachable and mild1 ,upright1 simple1 free from art1 ,make me as a weaned child2 ,from distrust and envy free1 ,pleased with all that pleaseth ,thee4 ,j4 ,,newton4 ,oh6 look not after great things3 small breathings1 small desires after the ,lord1 if true and pure1 are sweet beginnings of life4 ,take heed of despising the day of small things1 by looking after some great visitation1 proportionable to thy distress1 according to thy eye4 ,nay1 thou must become a child2 thou must lose thy own will quite by degrees4 ,thou must wait for life to be measured out by the ,father1 and be content with what proportion1 and at what time1 ,he shall please to measure4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,when ,israel was a child1 then ,i loved him 7,hosea xi4 #a74 ,aim to be ever this little child1 contented with what the ,father gives of pleasure or of play2 and when restrained from pleasure or from play1 and led for a season into the chamber of sorrow1 rest quiet on ,his bosom1 and be patient1 and smile1 as one who is nestled in a sweet and secure asylum4 ,,anon4 ,april #bf ,if we hope for that we see not1 then do we with patience wait for it4--,,rom4 viii4 #be4 ,one day is with the ,lord as a thousand years1 and a thousand years as one day4--#b ,,peter iii4 #h4 ,lord6 who ,thy thousand years dost wait ,to work the thousandth part ,of ,thy vast plan1 for us create ,with zeal a patient heart4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,i believe that if we could only see beforehand what it is that our heavenly ,father means us to be1--the soul beauty and perfection and glory1 the glorious and lovely spiritual body that this soul is to dwell in through all eternity1--if we could have a glimpse of this1 we should not grudge all the trouble and pains ,he is taking with us now1 to bring us up to that ideal1 which is ,his thought of us4 ,we know that it is ,god's way to work slowly1 so we must not be surprised if ,he takes a great many years of discipline to turn a mortal being into an immortal1 glorious angel4 ,,annie ,,keary4 ,april #bg ,speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor1--,,zech4 viii4 #af4 ,for our rejoicing is this1 the testimony of our conscience1 that in simplicity and godly sincerity444 we have had our conversation in the world4--#b ,,cor4 i4 #ab4 ,appear ,i always what ,i am8 ,and am ,i what ,i am pretending8 ,know ,i what way my course is bending8 ,and sound my word and thought the same8 ,,anon4 ,am ,i acting in simplicity1 from a germ of the ,divine life within1 or am ,i shaping my path to obtain some immediate result of expediency8 ,am ,i endeavoring to compass effects1 amidst a tangled web of foreign influences ,i cannot calculate2 or am ,i seeking simply to do what is right1 and leaving the consequences to the good providence of ,god8 ,m4 ,a4 ,,schimmelpenninck4 ,let it not be in any man's power to say truly of thee that thou art not simple1 or that thou art not good2 but let him be a liar whoever shall think anything of this kind about thee2 and this is altogether in thy power4 ,for who is he that shall hinder thee from being good and simple8 ,,marcus ,,antoninus4 ,april #bh ,the ,lord is thy keeper3 the ,lord is thy shade upon thy right hand4--,,ps4 cxxi4 #e4 ,great peace have they which love ,thy law3 and nothing shall offend them4--,,ps4 cxix4 #afe4 ,i rest beneath the ,almighty's shade1 ,my griefs expire1 my troubles cease2 ,thou1 ,lord1 on whom my soul is stayed1 ,wilt keep me still in perfect peace4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,one great sign of the practical recognition of the divine moment1 and of our finding ,god's habitation in it1 is constant calmness and peace of mind4 ,events and things come with the moment2 but ,god comes with them too4 ,so that if ,he comes in the sunshine1 we find rest and joy2 and if ,he comes in the storm1 we know ,he is ,king of the storms1 and our hearts are not troubled4 ,god ,himself1 though possessing a heart filled with the tenderest feelings1 is1 nevertheless1 an everlasting tranquillity2 and when we enter into ,his holy tabernacle1 our souls necessarily enter into the tabernacle of rest4 ,t4 ,c4 ,,upham4 ,my soul was not only brought into harmony with itself and with ,god1 but with ,god's providences4 ,in the exercise of faith and love1 ,i endured and performed whatever came in ,god's providence1 in submission1 in thankfulness1 and silence4 ,,madame ,,guyon4 ,april #bi ,i will arise and go to my ,father4--,,luke xv4 #ah4 ,o my ,god1 my ,father6 hear1 ,and help me to believe2 ,weak and weary ,i draw near2 ,thy child1 ,o ,god1 receive4 ,i so oft have gone astray2 ,to the perfect ,guide ,i flee2 ,thou wilt turn me not away1 ,thy love is pledged to me4 ,,hymns ,,of ,,the ,,spirit4 ,o child1 hast thou fallen8 arise1 and go1 with childlike trust1 to thy ,father1 like the prodigal son1 and humbly say1 with heart and mouth1 ,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven1 and before ,thee1 and am no more worthy to be called ,thy son2 make me as one of ,thy hired servants4 ,and what will thy heavenly ,father do but what that father did in the parable8 ,assuredly ,he will not change ,his essence1 which is love1 for the sake of thy misdoings4 ,is it not ,his own precious treasure1 and a small thing with ,him to forgive thee thy trespasses1 if thou believe in ,him8 for ,his hand is not shortened that it cannot make thee fit to be saved4 ,,john ,,tauler4 ,april #cj ,speak unto the children of ,israel1 that they go forward4--,,ex4 xiv4 #ae4 ,no man1 having put his hand to the plough1 and looking back1 is fit for the kingdom of ,god4--,,luke ix4 #fb4 ,be trustful1 be steadfast1 whatever betide thee1 ,only one thing do thou ask of the ,lord1-- ,grace to go forward wherever ,he guide thee1 ,simply believing the truth of ,his word4 ,,anon4 ,the soul ceases to weary itself with planning and foreseeing1 giving itself up to ,god's ,holy ,spirit within1 and to the teachings of ,his providence without4 ,he is not forever fretting as to his progress1 or looking back to see how far he is getting on2 rather he goes steadily and quietly on1 and makes all the more progress because it is unconscious4 ,so he never gets troubled and discouraged2 if he falls he humbles himself1 but gets up at once1 and goes on with renewed earnestness4 ,,jean ,,nicolas ,,grou4 ,may #a ,i will bless the ,lord at all times3 ,his praise shall continually be in my mouth4--,,ps4 xxxiv4 ,i4 ,i will praise ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 with my whole heart2 ,i will show forth all ,thy marvellous works4--,,ps4 ix4 ,i4 ,thrice blest will all our blessings be1 ,when we can look through them to ,thee2 ,when each glad heart its tribute pays ,of love and gratitude and praise4 ,,jane ,,cotterill4 ,that which befits us1 embosomed in beauty and wonder as we are1 is cheerfulness1 and courage1 and the endeavor to realize our aspirations4 ,shall not the heart which has received so much1 trust the ,power by which it lives8 ,may it not quit other leadings1 and listen to the ,soul that has guided it so gently1 and taught it so much1 secure that the future will be worthy of the past8 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,i have experienced that the habit of taking out of the hand of our ,lord every little blessing and brightness on our path1 confirms us1 in an especial manner1 in communion with ,his love4 ,m4 ,a4 ,,schimmelpenninck4 ,may #b ,the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit1 which is in the sight of ,god of great price4--,i ,,peter iii4 #d4 ,to present you holy1 and unblameable1 and unreproveable in ,his sight4--,,col4 i4 #bb4 ,thy sinless mind in us reveal1 ,thy spirit's plenitude impart6 ,till all my spotless life shall tell ,the abundance of a loving heart4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,holiness appeared to me to be of a sweet1 pleasant1 charming1 serene1 calm nature4 ,it seemed to me1 it brought an inexpressible purity1 brightness1 peacefulness1 and ravishment to the soul2 and that it made the soul like a field or garden of ,god1 with all manner of pleasant flowers1 that is all pleasant1 delightful1 and undisturbed2 enjoying a sweet calm1 and the gently vivifying beams of the sun4 ,the soul of a true ,christian appeared like such a little white flower1 as we see in the spring of the year1 low and humble on the ground1 opening its bosom to receive the pleasant beams of the sun's glory2 rejoicing1 as it were1 in a calm rapture2 diffusing around a sweet fragrancy2 standing peacefully and lovingly in the midst of other flowers round about1 all in like manner opening their bosoms to drink in the light of the sun4 ,,jonathan ,,edwards4 ,may #c ,the ,lord is good1 a stronghold in the day of trouble2 and ,he knoweth them that trust in ,him4--,,nahum i4 #g4 ,leave ,god to order all thy ways1 ,and hope in ,him1 whate'er betide2 ,thou ',it find ,him in the evil days ,thy all-sufficient strength and guide2 ,who trusts in ,god's unchanging love1 ,builds on the rock that nought can move4 ,g4 ,,neumark4 ,our whole trouble in our lot in this world rises from the disagreement of our mind therewith4 ,let the mind be brought to the lot1 and the whole tumult is instantly hushed2 let it be kept in that disposition1 and the man shall stand at ease1 in his affliction1 like a rock unmoved with waters beating upon it4 ,t4 ,,boston4 ,how does our will become sanctified8 ,by conforming itself unreservedly to that of ,god4 ,we will all that ,he wills1 and will nothing that ,he does not will2 we attach our feeble will to that all-powerful will which performs everything4 ,thus1 nothing can ever come to pass against our will2 for nothing can happen save that which ,god wills1 and we find in ,his good pleasure an inexhaustible source of peace and consolation4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,may #d ,who through faith subdued kingdoms1 wrought righteousness1 obtained promises1 stopped the mouths of lions1 out of weakness were made strong4--,,heb xi4 #cc1 #cd4 ,she met the hosts of ,sorrow with a look ,that altered not beneath the frown they wore1 ,and soon the lowering brood were tamed1 and took1 ,meekly1 her gentle rule1 and frowned no more4 ,her soft hand put aside the assaults of wrath1 ,and calmly broke in twain ,the fiery shafts of pain1 ,and rent the nets of passion from her path4 ,by that victorious hand despair was slain2 ,with love she vanquished hate1 and overcame ,evil with good1 in her great ,master's name4 ,w4 ,c4 ,,bryant4 ,as to what may befall us outwardly1 in this confused state of things1 shall we not trust our tender ,father1 and rest satisfied in ,his will8 ,shall anything hurt us8 ,can tribulation1 distress1 persecution1 famine1 nakedness1 peril1 or sword1 come between the love of the ,father to the child1 or the child's rest1 content1 and delight in ,his love8 ,and doth not the love1 the rest1 the peace1 the joy felt1 swallow up all the bitterness and sorrow of the outward condition8 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,may #e ,if thou hast run with the footmen1 and they have wearied thee1 then how canst thou contend with horses8 and if in the land of peace1 wherein thou trustedst1 they wearied thee1 then how wilt thou do in the swelling of ,jordan8--,,jer4 xii4 #e4 ,how couldst thou hang upon the cross1 ,to whom a weary hour is loss8 ,or how the thorns and scourging brook1 ,who shrinkest from a scornful look8 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,a heart unloving among kindred has no love towards ,god's saints and angels4 ,if we have a cold heart towards a servant or a friend1 why should we wonder if we have no fervor towards ,god8 ,if we are cold in our private prayers1 we should be earthly and dull in the most devout religious order2 if we cannot bear the vexations of a companion1 how should we bear the contradiction of sinners8 if a little pain overcomes us1 how could we endure a cross8 if we have no tender1 cheerful1 affectionate love to those with whom our daily hours are spent1 how should we feel the pulse and ardor of love to the unknown and the evil1 the ungrateful and repulsive8 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,may #f ,be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love4--,,rom4 xii4 #aj4 ,in her tongue is the law of kindness4--,,prov4 xxxi4 #bf4 ,since trifles make the sum of human things1 ,and half our misery from our foibles springs2 ,since life's best joys consist in peace and ease1 ,and though but few can serve1 yet all can please2 ,oh1 let the ungentle spirit learn from hence1 ,a small unkindness is a great offence4 ,,hannah ,,more4 ,all usefulness and all comfort may be prevented by an unkind1 a sour1 crabbed temper of mind1--a mind that can bear with no difference of opinion or temperament4 ,a spirit of fault-finding2 an unsatisfied temper2 a constant irritability2 little inequalities in the look1 the temper1 or the manner2 a brow cloudy and dissatisfied--your husband or your wife cannot tell why--will more than neutralize all the good you can do1 and render life anything but a blessing4 ,,albert ,,barnes4 ,you have not fulfilled every duty1 unless you have fulfilled that of being pleasant4 ,,charles ,,buxton4 ,may #g ,he healeth the broken in heart1 and bindeth up their wounds4 ,he telleth the number of the stars2 ,he calleth them all by their names4--,,ps4 cxlvii4 #c1 #d4 ,teach me your mood1 ,o patient stars6 ,who climb each night the ancient sky1 ,leaving on space no shade1 no scars1 ,no trace of age1 no fear to die4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,i looked up to the heavens once more1 and the quietness of the stars seemed to reproach me4 ,we are safe up here1 they seemed to say2 we shine1 fearless and confident1 for the ,god who gave the primrose its rough leaves to hide it from the blast of uneven spring1 hangs us in the awful hollows of space4 ,we cannot fall out of ,his safety4 ,lift up your eyes on high1 and behold6 ,who hath created these things--that bringeth out their host by number8 ,he calleth them all by names4 ,by the greatness of ,his might1 for that ,he is strong in power1 not one faileth4 ,why sayest thou1 ,o ,jacob6 and speakest1 ,o ,israel6 my way is hid from the ,lord1 and my judgment is passed over from my ,god8 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,may #h ,this is the day which the ,lord hath made2 we will rejoice and be glad in it4--,,ps4 cxviii4 #bd4 ,why stand ye here all the day idle8--,,matt4 xx4 #f4 ,so here hath been dawning another blue day2 ,think1 wilt thou let it slip useless away8 ,out of eternity this new day is born2 ,into eternity at night will return4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,small cares1 some deficiencies in the mere arrangement and ordering of our lives1 daily fret our hearts1 and cross the clearness of our faculties2 and these entanglements hang around us1 and leave us no free soul able to give itself up1 in power and gladness1 to the true work of life4 ,the severest training and self-denial1--a superiority to the servitude of indulgence1--are the indispensable conditions even of genial spirits1 of unclouded energies1 of tempers free from morbidness1--much more of the practised and vigorous mind1 ready at every call1 and thoroughly furnished unto all good works4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,true1 we can never be at peace till we have performed the highest duty of all1--till we have arisen1 and gone to our ,father2 but the performance of smaller duties1 yes1 even of the smallest1 will do more to give us temporary repose1 will act more as healthful anodynes1 than the greatest joys that can come to us from any other quarter4 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,may #i ,the ,lord gave1 and the ,lord hath taken away2 blessed be the name of the ,lord4--,,job i4 #ba4 ,what ,thou hast given1 ,thou canst take1 ,and when ,thou wilt new gifts can make4 ,all flows from ,thee alone2 ,when ,thou didst give it1 it was ,thine2 ,when ,thou retook'st it1 't was not mine4 ,thy will in all be done4 ,,john ,,austin4 ,we are ready to praise when all shines fair2 but when life is overcast1 when all things seem to be against us1 when we are in fear for some cherished happiness1 or in the depths of sorrow1 or in the solitude of a life which has no visible support1 or in a season of sickness1 and with the shadow of death approaching1--then to praise ,god2 then to say1 ,this fear1 loneliness1 affliction1 pain1 and trembling awe are as sure tokens of love1 as life1 health1 joy1 and the gifts of home3 ,the ,lord gave1 and the ,lord hath taken away2 on either side it is ,he1 and all is love alike2 blessed be the name of the ,lord1--this is the true sacrifice of praise4 ,what can come amiss to a soul which is so in accord with ,god8 ,what can make so much as one jarring tone in all its harmony8 ,in all the changes of this fitful life1 it ever dwells in praise4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,may #aj ,the ,lord redeemeth the soul of ,his servants2 and none of them that trust in ,him shall be desolate4--,,ps4 xxxiv4 #bb4 ,though ,he slay me1 yet will ,i trust in ,him4--,,job xiii4 #ae4 ,i praise ,thee while my days go on2 ,i love ,thee while my days go on3 ,through dark and dearth1 through fire and frost1 ,with emptied arms and treasure lost1 ,i thank ,thee while my days go on4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,browning4 ,the sickness of the last week was fine medicine2 pain disintegrated the spirit1 or became spiritual4 ,i rose1--,i felt that ,i had given to ,god more perhaps than an angel could1--had promised ,him in youth that to be a blot on this fair world1 at ,his command1 would be acceptable4 ,constantly offer myself to continue the obscurest 'and loneliest thing ever heard of1 with one proviso1--,his agency4 ,yes1 love ,thee1 and all ,thou dost1 while ,thou sheddest frost and darkness on every path of mine4 ,,mary ,,moody ,,emerson4 ,may #aa ,shall we receive good at the hand of ,god1 and shall we not receive evil8--,,job ii4 #aj4 ,thou hast dealt well with ,thy servant1 ,o ,lord1 according to ,thy word4--,,ps4 cxix4 #fe4 ,whatsoe'er our lot may be1 ,calmly in this thought we'll rest1-- ,could we see as ,thou dost see1 ,we should choose it as the best4 ,,wm4 ,,gaskell4 ,it is a proverbial saying1 that every one makes his own destiny2 and this is usually interpreted1 that every one1 by his wise or unwise conduct1 prepares good or evil for himself3 but we may also understand it1 that whatever it be that he receives from the hand of ,providence1 he may so accommodate himself to it1 that he will find his lot good for him1 however much may seem to others to be wanting4 ,,wm4 ,,von ,,humboldt4 ,evil1 once manfully fronted1 ceases to be evil2 there is generous battle-hope in place of dead1 passive misery2 the evil itself has become a kind of good4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,may #ab ,fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer3444 ye shall have tribulation ten days3 be thou faithful unto death1 and ,i will give thee a crown of life4--,,rev4 ii4 #aj4 ,then1 ,o my soul1 be ne'er afraid1 ,on ,him who thee and all things made ,do thou all calmly rest2 ,whate'er may come1 where'er we go1 ,our ,father in the heavens must know ,in all things what is best4 ,,paul ,,flemming4 ,guide me1 ,o ,lord1 in all the changes and varieties of the world2 that in all things that shall happen1 ,i may have an evenness and tranquillity of spirit2 that my soul may be wholly resigned to ,thy divinest will and pleasure1 never murmuring at ,thy gentle chastisements and fatherly correction4 ,amen4 ,,jeremy ,,taylor4 ,thou art never at any time nearer to ,god than when under tribulation2 which ,he permits for the purification and beautifying of thy soul4 ,m4 ,,de ,,molinos4 ,prize inward exercises1 griefs1 and troubles2 and let faith and patience have their perfect work in them4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,may #ac ,i pray not that ,thou shouldest take them out of the world1 but that ,thou shouldest keep them from the evil4--,,john xvii4 #ae4 ,in busy mart and crowded street1 ,no less than in the still retreat1 ,thou1 ,lord1 art near1 our souls to bless1 ,with all a ,father's tenderness4 ,i4 ,,williams4 ,only the individual conscience1 and ,he who is greater than the conscience1 can tell where worldliness prevails4 ,each heart must answer for itself1 and at its own risk4 ,that our souls are committed to our own keeping1 at our own peril1 in a world so mixed as this1 is the last reason we should slumber over the charge1 or betray the trust4 ,if only that outlet to the ,infinite is kept open1 the inner bond with eternal life preserved1 while not one movement of this world's business is interfered with1 nor one pulse-beat of its happiness repressed1 with all natural associations dear and cherished1 with all human sympathies fresh and warm1 we shall yet be near to the kingdom of heaven1 within the order of the ,kosmos of ,god--in the world1 but not of the world--not taken out of it1 but kept from its evil4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,may #ad ,and what doth the ,lord require of thee1 but to do justly1 and to love mercy1 and to walk humbly with thy ,god8--,,micah vi4 #h4 ,put on therefore444 kindness1 humbleness of mind1 meekness1 long-suffering4--,,col4 iii4 #ab4 ,plant in us an humble mind1 ,patient1 pitiful1 and kind2 ,meek and lowly let us be1 ,full of goodness1 full of ,thee4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,there is no true and constant gentleness without humility2 while we are so fond of ourselves1 we are easily offended with others4 ,let us be persuaded that nothing is due to us1 and then nothing will disturb us4 ,let us often think of our own infirmities1 and we shall become indulgent towards those of others4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,endeavor to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others1 of what sort soever they be2 for that thyself also hast many failings which must be borne with by others4 ,if thou canst not make thyself such an one as thou wouldest1 how canst thou expect to have another in all things to thy liking8 ,,thomas ,,kempis4 ,may #ae ,my presence shall go with thee1 and ,i will give thee rest4--,,ex4 xxxiii4 #ad4 ,thou wilt show me the path of life3 in ,thy presence is fulness of joy2 at ,thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore4--,,ps4 xvi4 #aa4 ,thy presence fills my mind with peace1 ,brightens the thoughts so dark erewhile1 ,bids cares and sad forebodings cease1 ,makes all things smile4 ,,charlotte ,,elliott4 ,how shall we rest in ,god8 ,by giving ourselves wholly to ,him4 ,if you give yourself by halves1 you cannot find full rest2 there will ever be a lurking disquiet in that half which is withheld4 ,martyrs1 confessors1 and saints have tasted this rest1 and counted themselves happy in that they endured4 ,a countless host of ,god's faithful servants have drunk deeply of it under the daily burden of a weary life1--dull1 commonplace1 painful1 or desolate4 ,all that ,god has been to them ,he is ready to be to you4 ,the heart once fairly given to ,god1 with a clear conscience1 a fitting rule of life1 and a steadfast purpose of obedience1 you will find a wonderful sense of rest coming over you4 ,,jean ,,nicolas ,,grou4 ,may #af ,finally1 my brethren1 be strong in the ,lord1 and in the power of ,his might4--,,eph4 vi4 #aj4 ,no man can serve two masters4--,,matt4 vi4 #bd4 ,oh1 there are heavenly heights to reach ,in many a fearful place1 ,where the poor timid heir of ,god ,lies blindly on his face2 ,lies languishing for grace divine ,that he shall never see ,till he go forward at ,thy sign1 ,and trust himself to ,thee4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,reservations lie latent in the mind concerning some unhallowed sentiments or habits in the present1 some possibly impending temptations in the future2 and thus do we cheat ourselves of inward and outward joys together4 ,we give up many an indulgence for conscience' sake1 but stop short at that point of entire faithfulness wherein conscience could reward us4 ,if we would but give ourselves wholly to ,god1--give up1 for the present and the future1 every act1 and1 above all1 every thought and every feeling1 to be all purified to the uttermost1 and rendered the best1 noblest1 holiest we can conceive1--then would sacrifice bear with it a peace rendering itself1 ,i truly believe1 far easier than before4 ,f4 ,p4 ,,cobbe4 ,may #ag ,wherefore comfort yourselves together1 and edify one another1 even as also ye do4--,i ,,thess4 v4 #aa4 ,thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself4--,,matt4 xix4 #ai4 ,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 ,e4 ,b4 ,,browning4 ,what is meant by our neighbor we cannot doubt2 it is every one with whom we are brought into contact4 ,first of all1 he is literally our neighbor who is next to us in our own family and household2 husband to wife1 wife to husband1 parent to child1 brother to sister1 master to servant1 servant to master4 ,then it is he who is close to us in our own neighborhood1 in our own town1 in our own parish1 in our own street4 ,with these all true charity begins4 ,to love and be kind to these is the very beginning of all true religion4 ,but1 besides these1 as our ,lord teaches1 it is every one who is thrown across our path by the changes and chances of life2 he or she1 whosoever it be1 whom we have any means of helping1--the unfortunate stranger whom we may meet in travelling1 the deserted friend whom no one else cares to look after4 ,a4 ,p4 ,,stanley4 ,may #ah ,we know that we have passed from death unto life1 because we love the brethren4--,i ,,john iii4 #ad4 ,he that loveth not knoweth not ,god2 for ,god is love4--,i ,,john iv4 #h4 ,mutual love the token be1 ,lord1 that we belong to ,thee2 ,love1 ,thine image1 love impart2 ,stamp it on our face and heart2 ,only love to us be given2 ,lord1 we ask no other heaven4 ,c ,,wesley4 ,oh1 how many times we can most of us remember when we would gladly have made any compromise with our consciences1 would gladly have made the most costly sacrifices to ,god1 if ,he would only have excused us from this duty of loving1 of which our nature seemed utterly incapable4 ,it is far easier to feel kindly1 to act kindly1 toward those with whom we are seldom brought into contact1 whose tempers and prejudices do not rub against ours1 whose interests do not clash with ours1 than to keep up an habitual1 steady1 self-sacrificing love towards those whose weaknesses and faults are always forcing themselves upon us1 and are stirring up our own4 ,a man may pass good muster as a philanthropist who makes but a poor master to his servants1 or father to his children4 ,f4 ,d4 ,,maurice4 ,may #ai ,rest in the ,lord1 and wait patiently for ,him4--,,ps4 xxxvii4 #g4 ,trust in ,him at all times4--,,ps4 lxii4 #h4 ,dost thou ask when comes ,his hour8 ,then1 when it shall aid thee best4 ,trust ,his faithfulness and power1 ,trust in ,him1 and quiet rest4 ,,anon4 ,i had found communion with ,god to consist1 not only in the silencing of the outward man1 but in the silencing also of every thought1 and in the concentration of the soul and all its powers into a simple1 quiet watching and waiting for the food which its heavenly ,father might see fit either to give or to withhold4 ,in no case could it be sent empty away2 for1 if comfort1 light1 or joy were withheld1 the act of humble waiting at the gate of heavenly wisdom could not but work patience in it1 and thus render it1 by humility and obedience1 more meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light1 and also more blessed in itself4 ,m4 ,a4 ,,kelty4 ,,rest ,,in ,,the ,,lord2 ,,wait ,,patiently ,,for ,,him4 ,in ,hebrew1 be silent to ,god1 and let ,him mould thee4 ,keep still1 and ,he will mould thee to the right shape4 ,,martin ,,luther4 ,may #bj ,to be spiritually minded is life and peace4--,,rom4 viii4 #f4 ,stilled now be every anxious care2 ,see ,god's great goodness everywhere2 ,leave all to ,him in perfect rest3 ,he will do all things for the best4 ,,from ,,the ,,german4 ,we should all endeavor and labor for a calmer spirit1 that we may the better serve ,god in praying to ,him and praising ,him2 and serve one another in love1 that we may be fitted to do and receive good2 that we may make our passage to heaven more easy and cheerful1 without drooping and hanging the wing4 ,so much as we are quiet and cheerful upon good ground1 so much we live1 and are1 as it were1 in heaven4 ,r4 ,,sibbes4 ,possess yourself as much as you possibly can in peace2 not by any effort1 but by letting all things fall to the ground which trouble or excite you4 ,this is no work1 but is1 as it were1 a setting down a fluid to settle that has become turbid through agitation4 ,,madame ,,guyon4 ,may #ba ,the beloved of the ,lord shall dwell in safety by ,him2 and the ,lord shall cover him all the day long4--,,deut4 xxxiii4 #ab4 ,whate'er events betide1 ,thy will they all perform2 ,safe in ,thy breast my head ,i hide1 ,nor fear the coming storm4 ,h4 ,f4 ,,lyte4 ,i have seemed to see a need of everything ,god gives me1 and want nothing that ,he denies me4 ,there is no dispensation1 though afflictive1 but either in it1 or after it1 ,i find that ,i could not be without it4 ,whether it be taken from or not given me1 sooner or later ,god quiets me in ,himself without it4 ,i cast all my concerns on the ,lord1 and live securely on the care and wisdom of my heavenly ,father4 ,my ways1 you know1 are1 in a sense1 hedged up with thorns1 and grow darker and darker daily2 but yet ,i distrust not my good ,god in the least1 and live more quietly in the absence of all by faith1 than ,i should do1 ,i am persuaded1 if ,i possessed them4 ,,joseph ,,eliot1 #affd4 ,may #bb ,he that dwelleth in the secret place of the ,most ,high shall abide under the shadow of the ,almighty4--,,ps4 xci4 ,i4 ,they who on the ,lord rely1 ,safely dwell though danger's nigh2 ,lo6 ,his sheltering wings are spread ,o'er each faithful servant's head4 ,when they wake1 or when they sleep1 ,angel guards their vigils keep2 ,death and danger may be near1 ,faith and love have nought to fear4 ,,harriet ,,auber4 ,there shall no evil befall thee1 neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling1 is a promise to the fullest extent verified in the case of all who dwell in the secret place of the ,most ,high4 ,to them sorrows are not evils1 sicknesses are not plagues2 the shadow of the ,almighty extending far around those who abide under it1 alters the character of all things which come within its influence4 ,,anon4 ,it is faith's work to claim and challenge loving-kindness out of all the roughest strokes of ,god4 ,s4 ,,rutherford4 ,,may #bc ,be content with such things as ye have4--,,heb4 xiii4 #e4 ,i have learned1 in whatsoever state ,i am1 therein to be content4--,,phil4 iv4 #aa 7 ,r4 ,v474 ,no longer forward nor behind ,i look in hope or fear2 ,but1 grateful1 take the good ,i find1 ,the best of now and here4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,if we wished to gain contentment1 we might try such rules as these3-- #a4 ,allow thyself to complain of nothing1 not even of the weather4 #b4 ,never picture thyself to thyself under any circumstances in which thou art not4 #c4 ,never compare thine own lot with that of another4 #d4 ,never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been1 or were1 otherwise than it was1 or is4 ,god ,almighty loves thee better and more wisely than thou dost thyself4 #e4 ,never dwell on the morrow4 ,remember that it is ,god's1 not thine4 ,the heaviest part of sorrow often is to look forward to it4 ,the ,lord will provide4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,may #bd ,now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous1 but grievous3 nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby4--,,heb4 xii4 ,i#a4 ,i cannot say1 ,beneath the pressure of life's cares to-day1 ,i joy in these2 ,but ,i can say ,that ,i had rather walk this rugged way1 ,if ,him it please4 ,s4 ,g4 ,,browning4 ,the particular annoyance which befell you this morning2 the vexatious words which met your ear and grieved your spirit2 the disappointment which was ,his appointment for to-day2 the slight but hindering ailment2 the presence of some one who is a grief of mind to you1--whatever this day seemeth not joyous1 but grievous1 is linked in the good pleasure of ,his goodness with a corresponding afterward of peaceable fruit1 the very seed from which1 if you only do not choke it1 this shall spring and ripen4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,may #be ,o my ,father1 if it be possible1 let this cup pass from me3 nevertheless not as ,i will1 but as ,thou wilt4--,,matt4 xxvi4 #ci4 ,o ,lord my ,god1 do ,thou ,thy holy will1-- ,i will lie still4 ,i will not stir1 lest ,i forsake ,thine arm1 ,and break the charm ,which lulls me1 clinging to my ,father's breast1 ,in perfect rest4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,resignation to the will of ,god is the whole of piety2 it includes in it all that is good2 and is a source of the most settled quiet and composure of mind4 ,our resignation to the will of ,god may be said to be perfect1 when our will is lost and resolved up into ,his2 when we rest in ,his will as our end1 as being itself most just1 and right1 and good4 ,and where is the impossibility of such an affection to what is just and right and good1 such a loyalty of heart to the ,governor of the universe1 as shall prevail over all sinister indirect desires of our own8 ,,joseph ,,butler4 ,there are no disappointments to those whose wills are buried in the will of ,god4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,lord1 ,thy will be done in father1 mother1 child1 in everything and everywhere2 without a reserve1 without a ,,but1 an ,,if1 or a limit4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,may #bf ,the ,lord beareth your murmurings1 which ye murmur against ,him4--,,ex4 xvi4 #h4 ,without murmur1 uncomplaining ,in ,his hand1 ,leave whatever things thou canst not ,understand4 ,k4 ,r4 ,,hagenbach4 ,one great characteristic of holiness is never to be exacting--never to complain4 ,each complaint drags us down a degree1 in our upward course4 ,if you would discern in whom ,god's spirit dwells1 watch that person1 and notice whether you ever hear him murmur4 ,,gold ,,dust4 ,when we wish things to be otherwise than they are1 we lose sight of the great practical parts of the life of godliness4 ,we wish1 and wish--when1 if we have done all that lies on us1 we should fall quietly into the hands of ,god4 ,such wishing cuts the very sinews of our privileges and consolations4 ,you are leaving me for a time2 and you say that you wish you could leave me better1 or leave me with some assistance3 but1 if it is right for you to go1 it is right for me to meet what lies on me1 without a wish that ,i had less to meet1 or were better able to meet it4 ,r4 ,,cecil4 ,may #bg ,he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much4--,,luke xvi1 #aj4 ,the ,lord preserveth the faithful4--,,ps4 xxxi4 #bc ,the trivial round1 the common task1 ,would furnish all we ought to ask2 ,room to deny ourselves2 a road ,to bring us1 daily1 nearer ,god4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,exactness in little duties is a wonderful source of cheerfulness4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,the unremitting retention of simple and high sentiments in obscure duties is hardening the character to that temper which will work with honor1 if need be1 in the tumult or on the scaffold4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,we are too fond of our own will4 ,we want to be doing what we fancy mighty things2 but the great point is1 to do small things1 when called to them1 in a right spirit4 ,r4 ,,cecil4 ,it is not on great occasions only that we are required to be faithful to the will of ,god2 occasions constantly occur1 and we should be surprised to perceive how much our spiritual advancement depends on small obediences4 ,,madame ,,swetchine4 ,may #bh ,strengthened with all might1 according to ,his glorious power1 unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness4--,,col4 ,i4 #aa4 ,god doth not need ,either man's works or ,his own gifts2 who best ,bear ,his mild yoke1 they serve ,him best2 ,his state ,is kingly2 thousands at ,his bidding speed1 ,and post o'er land and ocean without rest2 ,they also serve who only stand and wait4 ,j4 ,,milton4 ,we cannot always be doing a great work1 but we can always be doing something that belongs to our condition4 ,to be silent1 to suffer1 to pray when we cannot act1 is acceptable to ,god4 ,a disappointment1 a contradiction1 a harsh word1 an annoyance1 a wrong received and endured as in ,his presence1 is worth more than a long prayer2 and we do not lose time if we bear its loss with gentleness and patience1 provided the loss was inevitable1 and was not caused by our own fault4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,may #bi ,be not slothful1 but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises4--,,heb4 vi4 #ab4 ,where now with pain thou treadest1 trod ,the whitest of the saints of ,god6 ,to show thee where their feet were set1 ,the light which led them shineth yet4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,,let us learn from this communion of saints to live in hope4 ,those who are now at rest were once like ourselves4 ,they were once weak1 faulty1 sinful2 they had their burdens and hindrances1 their slumbering and weariness1 their failures and their falls4 ,but now they have overcome4 ,their life was once homely and common-place4 ,their day ran out as ours4 ,morning and noon and night came and went to them as to us4 ,their life1 too1 was as lonely and sad as yours4 ,little fretful circumstances and frequent disturbing changes wasted away their hours as yours4 ,there is nothing in your life that was not in theirs2 there was nothing in theirs but may be also in your own4 ,they have overcome1 each one1 and one by one2 each in his turn1 when the day came1 and ,god called him to the trial4 ,and so shall you likewise4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,may #cj ,and thus this man died1 leaving his death for an example of a noble courage1 and a memorial of virtue1 not only unto young men1 but unto all his nation4--#b ,,mac4 vi4 #ca4 ,zebulon and ,naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field4--,,judges v4 #ah4 ,though ,love repine1 and ,reason chafe1 ,there came a voice without reply1-- ',tis man's perdition to be safe1 ,when for the truth he ought to die4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,some say that the age of chivalry is past4 ,the age of chivalry is never past1 so long as there is a wrong left unredressed on earth1 or a man or woman left to say1 ,i will redress that wrong1 or spend my life in the attempt4 ,the age of chivalry is never past1 so long as we have faith enough to say1 ,god will help me to redress that wrong2 or1 if not me1 ,he will help those that come after me1 for ,his eternal ,will is to overcome evil with good4 ,c4 ,,kingsley4 ,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 guide4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,may #ca ,let all those that put their trust in ,thee rejoice3 444 let them also that love ,thy name be joyful in ,thee4--,,ps4 v4 #aa4 ,he maketh me to lie down in green pastures4--,,ps4 xxiii4 #b4 ,i can hear these violets chorus ,to the sky's benediction above2 ,and we all are together lying ,on the bosom of ,infinite ,love4 ,oh1 the peace at the heart of ,nature6 ,oh1 the light that is not of day6 ,why seek it afar forever1 ,when it cannot be lifted away8 ,w4 ,c4 ,,gannett4 ,what inexpressible joy for me1 to look up through the apple-blossoms and the fluttering leaves1 and to see ,god's love there2 to listen to the thrush that has built his nest among them1 and to feel ,god's love1 who cares for the birds1 in every note that swells his little throat2 to look beyond to the bright blue depths of the sky1 and feel they are a canopy of blessing1--the roof of the house of my ,father2 that if clouds pass over it1 it is the unchangeable light they veil2 that1 even when the day itself passes1 ,i shall see that the night itself only unveils new worlds of light2 and to know that if ,i could unwrap fold after fold of ,god's universe1 ,i should only unfold more and more blessing1 and see deeper and deeper into the love which is at the heart of all4 ,,elizabeth ,,charles4 ,june #a ,one thing have ,i desired of the ,lord1 that will ,i seek after2 that ,i may dwell in the house of the ,lord all the days of my life1 to behold the beauty of the ,lord1 and to enquire in ,his temple4--,,ps4 xxvii4 #d4 ,thy beauty1 ,o my ,father6 ,all is ,thine2 ,but there is beauty in ,thyself1 from whence ,the beauty ,thou hast made doth ever flow ,in streams of never-failing affluence4 ,thou art the ,temple6 and though ,i am lame1-- ,lame from my birth1 and shall be till ,i die1-- ,i enter through the ,gate called ,beautiful1 ,and am alone with ,thee1 ,o ,thou ,most ,high6 ,j4 ,w4 ,,chadwick4 ,consider that all which appears beautiful outwardly1 is solely derived from the invisible ,spirit which is the source of that external beauty1 and say joyfully1 ,behold1 these are streamlets from the uncreated ,fountain2 behold1 these are drops from the infinite ,ocean of all good6 ,oh6 how does my inmost heart rejoice at the thought of that eternal1 infinite ,beauty1 which is the source and origin of all created beauty6 ,l4 ,,scupoli4 ,june #b ,we all1 with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the ,lord1 are changed into the same image from glory to glory1 even as by the ,spirit of the ,lord4--#b ,,cor4 iii4 #ah4 ,then every tempting form of sin1 ,shamed in ,thy presence1 disappears1 ,and all the glowing1 raptured soul ,the likeness it contemplates wears4 ,p4 ,,doddridge4 ,then does a good man become the tabernacle of ,god1 wherein the divine ,shechinah does rest1 and which the divine glory fills1 when the frame of his mind and life is wholly according to that idea and pattern which he receives from the mount4 ,we best glorify ,him when we grow most like to ,him3 and we then act most for ,his glory1 when a true spirit of sanctity1 justice1 and meekness1 runs through all our actions2 when we so live in the world as becomes those that converse with the great ,mind and ,wisdom of the whole world1 with that ,almighty ,spirit that made1 supports1 and governs all things1 with that ,being from whence all good flows1 and in which there is no spot1 stain1 or shadow of evil2 and so being captivated and overcome by the sense of the ,divine loveliness and goodness1 endeavor to be like ,him1 and conform ourselves1 as much as may be1 to ,him4 ,,dr4 ,,john ,,smith4 ,june #c ,the righteous shall be glad in the ,lord1 and shall trust in ,him4--,,ps4 lxiv4 #aj4 ,whoso trusteth in the ,lord1 happy is he4--,,prov4 xvi4 #bj4 ,the heart that trusts forever sings1 ,and feels as light as it had wings1 ,a well of peace within it springs1-- ,come good or ill1 ,whatever to-day1 to-morrow brings1 ,it is ,his will4 ,i4 ,,williams4 ,he will weave no longer a spotted life of shreds and patches1 but he will live with a divine unity4 ,he will cease from what is base and frivolous in his life1 and be content with all places1 and with any service he can render4 ,he will calmly front the morrow1 in the negligency of that trust which carries ,god with it1 and so hath already the whole future in the bottom of the heart4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,he who believes in ,god is not careful for the morrow1 but labors joyfully and with a great heart4 ,for ,he giveth ,his beloved1 as in sleep4 ,they must work and watch1 yet never be careful or anxious1 but commit all to ,him1 and live in serene tranquillity2 with a quiet heart1 as one who sleeps safely and quietly4 ,,martin ,,luther4 ,june #d ,therefore1 my beloved brethren1 be ye stedfast1 unmoveable1 always abounding in the work of the ,lord1 forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the ,lord4--,i ,,cor4 xv4 #eh4 ,say not1 ',twas all in vain1 ,the anguish and the darkness and the strife2 ,love thrown upon the waters comes again ,in quenchless yearnings for a nobler life4 ,,anna ,,shipton4 ,did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly toward an object 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 them1--that it was a vain endeavor8 ,h4 ,d4 ,,thoreau4 ,do right1 and ,god's recompense to you will be the power of doing more right4 ,give1 and ,god's reward to you will be the spirit of giving more3 a 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 ,heaven--love is ,god within you4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,june #e ,speak1 ,lord2 for ,thy servant heareth4--,i ,,sam4 iii4 #i4 ,though heralded with nought of fear1 ,or outward sign or show3 ,though only to the inward ear ,it whispers soft and low2 ,though dropping1 as the manna fell1 ,unseen1 yet from above1 ,noiseless as dew-fall1 heed it well1-- ,thy ,father's call of love4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,this is one result of the attitude into which we are put by humility1 by disinterestedness1 by purity1 by calmness1 that we have the opportunity1 the disengagement1 the silence1 in which we may watch what is the will of ,god concerning us4 ,if we think no more of ourselves than we ought to think1 if we seek not our own but others' welfare1 if we are prepared to take all things as ,god's dealings with us1 then we may have a chance of catching from time to time what ,god has to tell us4 ,in the ,mussulman devotions1 one constant gesture is to put the hands to the ears1 as if to listen for the messages from the other world4 ,this is the attitude1 the posture which our minds assume1 if we have a standing-place above and beyond the stir and confusion and dissipation of this mortal world4 ,a4 ,p4 ,,stanley4 ,june #f ,him that overcometh will ,i make a pillar in the temple of my ,god4--,,rev4 iii4 #ab4 ,in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of ,god through the ,spirit4--,,eph4 ii4 #bb4 ,none the place ordained refuseth1 ,they are one1 and they are all1 ,living stones1 the ,builder chooseth ,for the courses of ,his wall4 ,,jean ,,ingelow4 ,slowly1 through all the universe1 that temple of ,god is being built4 ,wherever1 in any world1 a soul1 by free-willed obedience1 catches the fire of ,god's likeness1 it is set into the growing walls1 a living stone4 ,when1 in your hard fight1 in your tiresome drudgery1 or in your terrible temptation1 you catch the purpose of your being1 and give yourself to ,god1 and so give ,him the chance to give ,himself to you1 your life1 a living stone1 is taken up and set into that growing wall4 ,wherever souls are being tried and ripened1 in whatever commonplace and homely ways2--there ,god is hewing out the pillars for ,his temple4 ,oh1 if the stone can only have some vision of the temple of which it is to be a part forever1 what patience must fill it as it feels the blows of the hammer1 and knows that success for it is simply to let itself be wrought into what shape the ,master wills4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,june #g ,ye are all the children of light1 and the children of the day4--,i ,,thess4 v4 #e4 ,light is sown for the righteous1 and gladness for the upright in heart4--,,ps4 xcvii4 #aa4 ,serene will be our days and bright1 ,and happy will our nature be1 ,when love is an unerring light1 ,and joy its own security4 ,w4 ,,wordsworth4 ,nothing can produce so great a serenity of life1 as a mind free from guilt1 and kept untainted1 not only from actions1 but purposes that are wicked4 ,by this means the soul will be not only unpolluted1 but not disturbed2 the fountain will run clear and unsullied1 and the streams that flow from it will be just and honest deeds1 ecstasies of satisfaction1 a brisk energy of spirit1 which makes a man an enthusiast in his joy1 and a tenacious memory1 sweeter than hope4 ,for as shrubs which are cut down with the morning dew upon them do for a long time after retain their fragrancy1 so the good actions of a wise man perfume his mind1 and leave a rich scent behind them4 ,so that joy is1 as it were1 watered with these essences1 and owes its flourishing to them4 ,,plutarch4 ,june #h ,who hath despised the day of small things8 ,,zech4 iv4 #aj4 ,little things ,on little wings ,bear little souls to heaven4 ,,anon4 ,an occasional effort even of an ordinary holiness may accomplish great acts of sacrifice1 or bear severe pressure of unwonted trial1 specially if it be the subject of observation4 ,but constant discipline in unnoticed ways1 and the spirit's silent unselfishness1 becoming the hidden habit of the life1 give to it its true saintly beauty1 and this is the result of care and lowly love in little things4 ,perfection is attained most readily by this constancy of religious faithfulness in all minor details of life1 consecrating the daily efforts of self-forgetting love4 ,t4 ,t4 ,,carter4 ,love's secret is to be always doing things for ,god1 and not to mind because they are such very little ones4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,there may be living and habitual conversation in heaven1 under the aspect of the most simple1 ordinary life4 ,let us always remember that holiness does not consist in doing uncommon things1 but in doing everything with purity of heart4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,june #i ,he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty2 and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city4--,,prov4 xvi4 #cb4 ,purge from our hearts the stains so deep and foul1 ,of wrath and pride and care2 ,send ,thine own holy calm upon the soul1 ,and bid it settle there6 ,,anon4 ,let this truth be present to thee in the excitement of anger1--that to be moved by passion is not manly1 but that mildness and gentleness1 as they are more agreeable to human nature1 so also are they more manly4 ,for in the same degree in which a man's mind is nearer to freedom from all passion1 in the same degree also is it nearer to strength4 ,,marcus ,,antoninus4 ,it is no great matter to associate with the good and gentle1 for this is naturally pleasing to all1 and every one willingly enjoyeth peace1 and loveth those best that agree with him4 ,but to be able to live peaceably with hard and perverse persons1 or with the disorderly1 or with such as go contrary to us1 is a great grace1 and a most commendable and manly thing4 ,,thomas ,,kempis4 ,june #aj ,who is among you that feareth the ,lord1 that obeyeth the voice of ,his servant1 that walketh in darkness1 and hath no light8 let him trust in the name of the ,lord1 and stay upon his ,god4--,,isa4 ,i4 #aj4 ,the ,lord my ,god will enlighten my darkness4--,,ps4 xviii4 #bh4 ,when we in darkness walk1 ,nor feel the heavenly flame1 ,then is the time to trust our ,god1 ,and rest upon ,his name4 ,a4 ,m4 ,,toplady4 ,he has an especial tenderness of love towards thee for that thou art in the dark and hast no light1 and ,his heart is glad when thou dost arise and say1 ,i will go to my ,father4 ,for ,he sees thee through all the gloom through which thou canst not see ,him4 ,say to ,him1 ,my ,god1 ,i am very dull and low and hard2 but ,thou art wise and high and tender1 and ,thou art my ,god4 ,i am ,thy child4 ,forsake me not4 ,then fold the arms of thy faith1 and wait in quietness until light goes up in the darkness4 ,fold the arms of thy ,faith1 ,i say1 but not of thy ,action3 bethink thee of something that thou oughtest to do1 and go and do it1 if it be but the sweeping of a room1 or the preparing of a meal1 or a visit to a friend2 heed not thy feelings3 do thy work4 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,june #aa ,in the day when ,i cried ,thou answeredst me1 and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul4--,,ps4 cxxxviii4 #c4 ,it is not that ,i feel less weak1 but ,thou ,wilt be my strength2 it is not that ,i see ,less sin2 but more of pardoning love with ,thee1 ,and all-sufficient grace4 ,enough6 ,and now ,all fluttering thought is stilled2 ,i only rest1 ,and feel that ,thou art near1 and know that ,i am blest4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,yea1 though thou canst not believe1 yet be not dismayed thereat2 only do thou sink into1 or at least pant after the hidden measure of life1 which is not in that which distresseth1 disturbeth1 and filleth thee with thoughts1 fears1 troubles1 anguish1 darknesses1 terrors1 and the like2 no1 no6 but in that which inclines to the patience1 to the stillness1 to the hope1 to the waiting1 to the silence before the ,father4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,we have only to be patient1 to pray1 and to do ,his will1 according to our present light and strength1 and the growth of the soul will go on4 ,the plant grows in the mist and under clouds as truly as under sunshine4 ,so does the heavenly principle within4 ,w4 ,e4 ,,channing4 ,june #ab ,then answered he me1 and said1 ,this is the condition of the battle which man that is born upon the earth shall fight2 that1 if he be overcome1 he shall suffer as thou hast said3 but if he get the victory1 he shall receive the thing that ,i say4--#b ,,esdras vii4 #eg1 #eh4 ,one holy ,church1 one army strong1 ,one steadfast high intent1 ,one working band1 one harvest-song1 ,one ,king omnipotent4 ,s4 ,,johnson4 ,we listened to a man whom we felt to be1 with all his heart and soul and strength1 striving against whatever was mean and unmanly and unrighteous in our little world4 ,it was not the cold clear voice of one giving advice and warning from serene heights to those who were struggling and sinning below1 but the warm living voice of one who was fighting for us and by our sides1 and calling on us to help him and ourselves and one another4 ,and so1 wearily and little by little1 but surely and steadily on the whole1 was brought home to the young boy1 for the first time1 the meaning of his life2 that it was no fool's or sluggard's paradise into which he had wandered by chance1 but a battle-field ordained from of old1 where there are no spectators1 but the youngest must take his side1 and the stakes are life and death4 ,,thomas ,,hughes4 ,june #ac ,if we walk in the light as ,he is in the light1 we have fellowship one with another4--,i ,,john i4 #g4 ,god is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love1 which ye have showed toward ,his name1 in that ye have ministered to the saints1 and do minister4--,,heb4 vi4 #aj4 ,wherever in the world ,i am1 ,in whatsoe'er estate1 ,i have a fellowship with hearts1 ,to keep and cultivate1 ,and a work of lowly love to do ,for the ,lord on whom ,i wait4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,we do not always perceive that even the writing of a note of congratulation1 the fabrication of something intended as an offering of affection1 our necessary intercourse with characters which have no congeniality with our own1 or hours apparently trifled away in the domestic circle1 may be made by us the performance of a most sacred and blessed work2 even the carrying out1 after our feeble measure1 of the design of ,god for-the increase of happiness4 ,,sarah ,w4 ,,stephen4 ,definite work is not always that which is cut and squared for us1 but that which comes as a claim upon the conscience1 whether it's nursing in a hospital1 or hemming a handkerchief4 ,,elizabeth ,m4 ,,sewell4 ,june #ad ,the ,lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow1 and from thy fear1 and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve4--,,isa4 xiv4 #c4 ,to-day1 beneath ,thy chastening eye1 ,i crave alone for peace and rest2 ,submissive in ,thy hand to lie1 ,and feel that it is best4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,o ,lord1 who art as the ,shadow of a great ,rock in a weary land1 who beholdest ,thy weak creatures weary of labor1 weary of pleasure1 weary of hope deferred1 weary of self2 in ,thine abundant compassion1 and unutterable tenderness1 bring us1 ,i pray ,thee1 unto ,thy rest4 ,amen4 ,,christina ,g4 ,,rossetti4 ,grant to me above all things that can be desired1 to rest in ,thee1 and in ,thee to have my heart at peace4 ,thou art the true peace of the heart1 ,thou its only rest2 out of ,thee all things are hard and restless4 ,in this very peace1 that is1 in ,thee1 the ,one ,chiefest ,eternal ,good1 ,i will sleep and rest4 ,amen4 ,,thomas ,,kempis4 ,thou hast made us for ,thyself1 ,o ,lord2 and our heart is restless until it rests in ,thee4 ,,st4 ,,augustine4 ,june #ae ,god is our refuge and strength1 a very present help in trouble4 ,therefore will not we fear1 though the earth be removed1 and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea4--,,ps4 xlvi4 #a1b4 ,though waves and storms go o'er my head1 ,though strength and health and friends be gone1 ,though joys be withered all1 and dead1 ,though every comfort be withdrawn1 ,on this my steadfast soul relies1-- ,father6 ,thy mercy never dies4 ,,johann ,a4 ,,rothe4 ,your external circumstances may change1 toil may take the place of rest1 sickness of health1 trials may thicken within and without4 ,externally1 you are the prey of such circumstances2 but if your heart is stayed on ,god1 no changes or chances can touch it1 and all that may befall you will but draw you closer to ,him4 ,whatever the present moment may bring1 your knowledge that it is ,his will1 and that your future heavenly life will be influenced by it1 will make all not only tolerable1 but welcome to you1 while no vicissitudes can affect you greatly1 knowing that ,he who holds you in ,his powerful hand cannot change1 but abideth forever4 ,,jean ,,nicolas ,,grou4 ,june #af ,now unto ,him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think1 according to the power that worketh in us1 unto ,him be glory in the church by ,christ ,jesus throughout all ages1 world without end4 ,amen4--,,eph4 iii4 #bj1 #ba4 ,we would not meagre gifts down-call ,when ,thou dost yearn to yield us all2 ,but for this life1 this little hour1 ,ask all ,thy love and care and power4 ,j4 ,,ingelow4 ,god so loveth us that ,he would make all things channels to us and messengers of ,his love4 ,do for ,his sake deeds of love1 and ,he will give thee ,his love4 ,still thyself1 thy own cares1 thy own thoughts for ,him1 and ,he will speak to thy heart4 ,ask for ,himself1 and ,he will give thee ,himself4 ,truly1 a secret hidden thing is the love of ,god1 known only to them who seek it1 and to them also secret1 for what man can have of it here is how slight a foretaste of that endless ocean of ,his love6 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,june #ag ,consider the lilies of the field1 how they grow4--,,matt4 vi4 #bh4 ,they do not toil3 ,content with their allotted task ,they do but grow2 they do not ask ,a richer lot1 a higher sphere1 ,but in their loveliness appear1 ,and grow1 and smile1 and do their best1 ,and unto ,god they leave the rest4 ,,marianne ,,farningham4 ,interpose no barrier to ,his mighty life-giving power1 working in you all the good pleasure of ,his will4 ,yield yourself up utterly to ,his sweet control4 ,put your growing into ,his hands as completely as you have put all your other affairs4 ,suffer ,him to manage it as ,he will4 ,do not concern yourself about it1 nor even think of it4 ,trust ,him absolutely and always4 ,accept each moment's dispensation as it comes to you from ,his dear hands1 as being the needed sunshine or dew for that moment's growth4 ,say a continual yes to your ,father's will4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,thine own self-will and anxiety1 thy hurry and labor1 disturb thy peace1 and prevent ,me from working in thee4 ,look at the little flowers1 in the serene summer days2 they quietly open their petals1 and the sun shines into them with his gentle influences4 ,so will ,i do for thee1 if thou wilt yield thyself to ,me4 ,g4 ,,tersteegen1 ,june #ah ,wherefore1 if ,god so clothe the grass of the field1 which to-day is1 and to-morrow is cast into the oven1 shall ,he not much more clothe you1 ,o ye of little faith8--,,matt4 vi4 #cj4 ,i trust in the mercy of ,god for ever and ever--,,ps4 lii4 #h4 ,calmly we look behind us1 on joys and sorrows past1 ,we know that all is mercy now1 and shall be well at last2 ,calmly we look before us1--we fear no future ill1 ,enough for safety and for peace1 if ,thou art with us still4 ,,jane ,,borthwick4 ,neither go back in fear and misgiving to the past1 nor in anxiety and forecasting to the future2 but lie quiet under ,his hand1 having no will but ,his4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,i saw a delicate flower had grown up two feet high1 between the horses' path and the wheel-track4 ,an inch more to right or left had sealed its fate1 or an inch higher2 and yet it lived to flourish as much as if it had a thousand acres of untrodden space around it1 and never knew the danger it incurred4 ,it did not borrow trouble1 nor invite an evil fate by apprehending it4 ,,henry ,d4 ,,thoreau4 ,june #ai ,the ,lord shall preserve thee from all evil3 ,he shall preserve thy soul4--,,ps4 cxxi4 #g4 ,under ,thy wings1 my ,god1 ,i rest1 ,under ,thy shadow safely lie2 ,by ,thy own strength in peace possessed1 ,while dreaded evils pass me by4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,a heart rejoicing in ,god delights in all ,his will1 and is surely provided with the most firm joy in all estates2 for if nothing can come to pass beside or against ,his will1 then cannot that soul be vexed which delights in ,him and hath no will but ,his1 but follows ,him in all times1 in all estates2 not only when ,he shines bright on them1 but when they are clouded4 ,that flower which follows the sun doth so even in dark and cloudy days3 when it doth not shine forth1 yet it follows the hidden course and motion of it4 ,so the soul that moves after ,god keeps that course when ,he hides ,his face2 is content1 yea1 even glad at ,his will in all estates or conditions or events4 ,r4 ,,leighton4 ,let ,god do with me what ,he will1 anything ,he will2 whatever it be1 it will be either heaven itself or some beginning of it4 ,,wm4 ,,mountford4 ,june #bj ,be merciful unto me1 ,o ,god1 be merciful unto me2 for my soul trusteth in ,thee3 yea1 in the shadow of ,thy wings will ,i make my refuge1 until these calamities be overpast4--,,ps4 lvii4 ,i4 ,my ,god6 in whom are all the springs ,of boundless love and grace unknown1 ,hide me beneath ,thy spreading wings1 ,till the dark cloud is overblown4 ,i4 ,,watts4 ,in time of trouble go not out of yourself to seek for aid2 for the whole benefit of trial consists in silence1 patience1 rest1 and resignation4 ,in this condition divine strength is found for the hard warfare1 because ,god ,himself fights for the soul4 ,m4 ,,de ,,molinos4 ,in vain will you let your mind run out after help in times of trouble2 it is like putting to sea in a storm4 ,sit still1 and feel after your principles2 and1 if you find none that furnish you with somewhat of a stay and prop1 and which point you to quietness and silent submission1 depend upon it you have never yet learned ,truth from the ,spirit of ,truth1 whatever notions thereof you may have picked up from this and the other description of it4 ,m4 ,a4 ,,kelty4 ,june #ba ,thou calledst in trouble1 and4 ,i delivered thee4--,,ps4 lxxxi4 #g4 ,be strong1 and of good courage2 dread not1 nor be dismayed4--,i ,,chron4 xxii4 #ac4 ,thou canst calm the troubled mind1 ,thou its dread canst still2 ,teach me to be all resigned ,to my ,father's will4 ,,heinrich ,,puchta4 ,though this patient1 meek resignation is to be exercised with regard to all outward things and occurrences of life1 yet it chiefly respects our own inward state1 the troubles1 perplexities1 weaknesses1 and disorders of our own souls4 ,and to stand turned to a patient1 meek1 humble resignation to ,god1 when your own impatience1 wrath1 pride1 and irresignation attack yourself1 is a higher and more beneficial performance of this duty1 than when you stand turned to meekness and patience1 when attacked by the pride1 or wrath1 or disorderly passions of other people4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,june #bb ,there hath no temptation taken you1 but such as is common to man3 but ,god is faithful1 who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able2 but will with the temptation also make a way to escape1 that ye may be able to bear it4--,i ,,cor4 x4 #ac1 #ad4 ,not so1 not so1 no load of woe ,need bring despairing frown2 ,for while we bear it1 we can bear1 ,past that1 we lay it down4 ,,sarah ,,williams4 ,everything which happens1 either happens in such wise that them art formed by nature to bear it1 or that thou art not formed by nature to bear it4 ,if then1 it happens to thee in such way that thou art formed by nature to bear it1 do not complain1 but bear it as thou art formed by nature to bear it4 ,but1 if it happens in such wise that thou art not able to bear it1 do not complain2 for it will perish after it has consumed thee4 ,remember1 however1 that thou art formed by nature to bear everything1 with respect to which it depends on thy own opinion to make it endurable and tolerable1 by thinking that it is either thy interest or thy duty to do this4 ,,marcus ,,antoninus4 ,june #bc ,why art than cast down1 ,o my soul8 and why art thou disquieted within me8 hope thou in ,god2 for ,i shall yet praise ,him1 who is the health of my countenance1 and my ,god4--,,ps4 xlii4 #aa4 ,ah6 why by passing clouds oppressed1 ,should vexing thoughts distract thy breast8 ,turn thou to ,him in every pain1 ,whom never suppliant sought in vain2 ,thy strength in joy's ecstatic day1 ,thy hope1 when joy has passed away4 ,h4 ,f4 ,,lyte4 ,beware of letting your care degenerate into anxiety and unrest2 tossed as you are amid the winds and waves of sundry troubles1 keep your eyes fixed on the ,lord1 and say1 ,oh1 my ,god1 ,i look to ,thee alone2 be ,thou my guide1 my pilot2 and then be comforted4 ,when the shore is gained1 who will heed the toil and the storm8 ,and we shall steer safely through every storm1 so long as our heart is right1 our intention fervent1 our courage steadfast1 and our trust fixed on ,god4 ,if at times we are somewhat stunned by the tempest1 never fear2 let us take breath1 and go on afresh4 ,do not be disconcerted by the fits of vexation and uneasiness which are sometimes produced by the multiplicity of your domestic worries4 ,no indeed1 dearest child1 all these are but opportunities of strengthening yourself in the loving1 forbearing graces which our dear ,lord sets before us4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,june #bd ,even so1 ,father2 for so it seemed good in ,thy sight4--,,matt4 xi4 #bf4 ,let nothing make thee sad or fretful1 ,or too regretful2 ,be still2 ,what ,god hath ordered must be right1 ,then find in it thine own delight1 ,my will4 ,p4 ,,flemming4 ,if we listen to our self-love1 we shall estimate our lot less by what it is1 than by what it is not2 shall dwell on its hindrances1 and be blind to its possibilities2 and1 comparing it only with imaginary lives1 shall indulge in flattering dreams of what we should do1 if we had but power2 and give1 if we had but wealth2 and be1 if we had no temptations4 ,we shall be forever querulously pleading our difficulties and privations as excuses for our unloving temper and unfruitful life2 and fancying ourselves injured beings1 virtually frowning at the dear ,providence that loves us1 and chafing with a self-torture which invites no pity4 ,if we yield ourselves unto ,god1 and sincerely accept our lot as assigned by ,him1 we shall count up its contents1 and disregard its omissions2 and be it as feeble as a cripple's1 and as narrow as a child's1 shall find in it resources of good surpassing our best economy1 and sacred claims that may keep awake our highest will4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,june #be ,my times are in ,thy hand4--,,ps4 xxxi4 #ae4 ,every purpose of the ,lord shall be performed4--,,jer4 li4 #bi4 ,i am so glad6 ,it is such rest to know ,that ,thou hast ordered and appointed all1 ,and wilt yet order and appoint my lot4 ,for though so much ,i cannot understand1 ,and would not choose1 has been1 and yet may be1 ,thou choosest1 ,thou performest1 ,,thou1 my ,lord4 ,this is enough for me4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,we mustn't be in a hurry to fix and choose our own lot2 we must wait to be guided4 ,we are led on1 like the little children1 by a way that we know not4 ,it is a vain thought to flee from the work that ,god appoints us1 for the sake of finding a greater blessing to our own souls2 as if we could choose for ourselves where we shall find the fulness of the ,divine ,presence1 instead of seeking it where alone it is to be found1 in loving obedience4 ,,george ,,eliot4 ,everywhere and at all times it is in thy power piously to acquiesce in thy present condition1 and to behave justly to those who are about thee4 ,,marcus ,,antoninus4 ,june #bf ,and when ye stand praying1 forgive1 if ye have ought against any3 that your ,father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses4 ,but if ye do not forgive1 neither will your ,father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses4--,,mark xi4 #be1 #bf4 ',tis not enough to weep my sins1 ',tis but one step to heaven3-- ,when ,i am kind to others1--then ,i know myself forgiven4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,every relation to mankind1 of hate or scorn or neglect1 is full of vexation and torment4 ,there is nothing to do with men but to love them2 to contemplate their virtues with admiration1 their faults with pity and forbearance1 and their injuries with forgiveness4 ,task all the ingenuity of your mind to devise some other thing1 but you never can find it4 ,to hate your adversary will not help you2 to kill him will not help you2 nothing within the compass of the universe can help you1 but to love him4 ,but let that love flow out upon all around you1 and what could harm you8 ,how many a knot of mystery and misunderstanding would be untied by one word spoken in simple and confiding truth of heart6 ,how many a solitary place would be made glad if love were there2 and how many a dark dwelling would be filled with light6 ,,orville ,,dewey4 ,june #bg ,the kingdom of ,god is within you4--,,luke xvii4 #ba4 ,oh1 take this heart that ,i would give ,forever to be all ,thine own2 ,i to myself no more would live1-- ,come1 ,lord1 be ,thou my ,king alone4 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,herein is the work assigned to the individual soul1 to have life in itself1 to make our sphere1 whatever it is1 sufficient for a reign of ,god within ourselves1 for a true and full reign of our ,father's abounding spirit1--thankful1 unutterably thankful1 if with the place and the companionship assigned to us we are permitted to build an earthly tabernacle of grace and goodness and holy love1 a home like a temple2 but1 should this be denied us1 resolved for our own souls that ,god shall reign there1 for ourselves at least that we will not1 by sin or disobedience or impious distrust1 break with our own wills1 our filial connection with our ,father1--that whether joyful or sorrowing1 struggling with the perplexity and foulness of circumstance1 or in an atmosphere of peace1 whether in dear fellowship or alone1 our desire and prayer shall be that ,god may have in us a realm where ,his will is law1 and where obedience and submission spring1 not from calculating prudence or ungodly fear1 but from communion of spirit1 ever humble aspiration1 and ever loving trust4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,june #bh ,the ,lord preserveth the simple4--,,ps4 cxvi4 #f4 ,thy home is with the humble1 ,lord6 ,the simple are ,thy rest2 ,thy lodging is in childlike hearts2 ,thou makest there ,thy nest4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,this deliverance of the soul from all useless and selfish and unquiet cares1 brings to it an unspeakable peace and freedom2 this is true simplicity4 ,this state of entire resignation and perpetual acquiescence produces true liberty2 and this liberty brings perfect simplicity4 ,the soul which knows no self-seeking1 no interested ends1 is thoroughly candid2 it goes straight forward without hindrance2 its path opens daily more and more to perfect day1 in proportion as its self-renunciation and its self-forgetfulness increase2 and its peace1 amid whatever troubles beset it1 will be as boundless as the depths of the sea4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,june #bi ,let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off4--,i ,,kings xx4 #aa4 ,put on the whole armor of ,god4--,,eph4 vi4 #aa4 ,was ,i not girded for the battle-field8 ,bore ,i not helm of pride and glittering sword8 ,behold the fragments of my broken shield1 ,and lend to me ,thy heavenly armor1 ,lord6 ,,anon4 ,oh1 be at least able to say in that day1--,lord1 ,i am no hero4 ,i have been careless1 cowardly1 sometimes all but mutinous4 ,punishment ,i have deserved1 ,i deny it not4 ,but a traitor ,i have never been2 a deserter ,i have never been4 ,i have tried to fight on ,thy side in ,thy battle against evil4 ,i have tried to do the duty which lay nearest me2 and to leave whatever ,thou didst commit to my charge a little better than ,i found it4 ,i have not been good1 but ,i have at least tried to be good4 ,take the will for the deed1 good ,lord4 ,strike not my unworthy name off the roll-call of the noble and victorious army1 which is the blessed company of all faithful people2 and let me1 too1 be found written in the ,book of ,life2 even though ,i stand the lowest and last upon its list4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,,kingsley4 ,june #cj ,and the work of righteousness shall be peace2 and the effect of righteousness1 quietness and assurance forever4--,,isa4 xxxii4 #ag4 ,the heart that ministers for ,thee ,in ,thy own work will rest2 ,and the subject spirit of a child ,can serve ,thy children best4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,it matters not where or what we are1 so we be ,his servants4 ,they are happy who have a wide field and great strength to fulfil ,his missions of compassion2 and they1 too1 are blessed who1 in sheltered homes and narrow ways of duty1 wait upon ,him in lowly services of love4 ,wise or simple1 gifted or slender in knowledge1 in the world's gaze or in hidden paths1 high or low1 encompassed by affections and joys of home1 or lonely and content in ,god alone1 what matters1 so that they bear the seal of the living ,god8 ,blessed company1 unknown to each other1 unknowing even themselves6 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,july #a ,in the morning1 then ye shall see the glory of the ,lord4--,,ex4 xvi4 #g4 ,serving the ,lord2 rejoicing in hope4--,,rom4 xii4 #aa1 #ab4 ,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 you2 ,a hope for me and a hope for you4 ,,susan ,,coolidge4 ,be patient with every one1 but above all with yourself4 ,i mean1 do not be disturbed because of your imperfections1 and always rise up bravely from a fall4 ,i am glad that you make a daily new beginning2 there is no better means of progress in the spiritual life than to be continually beginning afresh1 and never to think that we have done enough4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,because perseverance is so difficult1 even when supported by the grace of ,god1 thence is the value of new beginnings4 ,for new beginnings are the life of perseverance4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,july #b ,herein do ,i exercise myself1 to have always a conscience void of offence toward ,god1 and toward men4--,,acts xxiv4 #af4 ,i will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go3 ,i will guide thee with mine eye4--,,ps4 xxxii4 #h4 ,oh1 keep thy conscience sensitive2 ,no inward token miss2 ,and go where grace entices thee2-- ,perfection lies in this4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,we need only obey4 ,there is guidance for each of us1 and by lowly listening we shall hear the right word4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,the heights of ,christian perfection can only be reached by faithfully each moment following the ,guide who is to lead you there1 and ,he reveals your way to you one step at a time1 in the little things of your daily lives1 asking only on your part that you yield yourselves up to ,his guidance4 ,if then1 in anything you feel doubtful or troubled1 be sure that it is the voice of your ,lord1 and surrender it at once to ,his bidding1 rejoicing with a great joy that ,he has begun thus to lead and guide you4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,july #c ,he shall redeem ,israel from all his iniquities4--,,ps4 cxxx4 #h4 ,be it according to ,thy word2 ,redeem me from all sin2 ,my heart would now receive ,thee1 ,lord1 ,come in1 my ,lord1 come in6 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,when you wake1 or as soon as you are dressed1 offer up your whole self to ,god1 soul and body1 thoughts and purposes and desires1 to be for that day what ,he wills4 ,think of the occasions of the sin likely to befall you1 and go1 as a child1 to your ,father which is in heaven1 and tell ,him in childlike1 simple words1 your trials--in some such simple words as these--,thou knowest1 good ,lord1 that ,i am tempted to--then name the temptations to it1 and the ways in which you sin1 as well as you know them4 ,but1 good ,lord1 for love of ,thee1 ,i would this day keep wholly from all naming the sin and be very naming the opposite grace4 ,i will not1 by ,thy grace1 do one ,n4 act1 or speak one ,n4 word1 or give one ,n4 look1 or harbor one ,n4 thought in my soul4 ,if ,thou allow any of these temptations to come upon me this day1 ,i desire to think1 speak1 and do only what ,thou willest4 ,lord1 without ,thee ,i can do nothing2 with ,thee ,i can do all4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,july #d ,look at the generations of old1 and see2 did ever any trust in the ,lord1 and was confounded8 or did any abide in ,his fear1 and was forsaken8 or whom did ,he ever despise1 that called upon ,him8--,,ecclesiasticus ii4 #aj4 ,remember1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy tender mercies1 and ,thy loving-kindnesses2 for they have been ever of old4--,,ps4 xxv4 #f4 ,my ,father6 see ,i trust the faithfulness displayed of old1 ,i trust the love that never can grow cold-- ,i trust in ,thee4 ,,christian ,,intelligencer4 ,be not so much discouraged in the sight of what is yet to be done1 as comforted in ,his good-will towards thee4 ',tis true1 ,he hath chastened thee with rods and sore afflictions2 but did ,he ever take away ,his loving-kindness from thee8 or did ,his faithfulness ever fail in the sorest1 blackest1 thickest1 darkest night that ever befell thee8 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,,we call ,him the ,god of our fathers2 and we feel that there is some stability at centre1 while we can tell our cares to ,one listening at our right hand1 by whom theirs are remembered and removed4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,july #e ,he stayeth ,his rough wind in the day of the east wind4--,,isa4 xxvii4 #h4 ,a bruised reed shall ,he not break4--,,isa4 xlii4 #c4 ,all my life ,i still have found1 ,and ,i will forget it never2 ,every sorrow hath its bound1 ,and no cross endures forever4 ,all things else have but their day1 ,god's love only lasts for aye4 ,p4 ,,gerhardt4 ,we never have more than we can bear4 ,the present hour we are always able to endure4 ,as our day1 so is our strength4 ,if the trials of many years were gathered into one1 they would overwhelm us2 therefore1 in pity to our little strength1 ,he sends first one1 then another1 then removes both1 and lays on a third1 heavier1 perhaps1 than either2 but all is so wisely measured to our strength that the bruised reed is never broken4 ,we do not enough look at our trials in this continuous and successive view4 ,each one is sent to teach us something1 and altogether they have a lesson which is beyond the power of any to teach alone4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,july #f ,i the ,lord have called thee in righteousness1 and will hold thine hand1 and will keep thee4--,,isa4 xlii4 #f4 ,o keep my soul1 and deliver me3 for ,i put my trust in ,thee4--,,ps4 xxv4 #bj4 ,i do not ask my cross to understand1 ,my way to see2 ,better in darkness just to feel ,thy hand1 ,and follow ,thee4 ,,adelaide ,a4 ,,procter4 ,o ,lord1 if only my will may remain right and firm towards ,thee1 do with me whatsoever it shall please ,thee4 ,for it cannot be anything but good1 whatsoever ,thou shalt do with me4 ,if it be ,thy will ,i should be in darkness1 be ,thou blessed2 and1 if it be ,thy will ,i should be in light1 be ,thou again blessed4 ,if ,thou vouchsafe to comfort me1 be ,thou blessed2 and1 if ,thou wilt have me afflicted1 be ,thou equally blessed4 ,o ,lord6 for ,thy sake ,i will cheerfully suffer whatever shall come on me with ,thy permission4 ,,thomas ,,kempis4 ,my soul could not incline itself on the one side or the other1 since another will had taken the place of its own2 but only nourished itself with the daily providences of ,god4 ,,madame ,,guyon4 ,july #g ,the ,lord is my light and my salvation2 whom shall ,i fear8 ,the ,lord is the strength of my life2 of whom shall ,i be afraid8--,,ps4 xxvii4 ,i4 ,thou hidden ,source of calm repose1 ,thou all-sufficient ,love divine1 ,my ,help and ,refuge from my foes1 ,secure ,i am while ,thou art mine3 ,and lo6 from sin1 and grief1 and shame1 ,i hide me1 ,father1 in ,thy name4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,whatever troubles come on you1 of mind1 body1 or estate1 from within or from without1 from chance or from intent1 from friends or foes--whatever your trouble be1 though you be lonely1 ,o children of a heavenly ,father1 be not afraid6 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,whatsoever befalleth thee1 receive it not from the hand of any creature1 but from ,him alone1 and render back all to ,him1 seeking in all things ,his pleasure and honor1 the purifying and subduing of thyself4 ,what can harm thee1 when all must first touch ,god1 within whom thou hast enclosed thyself8 ,r4 ,,leighton4 ,how ,god rejoices over a soul1 which1 surrounded on all sides by suffering and misery1 does that upon earth which the angels do in heaven2 namely1 loves1 adores1 and praises ,god6 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,july #h ,be ye kind one to another4--,,eph4 iv4 #cb4 ,she doeth little kindnesses ,which most leave undone or despise2 ,for nought which sets one heart at ease1 ,and giveth happiness or peace1 ,is low-esteemed in her eyes4 ,j4 ,r4 ,,lowell4 ,what was the secret of such a one's power8 ,what had she done8 ,absolutely nothing2 but radiant smiles1 beaming good-humor1 the tact of divining what every one felt and every one wanted1 told that she had got out of self and learned to think of others2 so that at one time it showed itself in deprecating the quarrel1 which lowering brows and raised tones already showed to be impending1 by sweet words2 at another1 by smoothing an invalid's pillow2 at another1 by soothing a sobbing child2 at another1 by humoring and softening a father who had returned weary and ill-tempered from the irritating cares of business4 ,none but she saw those things4 ,none but a loving heart could see them4 ,that was the secret of her heavenly power4 ,the one who will be found in trial capable of great acts of love1 is ever the one who is always doing considerate small ones4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,july #i ,love is of ,god2 and every one that loveth is born of ,god1 and knoweth ,god4--,i ,,john iv4 #g4 ,forbearing one another1 and forgiving one another1 if any man have a quarrel 7or complaint7 against any3 even as ,christ forgave you1 so also do ye4--,,col4 iii4 #ac4 ,oh1 might we all our lineage prove1 ,give and forgive1 do good and love2 ,by soft endearments1 in kind strife1 ,lightening the load of daily life4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,we may1 if we choose1 make the worst of one another4 ,every one has his weak points2 every one has his faults3 we may make the worst of these2 we may fix our attention constantly upon these4 ,but we may also make the best of one another4 ,we may forgive1 even as we hope to be forgiven4 ,we may put ourselves in the place of others1 and ask what we should wish to be done to us1 and thought of us1 were we in their place4 ,by loving whatever is lovable in those around us1 love will flow back from them to us1 and life will become a pleasure instead of a pain2 and earth will become like heaven2 and we shall become not unworthy followers of ,him whose name is ,love4 ,a4 ,p4 ,,stanley4 ,july #aj ,the ,lord will perfect that which concerneth me3 ,thy mercy1 ,o ,lord1 endureth forever3 forsake not the--works of ,thine own hands4--,,ps4 cxxxviii4 #h4 ,as ,god leads me1 will ,i go1-- ,nor choose my way2 ,let ,him choose the joy or woe ,of every day3 ,they cannot hurt my soul1 ,because in ,his control3 ,i leave to ,him the whole1-- ,his children may4 ,l4 ,,gedicke4 ,why is it that we are so busy with the future8 ,it is not our province2 and is there not a criminal interference with ,him to whom it belongs1 in our feverish1 anxious attempts to dispose of it1 and in filling it up with shadows of good and evil shaped by our own wild imaginations8 ,to do ,god's will as fast as it is made known to us1 to inquire hourly--,i had almost said each moment--what ,he requires of us1 and to leave ourselves1 our friends1 and every interest at ,his control1 with a cheerful trust that the path which ,he marks out leads to our perfection and to ,himself1--this is at once our duty and happiness2 and why will we not walk in the plain1 simple way8 ,,william ,e4 ,,channing4 ,july #aa ,when ,he giveth quietness1 who then can make trouble8--,,job xxxiv4 #bi4 ,none of these things move me4--,,acts xx4 #bd4 ,i've many a cross to take up now1 ,and many left behind2 ,but present troubles move me not1 ,nor shake my quiet mind4 ,and what may be to-morrow's cross ,i never seek to find2 ,my ,father says1 ,leave that to me1 ,and keep a quiet mind4 ,,anon4 ,let us then think only of the present1 and not even permit our minds to wander with curiosity into the future4 ,this future is not yet ours2 perhaps it never will be4 ,it is exposing ourselves to temptation to wish to anticipate ,god1 and to prepare ourselves for things which ,he may not destine for us4 ,if such things should come to pass1 ,he will give us light and strength according to the need4 ,why should we desire to meet difficulties prematurely1 when we have neither strength nor light as yet provided for them8 ,let us give heed to the present1 whose duties are pressing2 it is fidelity to the present which prepares us for fidelity in the future4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,every hour comes with some little fagot of ,god's will fastened upon its back4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,july #ab ,be strong1 and of a good courage1 fear not1 nor be afraid 444 for the ,lord thy ,god1 ,he it is that doth go with thee2 ,he will not fail thee1 nor forsake thee4--,,deut4 xxxi4 #f4 ,the timid it concerns to ask their way1 ,and fear what foe in caves and swamps can stray1 ,to make no step until the event is known1 ,and ills to come as evils past bemoan4 ,not so the wise2 no coward watch he keeps ,to spy what danger on his pathway creeps2 ,go where he will1 the wise man is at home1 ,his hearth the earth1--his hall the azure dome2 ,where his clear spirit leads him1 there's his road1 ,by ,god's own light illumined and foreshowed4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,though ,i sympathize1 ,i do not share in the least the feeling of being disheartened and cast down4 ,it is not things of this sort that depress me1 or ever will4 ,the contrary things1 praise1 openings1 the feeling of the greatness of my work1 and my inability in relation to it1 these things oppress and cast me down2 but little hindrances1 and closing up of accustomed or expected avenues1 and the presence of difficulties to be overcome1--,i'm not going to be cast down by trifles such as these4 ,,james ,,hinton4 ,july #ac ,and the ,lord shall guide thee continually1 and satisfy thy soul in drought4--,,isa4 lviii4 #aa4 ,wherever ,he may guide me1 ,no want shall turn me back2 ,my ,shepherd is beside me1 ,and nothing can ,i lack4 ,his wisdom ever waketh1 ,his sight is never dim1-- ,he knows the way ,he taketh1 ,and ,i will walk with ,him4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,abandon yourself to ,his care and guidance1 as a sheep in the care of a shepherd1 and trust ,him utterly4 ,no matter though you may seem to yourself to be in the very midst of a desert1 with nothing green about you1 inwardly or outwardly1 and may think you will have to make a long journey before you can get into the green pastures4 ,our ,shepherd will turn that very place where you are into green pastures1 for ,he has power to make the desert rejoice and blossom as a rose4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,july #ad ,be not conformed to this world3 but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind4--,,rom4 xii4 #b4 ,father1 let our faithful mind ,rest1 on ,thee alone inclined2 ,every anxious thought repress1 ,keep our souls in perfect peace4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,retirement from anxieties of every kind2 entering into no disputes2 avoiding all frivolous talk2 and simplifying everything we engage in1 whether in a way of doing or suffering2 denying the1 imagination its false activities1 and the intellect its false searchings after what it cannot obtain1--these seem to be some of the steps that lead to obedience to the holy precept in our text4 ,,james ,p4 ,,greaves4 ,retire inwardly2 wait to feel somewhat of ,god's ,spirit1 discovering and drawing away from that which is contrary to ,his holy nature1 and leading into that which is acceptable to ,him4 ,as the mind is joined to this1 some true light and life is received4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,act up faithfully to your convictions2 and when you have been unfaithful1 bear with yourself1 and resume always with calm simplicity your little task4 ,suppress1 as much as you possibly can1 all recurrence to yourself1 and you will suppress much vanity4 ,accustom yourself to much calmness and an indifference to events4 ,,madame ,,guyon4 ,july #ae ,lift up your heads1 ,o ye gates2 even lift them up1 ye everlasting doors2 and the ,king of glory shall come in4--,,ps4 xxiv4 #i4 ,ye are the temple of the living ,god4--#b ,,cor4 vi4 #af4 ,fling wide the portals of your heart1 ,make it a temple set apart ,from earthly use for ,heaven's employ1 ,adorned with prayer1 and love1 and joy4 ,so shall your ,sovereign enter in1 ,and new and nobler life begin4 ,g4 ,,weissel4 ,thou art to know that thy soul is the centre1 habitation1 and kingdom of ,god4 ,that1 therefore1 to the end the sovereign ,king may rest on that throne of thy soul1 thou oughtest to take pains to keep it clean1 quiet1 and peaceable1--clean from guilt and defects2 quiet from fears2 and peaceable in temptations and tribulations4 ,thou oughtest always1 then1 to keep thine heart in peace1 that thou mayest keep pure that temple of ,god2 and with a right and pure intention thou art to work1 pray1 obey1 and suffer 7without being in the least moved71 whatever it pleases the ,lord to send unto thee4 ,m4 ,,de ,,molinos ,july #af ,oh how great is ,thy goodness1 which ,thou hast laid up for them that fear ,thee2 which ,thou hast wrought for them that trust in ,thee4--,,ps4 xxxi4 #ai4 ,i will sing unto the ,lord1 because ,he hath dealt bountifully with me4--,,ps4 xiii4 #f4 ,thy calmness bends serene above ,my restlessness to still2 ,around me flows ,thy quickening life1 ,to nerve my faltering will2 ,thy presence fills my solitude2 ,thy providence turns all to good4 ,s4 ,,longfellow4 ,with a heart devoted to ,god and full of ,god1 no longer seek ,him in the heavens above or the earth beneath1 or in the things under the earth1 but recognize ,him as the great fact of the universe1 separate from no place or part1 but revealed in all places and in all things and events1 moment by moment4 ,and as eternity alone will exhaust this momentary revelation1 which has sometimes been called the ,,eternal ,now1 thou shalt thus find ,god ever present and ever new2 and thy soul shall adore ,him and feed upon ,him in the things and events which each new moment brings2 and thou shalt never be absent from ,him1 and ,he shall never be absent from thee4 ,t4 ,c4 ,,upham4 ,july #ag ,for ,i reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us4--,,rom4 viii4 #ah4 ,the power of an endless life4--,,heb4 vii4 #af4 ,believ'st thou in eternal things8 ,thou knowest1 in thy inmost heart1 ,thou art not clay2 thy soul hath wings1 ,and what thou seest is but part4 ,make this thy med'cine for the smart ,of every day's distress2 be dumb1 ,in each new loss thou truly art ,tasting the power of things that come4 ,t4 ,w4 ,parsons4 ,every contradiction of our will1 every little ailment1 every petty disappointment1 will1 if we take it patiently1 become a blessing4 ,so1 walking on earth1 we may be in heaven2 the ill-tempers of others1 the slights and rudenesses of the world1 ill-health1 the daily accidents with which ,god has mercifully strewed our paths1 instead of ruffling or disturbing our peace1 may cause ,his peace to be shed abroad in our hearts abundantly4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,july #ah ,a new commandment ,i give unto you1 ,that ye love one another2 as ,i have loved you1 that ye also love one another4--,,john xiii4 #cd4 ,and the ,lord make you to increase and abound in love1 one toward another1 and toward all men4--,i ,,thess4 iii4 #ab4 ,let love through all my conduct shine1 ,an image fair1 though faint1 of ,thine2 ,thus let me ,his disciple prove1 ,who came to manifest ,thy love4 ,simon ,browne4 ,we should arrive at a fulness of love extending to the whole creation1 a desire to impart1 to pour out in full and copious streams the love and goodness we bear to all around us4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,greaves4 ,goodness and love mould the form into their own image1 and cause the joy and beauty of love to shine forth from every part of the face4 ,when this form of love is seen1 it appears ineffably beautiful1 and affects with delight the inmost life of the soul4 ,e4 ,,swedenborg4 ,the soul within had so often lighted up her countenance with its own full happiness and joy1 that something of a permanent radiance remained upon it4 ,,sarah ,w4 ,,stephen4 ,july #ai ,the ,lord is good to all3 and ,his tender mercies are over all ,his works4--,,ps4 cxlv4 #i4 ,for every beast of the forest is ,mine1 and the cattle upon a thousand hills4--,,ps4 #a4 #aj4 ,maker of earth and sea and sky1 ,creation's sovereign ,lord and ,king1 ,who hung the starry worlds on high1 ,and formed alike the sparrow's wing2 ,bless the dumb creatures of ,thy care1 ,and listen to their voiceless prayer4 ,,anon4 ,i believe where the love of ,god is verily perfected1 and the true spirit of government watchfully attended to1 a tenderness towards all creatures made subject to us will be experienced2 and a care felt in us1 that we do not lessen that sweetness of life in the animal creation1 which the great ,creator intends for them under our government4 ,to say we love ,god as unseen1 and at the same time exercise cruelty toward the least creature moving by ,his life1 or by life derived from ,him1 was a contradiction in itself4 ,,john ,,woolman4 ,i would give nothing for that man's religion whose very dog and cat are not the better for it4 ,,rowland ,,hill4 ,july #bj ,then ,i said1 ,i have labored in vain1 ,i have spent my strength for naught1 and in vain4--,,isa4 xlix4 #d4 ,because ,i spent the strength ,thou gavest me ,in struggle which ,thou never didst ordain1 ,and have but dregs of life to offer ,thee-- ,o ,lord1 ,i do repent4 ,,sarah ,,williams4 ,mind1 it is our best work that ,he wants1 not the dregs of our exhaustion4 ,i think ,he must prefer quality to quantity4 ,,george ,,macdonald4 ,if the people about you are carrying on their business or their benevolence at a pace which drains the life out of you1 resolutely take a slower pace2 be called a laggard1 make less money1 accomplish less work than they1 but be what you were meant to be and can be4 ,you have your natural limit of power as much as an engine1--ten-horse power1 or twenty1 or a hundred4 ,you are fit to do certain kinds of work1 and you need a certain kind and amount of fuel1 and a certain kind of handling4 ,,george ,s4 ,,merriam4 ,in your occupations1 try to possess your soul in peace4 ,it is not a good plan to be in haste to perform any action that it may be the sooner over4 ,on the contrary1 you should accustom yourself to do whatever you have to do with tranquillity1 in order that you may retain the possession of yourself and of settled peace4 ,,madame ,,guyon4 ,july #ba ,for which cause we faint not2 but1 though our outward man perish1 yet the inward man is renewed day by day4--#b ,,cor4 iv4 #af4 ,let my soul beneath her load ,faint not through the o'erwearied flesh2 ,let me hourly drink afresh ,love and peace from ,thee1 my ,god6 ,c4 ,f4 ,,richter4 ,in my attempts to promote the comfort of my family1 the quiet of my spirit has been disturbed4 ,some of this is doubtless owing to physical weakness2 but1 with every temptation1 there is a way of escape2 there is never any need to sin4 ,another thing ,i have suffered loss from1--entering into the business of the day without seeking to have my spirit quieted and directed4 ,so many things press upon me1 this is sometimes neglected2 shame to me that it should be so4 ,this is of great importance1 to watch carefully1--now ,i am so weak--not to over-fatigue myself1 because then ,i cannot contribute to the pleasure of others2 and a placid face and a gentle tone will make my family more happy than anything else ,i can do for them4 ,our own will gets sadly into the performance of our duties sometimes4 ,,elizabeth ,t4 ,,king4 ,july #bb ,whoso is wise1 and will observe these things1 even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the ,lord4--,,ps4 cvii4 #dc4 ,what channel needs our faith1 except the eyes8 ,god leaves no spot of earth unglorified2 ,profuse and wasteful1 lovelinesses rise2 ,new beauties dawn before the old have died4 ,trust thou thy joys in keeping of the ,power ,who holds these changing shadows in ,his hand2 ,believe and live1 and know that hour by hour ,will ripple newer beauty to thy strand4 ,t4 ,w4 ,,higginson4 ,i wondered over again for the hundredth time what could be the principle which1 in the wildest1 most lawless1 fantastically chaotic1 apparently capricious work of nature1 always kept it beautiful4 ,the beauty of holiness must be at the heart of it somehow1 ,i thought4 ,because our ,god is so free from stain1 so loving1 so unselfish1 so good1 so altogether what ,he wants us to be1 so holy1 therefore all ,his works declare ,him in beauty2 ,his fingers can touch nothing but to mould it into loveliness2 and even the play of ,his elements is in grace and tenderness of form4 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,july #bc ,thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with all thy heart1 and with all thy soul1 and with all thy strength1 and with all thy mind4--,,luke x4 #bg4 ,o ,god1 what offering shall ,i give ,to ,thee1 the ,lord of earth and skies8 ,my spirit1 soul1 and flesh receive1 ,a holy1 living sacrifice4 ,j4 ,,lange4 ,to love ,god with all our heart1 is to know the spiritual passion of measureless gratitude for loving-kindness1 and self-devotedness to goodness2 to love ,him with all our mind1 is to know the passion for ,truth that is the enthusiasm of ,science1 the passion for ,beauty that inspires the poet and the artist1 when all truth and beauty are regarded as the self-revealings of ,god2 to love ,him with all our soul1 is to know the saint's rapture of devotion and gaze of penitential awe into the face of the ,all-holy1 the saint's abhorrence of sin1 and agony of desire to save a sinner's soul2 and to love ,him with all our strength1 is the supreme spiritual passion that tests the rest2 the passion for reality1 for worship in spirit and in truth1 for being what we adore1 for doing what we know to be ,god's word2 the loyalty that exacts the living sacrifice1 the whole burnt-offering that is our reasonable service1 and in our coldest hours keeps steadfast to what seemed good when we were aglow4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,july #bd ,walk worthy of ,god1 who hath called you unto ,his kingdom and glory4--,i ,,thess4 ii4 #ab4 ,surely the ,lord is in this place2 and ,i knew it not4--,,gen4 xxviii4 #af4 ,thou earnest not to thy place by accident1 ,it is the very place ,god meant for thee2 ,and shouldst thou there small scope for action see1 ,do not for this give room to discontent4 ,r4 ,c4 ,,trench4 ,accept the place the divine providence has found for you1 the society of your contemporaries1 the connection of events4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,adapt thyself to the things with which thy lot has been cast2 and love the men with whom it is thy portion to live1 and that with a sincere affection4 ,no longer be either dissatisfied with thy present lot1 or shrink from the future4 ,,marcus ,,antoninus4 ,i love best to have each thing in its season1 doing without it at all other times4 ,i have never got over my surprise that ,i should have been born into the most estimable place in all the world1 and in the very nick of time too4 ,h4 ,d4 ,,thoreau4 ,july #be ,he knoweth the way that ,i take4--,,job xxiii4 #aj4 ,man's goings are of the ,lord2 how can a man then understand his own way8--,,prov4 xx4 #bd4 ,be quiet1 why this anxious heed ,about thy tangled ways8 ,god knows them all1 ,he giveth speed1 ,and ,he allows delays4 ,e4 ,w4 ,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 life2 so do we say that ,god has forgotten us2 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 ,o men of little faith6 ,because you are not sent out yet into your labor1 do you think ,god has ceased to remember you8 ,because you are forced to be outwardly inactive1 do you think you1 also1 may not be1 in your years of quiet1 about your ,father's business8 ,it is a period given to us in which to mature ourselves for the work which ,god will give us to do4 ,,stopford ,a4 ,,brooke4 ,july #bf ,they that trust in the ,lord shall be as ,mount ,zion1 which cannot be removed1 but abideth for ever4 ,as the mountains are round about ,jerusalem1 so the ,lord is round about ,his people from henceforth even for ever4--,,ps4 cxxv4 ,i1 #b4 ,how on a rock they stand1 ,who watch ,his eye1 and hold ,his guiding hand6 ,not half so fixed amid her vassal hills1 ,rises the holy pile that ,kedron's valley fills4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,that is the way to be immovable in the midst of troubles1 as a rock amidst the waves4 ,when ,god is in the midst of a kingdom or city1 ,he makes it firm as ,mount ,sion1 that cannot be removed4 ,when ,he is in the midst of a soul1 though calamities throng about it on all hands1 and roar like the billows of the sea1 yet there is a constant calm within1 such a peace as the world can neither give nor take away4 ,what is it but want of lodging ,god in the soul1 and that in ,his stead the world is in men's hearts1 that makes them shake like leaves at every blast of danger8 ,r4 ,,leighton4 ,july #bg ,he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word1 and understandeth it2 which also beareth fruit1 and bringeth forth1 some an hundredfold1 some sixty1 some thirty4--,,matt4 xiii4 #bc4 ,then bless thy secret growth1 nor catch ,at noise1 but thrive unseen and dumb2 ,keep clean1 bear fruit1 earn life1 and watch ,till the white-winged reapers come4 ,h4 ,,vaughan4 ,he does not need to transplant us into a different field1 but right where we are1 with just the circumstances that surround us1 ,he makes ,his sun to shine and ,his dew to fall upon us1 and transforms the very things that were before our greatest hindrances1 into the chiefest and most blessed means of our growth4 ,no difficulties in your case can baffle ,him4 ,no dwarfing of your growth in years that are past1 no apparent dryness of your inward springs of life1 no crookedness or deformity in any of your past development1 can in the least mar the perfect work that ,he will accomplish1 if you will only put yourselves absolutely into ,his hands1 and let ,him have ,his own way with you4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,july #bh ,but ,i would not have you to be ignorant1 brethren1 concerning them which are asleep1 that ye sorrow not1 even as others which have no hope4--,i ,,thess4 iv4 #ac4 ,yet ,love will dream1 and ,faith will trust 7,since ,he who knows our need is just71 ,that somehow1 somewhere1 meet we must4 ,alas for him who never sees ,the stars shine through his cypress trees2 ,who hath not learned in hours of faith1 ,the truth to flesh and sense unknown1 ,that life is ever ,lord of ,death1 ,and ,love can never lose its own4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,while we poor wayfarers still toil1 with hot and bleeding feet1 along the highway and the dust of life1 our companions have but mounted the divergent path1 to explore the more sacred streams1 and visit the diviner vales1 and wander amid the everlasting ,alps1 of ,god's upper province of creation4 ,and so we keep up the courage of our hearts1 and refresh ourselves with the memories of love1 and travel forward in the ways of duty1 with less weary step1 feeling ever for the hand of ,god1 and listening for the domestic voices of the immortals whose happy welcome waits us4 ,death1 in short1 under the ,christian aspect1 is but ,god's method of colonization2 the transition from this mother-country of our race to the fairer and newer world of our emigration4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,july #bi ,but this ,i say1 brethren1 the time is short4--,i ,,cor4 vii4 #bi4 ,i sometimes feel the thread of life is slender1 ,and soon with me the labor will be wrought2 ,then grows my heart to other hearts more tender4 ,the time is short4 ,d4 ,m4 ,,craik4 ,oh1 my dear friends1 you who are letting miserable misunderstandings run on from year to year1 meaning to clear them up some day2 you who are keeping wretched quarrels alive because you cannot quite make up your mind that now is the day to sacrifice your pride and kill them2 you who are passing men sullenly upon the street1 not speaking to them out of some silly spite1 and yet knowing that it would fill you with shame and remorse if you heard that one of those men were dead tomorrow morning2 you who are letting your neighbor starve1 till you hear that he is dying of starvation2 or letting your friend's heart ache for a word of appreciation or sympathy1 which you mean to give him some day1--if you only could know and see and feel1 all of a sudden1 that the time is short1 how it would break the spell6 ,how you would go instantly and do the thing which you might never have another chance to do4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,july #cj ,remember not the sins of my youth1 nor my transgressions3 according to ,thy mercy remember ,thou me for ,thy goodness' sake1 ,o ,lord4--,,ps4 ,,xxv4 #g4 ,when on my aching1 burdened heart ,my sins lie heavily1 ,my pardon speak1 new peace impart1 ,in love remember me4 ,t4 ,,haweis4 ,we need to know that our sins are forgiven4 ,and how shall we know this8 ,by feeling that we have peace with ,god1--by feeling that we are able so to trust in the divine compassion and infinite tenderness of our ,father1 as to arise and go to ,him1 whenever we commit sin1 and say at once to ,him1 ,father1 ,i have sinned2 forgive me4 ,to know that we are forgiven1 it is only necessary to look at our ,father's love till it sinks into our heart1 to open our soul to ,him till ,he shall pour ,his love into it2 to wait on ,him till we find peace1 till our conscience no longer torments us1 till the weight of responsibility ceases to be an oppressive burden to us1 till we can feel that our sins1 great as they are1 cannot keep us away from our ,heavenly ,father4 ,j4 ,f4 ,,clarke4 ,july #ca ,i have blotted out1 as a thick cloud1 thy transgressions1 and1 as a cloud1 thy sins3 return unto ,me2 for ,i have redeemed thee4--,,isa4 xliv4 #bb4 ,he will turn again1 ,he will have compassion upon us2 ,he will subdue our iniquities2 and ,thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea4--,,micah vii4 #ai4 ,if my shut eyes should dare their lids to part1 ,i know how they must quail beneath the blaze ,of ,thy ,love's greatness4 ,no2 ,i dare not raise ,one prayer1 to look aloft1 lest it should gaze ,on such forgiveness as would break my heart4 ,h4 ,s4 ,,sutton4 ,o ,lord ,god gracious and merciful1 give us1 ,i entreat ,thee1 a humble trust in ,thy mercy1 and suffer not our heart to fail us4 ,though our sins be seven1 though our sins be seventy times seven1 though our sins be more in number than the hairs of our head1 yet give us grace in loving penitence to cast ourselves down into the depth of ,thy compassion4 ,let us fall into the hand of the ,lord4 ,amen4 ,c4 ,g4 ,,rossetti4 ,august #a ,be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry3 for anger resteth in the bosom of fools4--,,eccles4 vii4 #i4 ,let not the sun go down upon your wrath--,,eph4 iv4 #bf4 ,quench thou the fires of hate and strife1 ,the wasting fever of the heart2 ,from perils guard our feeble life1 ,and to our souls ,thy peace impart4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman1 ,tr4 from ,latin4 ,when thou art offended or annoyed by others1 suffer not thy thoughts to dwell thereon1 or on anything relating to them4 ,for example1 that they ought not so to have treated thee2 who they are1 or whom they think themselves to be2 or the like2 for all this is fuel and kindling of wrath1 anger1 and hatred4 ,l4 ,,scupoli4 ,struggle diligently against your impatience1 and strive to be amiable and gentle1 in season and out of season1 towards every one1 however much they may vex and annoy you1 and be sure ,god will bless your efforts4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,august #b ,behold1 ,god is my salvation2 ,i will trust1 and not be afraid3 for the ,lord ,jehovah is my strength and my song2 ,he also is become my salvation4--,,isa4 xii4 #b4 ,why are ye so fearful8 ,how is it that ye have no faith8--,,mark4 iv4 #dj4 ,still heavy is thy heart8 ,still sink thy spirits down8 ,cast off the weight1 let fear depart1 ,and every care be gone4 ,p4 ,,gerhardt4 ,go on in all simplicity2 do not be so anxious to win a quiet mind1 and it will be all the quieter4 ,do not examine so closely into the progress of your soul4 ,do not crave so much to be perfect1 but let your spiritual life be formed by your duties1 and by the actions which are called forth by circumstances4 ,do not take overmuch thought for to-morrow4 ,god1 who has led you safely on so far1 will lead you on to the end4 ,be altogether at rest in the loving holy confidence which you ought to have in ,his heavenly ,providence4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,august #c ,thou hast made him exceeding glad with ,thy countenance4--,,ps4 xxi4 #f4 ,,my heart for gladness springs1 ,it cannot more be sad1 ,for very joy it laughs and sings1 ,sees nought but sunshine glad4 ,p4 ,,gerhardt4 ,a new day rose upon me4 ,it was as if another sun had risen into the sky2 the heavens were indescribably brighter1 and the earth fairer2 and that day has gone on brightening to the present hour4 ,i have known the other joys of life1 ,i suppose1 as much as most men2 ,i have known art and beauty1 music and gladness2 ,i have known friendship and love and family ties2 but it is certain that till we see ,,god in the world--,,god in the bright and boundless universe--we never know the highest joy4 ,it is far more than if one were translated to a world a thousand times fairer than this2 for that supreme and central ,light of ,infinite ,love and ,wisdom1 shining over this world and all worlds1 alone can show us how noble and beautiful1 how fair and glorious they are4 ,,orville ,,dewey4 ,when ,i look like this into the blue sky1 it seems so deep1 so peaceful1 so full of a mysterious tenderness1 that ,i could lie for centuries and wait for the dawning of the face of ,god out of the awful loving-kindness4 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,august #d ,he satisfieth the longing soul1 and the hungry soul ,he filleth with good4--,,ps4 cvii4 #i 7,r4 ,v474 ,that ye might be filled with all the fulness of ,god4--,,eph4 iii4 #ai4 ,enough that ,he who made can fill the soul ,here and hereafter till its deeps o'erflow2 ,enough that love and tenderness control ,our fate where'er in joy or doubt we go4 ,,anon4 ,o ,god1 the ,life of the ,faithful1 the ,bliss of the righteous1 mercifully receive the prayers of ,thy suppliants1 that the souls which thirst for ,thy promises may evermore be filled from ,thy abundance4 ,amen4 ,,gelasian ,,sacramentary1 ,a4 ,d4 #dij4 ,god makes every common thing serve1 if thou wilt1 to enlarge that capacity of bliss in ,his love4 ,not a prayer1 not an act of faithfulness in your calling1 not a self-denying or kind word or deed1 done out of love for ,himself2 not a weariness or painfulness endured patiently2 not a duty performed2 not a temptation resisted2 but it enlarges the whole soul for the endless capacity of the love of ,god4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,august #e ,o receive the gift that is given you1 and be glad1 giving thanks unto ,him that hath called you to the heavenly kingdom4--#b ,,esdras ii4 #cg4 ,thanks be unto ,god for ,his unspeakable gift4--#b ,,cor4 ix4 #ae4 ,o ,giver of each perfect gift6 ,this day our daily bread supply2 ,while from the ,spirit's tranquil depths ,we drink unfailing draughts of joy4 ,,lyra ,,catholica4 ,the best way for a man rightly to enjoy himself1 is to maintain a universal1 ready1 and cheerful compliance with the divine and uncreated ,will in all things2 as knowing that nothing can issue and flow forth from the fountain of goodness but that which is good2 and therefore a good man is never offended with any piece of divine dispensation1 nor hath he any reluctancy against that ,will that dictates and determines all things by an eternal rule of goodness2 as knowing that there is an unbounded and almighty ,love that1 without any disdain or envy1 freely communicates itself to everything ,he made2 that always enfolds those in ,his everlasting arms who are made partakers of ,his own image1 perpetually nourishing and cherishing them with the fresh and vital influences of ,his grace4 ,,dr4 ,,john ,,smith4 ,august #f ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul1 and forget not all ,his benefits4--,,ps4 ciii4 #b4 ,wiser it were to welcome and make ours ,whate'er of good1 though small1 the ,present brings1-- ,kind greetings1 sunshine1 song of birds1 and flowers1 ,with a child's pure delight in little things4 ,r4 ,c4 ,,trench4 ,into all our lives1 in many simple1 familiar1 homely ways1 ,god infuses this element of joy from the surprises of life1 which unexpectedly brighten our days1 and fill our eyes with light4 ,he drops this added sweetness into ,his children's cup1 and makes it to run over4 ,the success we were not counting on1 the blessing we were not trying after1 the strain of music1 in the midst of drudgery1 the beautiful morning picture or sunset glory thrown in as we pass to or from our daily business1 the unsought word of encouragement or expression of sympathy1 the sentence that meant for us more than the writer or speaker thought1--these and a hundred others that every one's experience can supply are instances of what ,i mean4 ,you may call it accident or chance--it often is2 you may call it human goodness--it often is2 but always1 always call it ,god's love1 for that is always in it4 ,these are the overflowing riches of ,his grace1 these are ,his free gifts4 ,s4 ,,longfellow4 ,august #g ,if thou canst believe1 all things are possible to him that believeth4--,,mark ix4 #bc4 ,nothing shall be impossible unto you4--,,matt4 xvii4 #bj4 ,so nigh is grandeur to our dust1 ,so near is ,god to man1 ,when ,duty whispers low1 ,thou must1 ,the youth replies1 ,i can4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,know that impossible1 where truth and mercy and the everlasting voice of nature order1 has no place in the brave man's dictionary4 ,that when all men have said ,impossible1 and tumbled noisily elsewhither1 and thou alone art left1 then first thy time and possibility have come4 ,it is for thee now3 do thou that1 and ask no man's counsel1 but thy own only and ,god's4 ,brother1 thou hast possibility in thee for much3 the possibility of writing on the eternal skies the record of a heroic life4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,in the moral world there is nothing impossible1 if we bring a thorough will to it4 ,man can do everything with himself2 but he must not attempt to do too much with others4 ,,wm4 ,,von ,,humboldt4 ,august #h ,stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith ,christ hath made us free1 and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage4--,,gal4 v4 i4 ,i believed1 and therefore have ,i spoken4--#b ,,cor4 iv4 #ac4 ,they are slaves who fear to speak ,for the fallen and the weak2 ,they are slaves who will not choose ,hatred1 scoffing1 and abuse1 ,rather than in silence shrink ,from the truth they needs must think2 ,they are slaves who dare not be ,in the right with two or three4 ,j4 ,r4 ,,lowell4 ,the real corrupters of society may be1 not the corrupt1 but those who have held back the righteous leaven1 the salt that has lost its savor1 the innocent who have not even the moral courage to show what they think of the effrontery of impurity1--the serious1 who yet timidly succumb before some loud-voiced scoffer1--the heart trembling all over with religious sensibilities that yet suffers itself through false shame to be beaten down into outward and practical acquiescence by some rude and worldly nature4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,august #i ,the things which are impossible with men are possible with ,god4--,,luke xviii4 #bg4 ,unless the ,lord had been my help1 my soul had almost dwelt in silence4--,,ps4 xciv4 #ag4 ,when obstacles and trials seem ,like prison-walls to be1 ,i do the little ,i can do1 ,and leave the rest to ,thee4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,the mind never puts forth greater power over itself than when1 in great trials1 it yields up calmly its desires1 affections1 interests to ,god4 ,there are seasons when to be still demands immeasurably higher strength than to act4 ,composure is often the highest result of power4 ,think you it demands no power to calm the stormy elements of passion1 to moderate the vehemence of desire1 to throw off the load of dejection1 to suppress every repining thought1 when the dearest hopes are withered1 and to turn the wounded spirit from dangerous reveries and wasting grief1 to the quiet discharge of ordinary duties8 ,is there no power put forth1 when a man1 stripped of his property1 of the fruits of a life's labors1 quells discontent and gloomy forebodings1 and serenely and patiently returns to the tasks which ,providence assigns8 ,,wm4 ,e4 ,,channing4 ,august #aj ,the cup which my ,father has given me1 shall ,i not drink it8--,,john xviii4 #aa4 ,whatsoever is brought upon thee1 take cheerfully4--,,ecclesiasticus ii4 #d4 ,every sorrow1 every smart1 ,that the ,eternal ,father's heart ,hath appointed me of yore1 ,or hath yet for me in store1 ,as my life flows on1 ,i 'll take ,calmly1 gladly1 for ,his sake1 ,no more faithless murmurs make ,p4 ,,gerhardt4 ,the very least and the very greatest sorrows that ,god ever suffers to befall thee1 proceed from the depths of ,his unspeakable love2 and such great love were better for thee than the highest and best gifts besides that ,he has given thee1 or ever could give thee1 if thou couldst but see it in this light4 ,so that if your little finger only aches1 if you are cold1 if you are hungry or thirsty1 if others vex you by their words or deeds1 or whatever happens to you that causes you distress or pain1 it will all help to fit you for a noble and blessed state4 ,j4 ,,tauler4 ,,august #aa ,the ,lord thy ,god shall bless thee in all thy works1 and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto4--,,deut4 xv4 #aj4 ,my place of lowly service1 too1 ,beneath ,thy sheltering wings ,i see2 ,for all the work ,i have to do ,is done through strengthening rest in ,thee4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,i think ,i find most help in trying to look on all interruptions and hindrances to work that one has planned out for oneself as discipline1 trials sent by ,god to help one against getting selfish over one's work4 ,then one can feel that perhaps one's true work--one's work for ,god--consists in doing some trifling haphazard thing that has been thrown into one's day4 ,it is not waste of time1 as one is tempted to think1 it is the most important part of the work of the day1--the part one can best offer to ,god4 ,after such a hindrance1 do not rush after the planned work2 trust that the time to finish it will be given sometime1 and keep a quiet heart about it4 ,,annie ,,keary4 ,august #ab ,master1 what shall ,i do to inherit eternal life8--,,luke x4 #be4 ,whatsoever thy hand findeth to do1 do it with thy might4--,,eccles4 ix4 #aj4 ,what shall ,i do to gain eternal life8 ,discharge aright ,the simple dues with which each day is rife1 ,yea1 with thy might4 ,f4 ,,von ,,schiller4 ,a man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work1 and done his best2 but what he has said or done otherwise1 shall give him no peace4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,be diligent1 after thy power1 to do deeds of love4 ,think nothing too little1 nothing too low1 to do lovingly for the sake of ,god4 ,bear with infirmities1 ungentle tempers1 contradictions2 visit1 if thou mayest1 the sick2 relieve the poor2 forego thyself and thine own ways for love2 and ,he whom in them thou lovest1 to whom in them thou ministerest1 will own thy love1 and will pour ,his own love into thee4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,august #ac ,in your patience possess ye your souls4--,,luke xxi4 #ai4 ,what though thy way be dark1 and earth ,with ceaseless care do cark1 till mirth ,to thee no sweet strain singeth2 ,still hide thy life above1 and still ,believe that ,god is love2 fulfil ,whatever lot ,he bringeth4 ,,albert ,e4 ,,evans4 ,the soul loses command of itself when it is impatient4 ,whereas1 when it submits without a murmur it possesses itself in peace1 and possesses ,god4 ,to be impatient1 is to desire what we have not1 or not to desire what we have4 ,when we acquiesce in an evil1 it is no longer such4 ,why make a real calamity of it by resistance8 ,peace does not dwell in outward things1 but within the soul4 ,we may preserve it in the midst of the bitterest pain1 if our will remains firm and submissive4 ,peace in this life springs from acquiescence even in disagreeable things1 not in an exemption from bearing them4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,the chief pang of most trials is not so much the actual suffering itself1 as our own spirit of resistance to it4 ,,jean ,,nicolas ,,grou4 ,august #ad ,i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills1 from whence cometh my help4--,,ps4 cxxi4 #a4 ,my grace is sufficient for thee4--#b ,,cor4 xii4 #i4 ,i look to ,thee in every need1 ,and never look in vain2 ,i feel ,thy touch1 ,eternal ,love1 ,and all is well again3 ,the thought of ,thee is mightier far ,than sin and pain and sorrow are4 ,s4 ,,longfellow4 ,how can you live sweetly amid the vexatious things1 the irritating things1 the multitude of little worries and frets1 which lie all along your way1 and which you cannot evade8 ,you cannot at present change your surroundings4 ,whatever kind of life you are to live1 must be lived amid precisely the experiences in which you are now moving4 ,here you must win your victories or suffer your defeats4 ,no restlessness or discontent can change your lot4 ,others may have other circumstances surrounding them1 but here are yours4 ,you had better make up your mind to accept what you cannot alter4 ,you can live a beautiful life in the midst of your present circumstances4 ,j4 ,r4 ,,miller4 ,strive to realize a state of inward happiness1 independent of circumstances4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,greaves4 ,august #ae ,god hath not given us the spirit of fear2 but of power1 and of love1 and of a sound mind4--#b ,,tim4 i4 #g4 ,we cast behind fear1 sin1 and death2 ,with ,thee we seek the things above2 ,our inmost souls ,thy spirit breathe1 ,of power1 of calmness1 and of love4 ,,hymns ,,of ,,the ,,spirit4 ,i must conclude with a more delightful subject1--my most dear and blessed sister4 ,i never saw a more perfect instance of the spirit of power and of love1 and of a sound mind2 intense love1 almost to the annihilation of selfishness--a daily martyrdom for twenty years1 during which she adhered to her early-formed resolution of never talking about herself2 thoughtful about the very pins and ribands of my wife's dress1 about the making of a doll's cap for a child1--but of herself1 save only as regarded her ripening in all goodness1 wholly thoughtless2 enjoying everything lovely1 graceful1 beautiful1 high-minded1 whether in ,god's works or man's1 with the keenest relish2 inheriting the earth to the very fulness of the promise1 though never leaving her crib1 nor changing her posture2 and preserved through the very valley of the shadow of death1 from all fear or impatience1 or from every cloud of impaired reason1 which might mar the beauty of ,christ's spirit's glorious work4 ,,thomas ,,arnold4 ,august #af ,whatsoever a man soweth1 that shall he also reap4--,,gal4 vi4 #g4 ,the life above1 when this is past1 ,is the ripe fruit of life below4 ,sow love1 and taste its fruitage pure2 ,sow peace1 and reap its harvest bright2 ,sow sunbeams on the rock and moor1 ,and find a harvest-home of light4 ,h4 ,,bonar4 ,the dispositions1 affections1 inclinations of soul1 which shall issue hereafter in perfection1 must be trained and nurtured in us throughout the whole course of this earthly life4 ,when shall we bear in mind this plain truth1 that the future perfection of the saints is not a translation from one state or disposition of soul into another1 diverse from the former2 but the carrying out1 and1 as it were1 the blossom and the fruitage of one and the same principle of spiritual life1 which1 through their whole career on earth1 has been growing with an even strength1 putting itself forth in the beginnings and promise of perfection1 reaching upward with steadfast aspirations after perfect holiness8 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,august #ag ,o turn unto me1 and have mercy upon me2 give ,thy strength unto ,thy servant1 and save the son of ,thy handmaid4--,,ps4 lxxxvi4 #af4 ,thou art my ,king-- ,my ,king henceforth alone2 ,and ,i1 ,thy servant1 ,lord1 am all ,thine own4 ,give me ,thy strength2 oh6 let ,thy dwelling be ,in this poor heart that pants1 my ,lord1 for ,thee6 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,when it is the one ruling1 never-ceasing desire of our hearts1 that ,god may be the beginning and end1 the reason and motive1 the rule and measure1 of our doing or not doing1 from morning to night2 then everywhere1 whether speaking or silent1 whether inwardly or outwardly employed1 we are equally offered up to the eternal ,spirit1 have our life in ,him and from ,him1 and are united to ,him by that ,spirit of ,prayer which is the comfort1 the support1 the strength and security of the soul1 travelling1 by the help of ,god1 through the vanity of time into the riches of eternity4 ,let us have no thought or care1 but how to be wholly ,his devoted instruments2 everywhere1 and in everything1 ,his adoring1 joyful1 and thankful servants4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,august #ah ,beloved1 if our heart condemn us not1 then have we confidence toward ,god--,i ,,john iii4 #ba4 ,o ,lord1 how happy is the time ,when in ,thy love ,i rest3 ,when from my weariness ,i climb ,e'en to ,thy tender breast4 ,the night of sorrow endeth there1 ,thy rays outshine the sun2 ,and in ,thy pardon and ,thy care ,the heaven of heavens is won4 ,w4 ,c4 ,,dessler4 ,nothing doth so much establish the mind amidst the rollings and turbulency of present things1 as both a look above them1 and a look beyond them2 above them to the good and steady ,hand by which they are ruled1 and beyond them to the sweet and beautiful end to which1 by that ,hand1 they shall be brought4 ,study pure and holy walking1 if you would have your confidence firm1 and have boldness and joy in ,god4 ,you will find that a little sin will shake your trust and disturb your peace more than the greatest sufferings3 yea1 in those sufferings1 your assurance and joy in ,god will grow and abound most if sin be kept out4 ,so much sin as gets in1 so much peace will go out4 ,r4 ,,leighton4 ,august #ai ,teach me ,thy way1 ,o ,lord1 and lead me in a plain path4--,,ps4 xxvii4 #aa4 ,lead1 kindly ,light1 amid the encircling gloom1 ,lead ,thou me on2 ,the night is dark1 and ,i am far from home1 ,lead ,thou me on4 ,keep ,thou my feet2 ,i do not ask to see ,the distant scene2 one step enough for me4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,god only is holy2 ,he alone knows how to lead ,his children in the paths of holiness4 ,he knows every aspect of your soul1 every thought of your heart1 every secret of your character1 its difficulties and hindrances2 ,he knows how to mould you to ,his will1 and lead you onwards to perfect sanctification2 ,he knows exactly how each event1 each trial1 each temptation1 will tell upon you1 and ,he disposes all things accordingly4 ,the consequences of this belief1 if fully grasped1 will influence your whole life4 ,you will seek to give yourself up to ,god more and more unreservedly1 asking nothing1 refusing nothing1 wishing nothing1 but what ,he wills2 not seeking to bring things about for yourself1 taking all ,he sends joyfully1 and believing the one step set before you to be enough for you4 ,you will be satisfied that even though there are clouds around1 and your way seems dark1 ,he is directing all1 and that what seems a hindrance will prove a blessing1 since ,he wills it4 ,,jean ,,nicolas ,,grou4 ,august #bj ,wait on the ,lord3 be of good courage1 and ,he shall strengthen thine heart3 wait1 ,i say1 on the ,lord4--,,ps4 xxvii4 #ad4 ,he giveth power to the faint2 and to them that have no might ,he increaseth strength4--,,isa4 xl4 #bi4 ,leaning on ,him1 make with reverent meekness ,his own thy will1 ,and with strength from ,him shall thy utter weakness ,life's task fulfil4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,should we feel at times disheartened and discouraged1 a confiding thought1 a simple movement of heart towards ,god will renew our powers4 ,whatever ,he may demand of us1 ,he will give us at the moment the strength and the courage that we need4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,we require a certain firmness in all circumstances of life1 even the happiest1 and perhaps contradictions come in order to prove and exercise this2 and1 if we can only determine so to use them1 the very effort brings back tranquillity to the soul1 which always enjoys having exercised its strength in conformity to duty4 ,,wm4 ,,von ,,humboldt4 ,august #ba ,we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak1 and not to please ourselves4--,,rom4 xv4 #a4 ,the ,lord ,god hath given me the tongue of the learned1 that ,i should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary4 ,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 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,ask ,him to increase your powers of sympathy3 to give you more quickness and depth of sympathy1 in little things as well as great4 ,opportunities of doing a kindness are often lost from mere want of thought4 ,half a dozen lines of kindness may bring sunshine into the whole day of some sick person4 ,think of the pleasure you might give to some one who is much shut up1 and who has fewer pleasures than you have1 by sharing with her some little comfort or enjoyment that you have learnt to look upon as a necessary of life1--the pleasant drive1 the new book1 flowers from the country1 etc4 ,try to put yourself in another's place4 ,ask ,what should ,i like myself1 if ,i were hard-worked1 or sick1 or lonely8 ,cultivate the habit of sympathy4 ,g4 ,h4 ,,wilkinson4 ,august #bb ,i beseech you therefore1 brethren1 by the mercies of ,god1 that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice1 holy1 acceptable unto ,god1 which is your reasonable service4--,,rom4 xii4 #a4 ,thou hast my flesh1 ,thy hallowed shrine1 ,devoted solely to ,thy will2 ,here let ,thy light forever shine1 ,this house still let ,thy presence fill2 ,o ,source of ,life1 live1 dwell1 and move ,in me1 till all my life be love6 ,,joachim ,,lance4 ,may it not be a comfort to those of us who feel we have not the mental or spiritual power that others have1 to notice that the living sacrifice mentioned in ,rom4 xii4 #a1 is our bodies8 ,of course1 that includes the mental power1 but does it not also include the loving1 sympathizing glance1 the kind1 encouraging word1 the ready errand for another1 the work of our hands1 opportunities for all of which come oftener in the day than for the mental power we are often tempted to envy8 ,may we be enabled to offer willingly that which we have4 ,,anon4 ,august #bc ,seekest thou great things for thyself8 seek them not4--,,jer4 xlv4 #e4 ,i would not have the restless will ,that hurries to and fro1 ,seeking for some great thing to do1 ,or secret thing to know2 ,i would be treated as a child1 ,and guided where ,i go4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,oh6 be little1 be little2 and then thou wilt be content with little2 and if thou feel1 now and then1 a check or a secret smiting1--in that is the ,father's love2 be not over-wise1 nor over-eager1 in thy own willing1 running1 and desiring1 and thou mayest feel it so2 and by degrees come to the knowledge of thy ,guide1 who will lead thee1 step by step1 in the path of life1 and teach thee to follow4 ,be still1 and wait for light and strength4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,sink into the sweet and blessed littleness1 where thou livest by grace alone4 ,contemplate with delight the holiness and goodness in ,god1 which thou dost not find in thyself4 ,how lovely it is to be nothing when ,god is all6 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,august #bd ,and that which fell among thorns are they1 which1 when they have heard1 go forth1 and are choked with cares1 and riches and pleasures of this life1 and bring no fruit to perfection4--,,luke viii4 #ad4 ,preserve me from my calling's snare1 ,and hide my simple heart above1 ,above the thorns of choking care1 ,the gilded baits of worldly love4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,anything allowed in the heart which is contrary to the will of ,god1 let it seem ever so insignificant1 or be ever so deeply hidden1 will cause us to fall before our enemies4 ,any root of bitterness cherished towards another1 any self-seeking1 any harsh judgments indulged in1 any slackness in obeying the voice of the ,lord1 any doubtful habits or surroundings1 any one of these things will effectually cripple and paralyze our spiritual life4 ,i believe our blessed ,guide1 the indwelling ,holy ,spirit1 is always secretly discovering these things to us by continual little twinges and pangs of conscience1 so that we are left without excuse1 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,august #be ,see that ye refuse not ,him that speaketh4--,,heb4 xii4 #be4 ,from the world of sin and noise ,and hurry ,i withdraw2 ,for the small and inward voice ,i wait with humble awe2 ,silent am ,i now and still1 ,dare not in ,thy presence move2 ,to my waiting soul reveal ,the secret of ,thy love4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,when therefore the smallest instinct or desire of thy heart calleth thee towards ,god1 and a newness of life1 give it time and leave to speak2 and take care thou refuse not ,him that speaketh4 ,be retired1 silent1 passive1 and humbly attentive to this new risen light within thee4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,it is hardly to be wondered at that he should lose the finer consciousness of higher powers and deeper feelings1 not from any behavior in itself wrong1 but from the hurry1 noise1 and tumult in the streets of life1 that1 penetrating too deep into the house of life1 dazed and stupefied the silent and lonely watcher in the chamber of conscience1 far apart4 ,he had no time to think or feel4 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,august #bf ,be silent1 ,o all flesh1 before the ,lord4--,,zech4 ii4 #ac4 ,be earth1 with all her scenes1 withdrawn2 ,let noise and vanity be gone3 ,in secret silence of the mind1 ,my heaven1 and there my ,god1 ,i find4 ,i4 ,,watts4 ,it is only with the pious affection of the will that we can be spiritually attentive to ,god4 ,as long as the noisy restlessness of the thoughts goes on1 the gentle and holy desires of the new nature are overpowered and inactive4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,greaves4 ,there is hardly ever a complete silence in our soul4 ,god is whispering to us wellnigh incessantly4 ,whenever the sounds of the world die out in the soul1 or sink low1 then we hear these whisperings of ,god4 ,he is always whispering to us1 only we do not always hear1 because of the noise1 hurry1 and distraction which life causes as it rushes on4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,the prayer of faith is a sincere1 sweet1 and quiet view of divine1 eternal truth4 ,the soul rests quiet1 perceiving and loving ,god2 sweetly rejecting all the imaginations that present themselves1 calming the mind in the ,divine presence1 and fixing it only on ,god4 ,m4 ,,de ,,molinos4 ,august #bg ,being confident of this very thing1 that ,he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it4--,,phil4 i4 #f4 ,he that endureth to the end shall be saved4--,,matt4 x4 #bb4 ,fill with inviolable peace2 ,stablish and keep my settled heart2 ,in ,thee may all my wanderings cease1 ,from ,thee no more may ,i depart3 ,thy utmost goodness called to prove1 ,loved with an everlasting love6 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,if any sincere ,christian cast himself with his whole will upon the ,divine ,presence which dwells within him1 he shall be kept safe unto the end4 ,what is it that makes us unable to persevere8 ,is it want of strength8 ,by no means4 ,we have with us the strength of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,when did we ever set ourselves sincerely to any work according to the will of ,god1 and fail for want of strength8 ,it was not that strength failed the will1 but that the will failed first4 ,if we could but embrace the ,divine will with the whole love of ours2 cleaving to it1 and holding fast by it1 we should be borne along as upon the river of the water of life4 ,we open only certain chambers of our will to the influence of the ,divine will4 ,we are afraid of being wholly absorbed into it4 ,and yet1 if we would have peace1 we must be altogether united to ,him4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,august #bh ,they that know ,thy name will put their trust in ,thee3 for ,thou1 ,lord1 hast not forsaken them that seek ,thee4--,,ps4 ix4 #aj4 ,yea1 the ,lord shall give that which is good4--,,ps4 lxxxv4 #ab4 ,in ,thee ,i place my trust1 ,on ,thee ,i calmly rest2 ,i know ,thee good1 ,i know ,thee just1 ,and count ,thy choice the best4 ,h4 ,f4 ,,lyte4 ,the souls that would really be richer in duty in some new position1 are precisely those who borrow no excuses from the old one2 who even esteem it full of privileges1 plenteous in occasions of good1 frequent in divine appeals1 which they chide their graceless and unloving temper for not heeding more4 ,wretched and barren is the discontent that quarrels with its tools instead of with its skill2 and1 by criticising ,providence1 manages to keep up complacency with self4 ,how gentle should we be1 if we were not provoked2 how pious1 if we were not busy2 the sick would be patient1 only he is not in health2 the obscure would do great things1 only he is not conspicuous6 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,august #bi ,am ,i my brother's keeper8--,,gen4 iv4 #i4 ,because ,i held upon my selfish1 road1 ,and left my brother wounded by the way1 ,and called ambition duty1 and pressed on-- ,o ,lord1 ,i do repent4 ,,sarah ,,williams4 ,how many are the sufferers who have fallen amongst misfortunes along the wayside of life6 ,by chance we come that way2 chance1 accident1 ,providence1 has thrown them in our way2 we see them from a distance1 like the ,priest1 or we come upon them suddenly1 like the ,levite2 our business1 our pleasure1 is interrupted by the sight1 is troubled by the delay2 what are our feelings1 what our actions towards them8 ,who is thy neighbor8 ,it is the sufferer1 wherever1 whoever1 whatsoever he be4 ,wherever thou hearest the cry of distress1 wherever thou seest any one brought across thy path by the chances and changes of life 7that is1 by the ,providence of ,god71 whom it is in thy power to help1--he1 stranger or enemy though he be1--he is thy neighbor4 ,a4 ,p4 ,,stanley4 ,august #cj ,walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called1 with all lowliness and meekness1 with long-suffering1 forbearing one another in love4--,,eph4 iv4 #a1 #b4 ,help us1 ,o ,lord1 with patient love to bear ,each other's faults1 to suffer with true meekness2 ,help us each other's joys and griefs to share1 ,but let us turn to ,thee alone in weakness4 ,,anon4 ,you should make a special point of asking ,god every morning to give you1 before all else1 that true spirit of meekness which ,he would have ,his children possess4 ,you must also make a firm resolution to practise yourself in this virtue1 especially in your intercourse with those persons to whom you chiefly owe it4 ,you must make it your main object to conquer yourself in this matter2 call it to mind a hundred times during the day1 commending your efforts to ,god4 ,it seems to me that no more than this is needed in order to subject your soul entirely to ,his will1 and then you will become more gentle day by day1 trusting wholly in ,his goodness4 ,you will be very happy1 my dearest child1 if you can do this1 for ,god will dwell in your heart2 and where ,he reigns all is peace4 ,but if you should fail1 and commit some of your old faults1 do not be disheartened1 but rise up and go on again1 as though you had not fallen4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,august #ca ,now therefore keep thy sorrow to thyself1 and bear with a good courage that which hath befallen thee4--#b ,,esdras x4 #ae4 ,go1 bury thy sorrow1 ,the world hath its share2 ,go1 bury it deeply1 ,go1 hide it with care4 ,go1 bury thy sorrow1 ,let others be blest2 ,go1 give them the sunshine1 ,and tell ,god the rest4 ,,anon4 ,our veiled and terrible guest ,trouble brings for us1 if we will accept it1 the boon of fortitude1 patience1 self-control1 wisdom1 sympathy1 faith4 ,if we reject that1 then we find in our hands the other gift1--cowardice1 weakness1 isolation1 despair4 ,if your trouble seems to have in it no other possibility of good1 at least set yourself to bear it like a man4 ,let none of its weight come on other shoulders4 ,try to carry it so that no one shall even see it4 ,though your heart be sad within1 let cheer go out from you to others4 ,meet them with a kindly presence1 considerate words1 helpful acts4 ,g4 ,s4 ,,merriam4 ,september #a ,let them that suffer according to the will of ,god commit the keeping of their souls to ,him in welldoing1 as unto a faithful ,creator4--,i ,,peter iv4 #ai4 ,the ,lord is very pitiful1 and of tender mercy4--,,james v4 #aa4 ,on ,thy compassion ,i repose ,in weakness and distress3 ,i will not ask for greater ease1 ,lest ,i should love ,thee less2 ,oh1 'tis a blessed thing for me ,to need ,thy tenderness4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,oh1 look not at thy pain or sorrow1 how great soever2 but look from them1 look off them1 look beyond them1 to the ,deliverer6 whose power is over them1 and whose loving1 wise1 and tender spirit is able to do thee good by them4 ,the ,lord lead thee1 day by day1 in the right way1 and keep thy mind stayed upon ,him1 in whatever befalls thee2 that the belief of ,his love and hope in ,his mercy1 when thou art at the lowest ebb1 may keep up thy head above the billows4 ,,isaac ,,penington ,september #b ,blessed are the peacemakers3 for they shall be called the children of ,god4--,,matt4 v4 #f4 ,grant us ,thy peace1 down from ,thy presence falling1 ,as on the thirsty earth cool night-dews sweet2 ,grant us ,thy peace1 to ,thy pure paths recalling1 ,from devious ways1 our worn and wandering feet4 ,e4 ,,scudder4 ,o ,god1 who art ,peace everlasting1 whose chosen reward is the gift of peace1 and who hast taught us that the peacemakers are ,thy children1 pour ,thy sweet peace into our souls1 that everything discordant may utterly vanish1 and all that makes for peace be sweet to us forever4 ,amen4 ,,gelasian ,,sacramentary1 ,a4 ,d4 #dib4 ,have you ever thought seriously of the meaning of that blessing given to the peacemakers8 ,people are always expecting to get peace in heaven2 but you know whatever peace they get there will be ready-made4 ,whatever making of peace they can be blest for1 must be on the earth here3 not the taking of arms against1 but the building of nests amidst1 its sea of troubles like the halcyons4 ,difficult enough1 you think8 ,perhaps so1 but ,i do not see that any of us try4 ,we complain of the want of many things--we want votes1 we want liberty1 we want amusement1 we want money4 ,which of us feels or knows that he wants peace8 ,j4 ,,ruskin4 ,september #c ,the eyes of all wait upon ,thee2 and ,thou givest them their meat in due season4--,,ps4 cxlv4 #ae4 ,what time ,i am afraid1 ,i will trust in ,thee4--,,ps4 lvi4 #c4 ,late on me1 weeping1 did this whisper fall3 ,dear child1 there is no need to weep at all6 ,why go about to grieve and to despair8 ,why weep now through thy ,future's eyes1 and bear ,in vain to-day to-morrow's load of care8 ,h4 ,s4 ,,sutton4 ,the crosses of the present moment always bring their own special grace and consequent comfort with them2 we see the hand of ,god in them when it is laid upon us4 ,but the crosses of anxious foreboding are seen out of the dispensation of ,god2 we see them without grace to bear them2 we see them indeed through a faithless spirit which banishes grace4 ,so1 everything in them is bitter and unendurable2 all seems dark and helpless4 ,let us throw self aside2 no more self-interest1 and then ,god's will1 unfolding every moment in everything1 will console us also every moment for all that ,he shall do around us1 or within us1 for our discipline4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,september #d ,his delight is in the law of the ,lord4 ,and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water1 that bringeth forth his fruit in his season2 his leaf also shall not wither2 and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper4--,,ps4 i4 #b1 #c4 ,the wind that blows can never kill ,the tree ,god plants2 ,it bloweth east2 it bloweth west2 ,the tender leaves have little rest1 ,but any wind that blows is best4 ,the tree ,god plants ,strikes deeper root1 grows higher still1 ,spreads wider boughs1 for ,god's good-will ,meets all its wants4 ,,lillie ,e4 ,,barr4 ,it is a fatal mistake to suppose that we cannot be holy except on the condition of a situation and circumstances in life such as shall suit ourselves4 ,it is one of the first principles of holiness to leave our times and our places1 our going out and our coming2 in1 our wasted and our goodly heritage entirely with the ,lord4 ,here1 ,o ,lord1 hast ,thou placed us1 and we will glorify ,thee here6 ,t4 ,c4 ,,upham4 ,it is not by change of circumstances1 but by fitting our spirits to the circumstances in which ,god has placed us1 that we can be reconciled to life and duty4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,september #e ,o ,lord1 ,i am oppressed1 undertake for me4--,,isa4 xxxviii4 #ad4 ,being perplexed1 ,i say1 ,lord1 make it right6 ,night is as day to ,thee1 ,darkness is light4 ,i am afraid to touch ,things that involve so much2-- ,my trembling hand may shake1 ,my skill-less hand may break3 ,thine can make no mistake4 ,,anna ,b4 ,,warner4 ,the many troubles in your household will tend to your edification1 if you strive to bear them all in gentleness1 patience1 and kindness4 ,keep this ever before you1 and remember constantly that ,god's loving eyes are upon you amid all these little worries and vexations1 watching whether you take them as ,he would desire4 ,offer up all such occasions to ,him1 and if sometimes you are put out1 and give way to impatience1 do not be discouraged1 but make haste to regain your lost composure4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,september #f ,if any man will come after me1 let him deny himself1 and take up his cross daily1 and follow me4--,,luke ix4 #bc4 ,there lies thy cross2 beneath it meekly bow2 ,it fits thy stature now2 ,who scornful pass it with averted eye1 ',twill crush them by and by4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,to take up the cross of ,christ is no great action done once for all2 it consists in the continual practice of small duties which are distasteful to us4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,on one occasion an intimate friend of his was fretting somewhat at not being able to put a cross on the grave of a relation1 because the rest of the family disliked it4 ,don't you see1 he said to her1 that by giving up your own way1 you will be virtually putting a cross on the grave8 ,you 'll have it in its effect4 ,the one is but a stone cross1 the other is a true spiritual cross4 ,,life ,,of ,,james ,,hinton4 ,i would have you1 one by one1 ask yourselves1 ,wherein do ,i take up the cross daily8 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,every morning1 receive thine own special cross from the hands of thy heavenly ,father4 ,l4 ,,scupoli4 ,september #g ,pure religion and undefiled before ,god and the ,father is this1 ,to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction1 and to keep himself unspotted from the world4--,,james i4 #bg4 ,not to ease and aimless quiet ,doth that inward answer tend1 ,but to works of love and duty ,as our being's end4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,it is surprising how practical duty enriches the fancy and the heart1 and action clears and deepens the affections4 ,indeed1 no one can have a true idea of right1 until he does it2 any genuine reverence for it1 till he has done it often and with cost2 any peace ineffable in it1 till he does it always and with alacrity4 ,does any one complain1 that the best affections are transient visitors with him1 and the heavenly spirit a stranger to his heart8 ,oh1 let him not go forth1 on any strained wing of thought1 in distant quest of them2 but rather stay at home1 and set his house in the true order of conscience2 and of their own accord the divinest guests will enter4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,september #h ,continue in prayer1 and watch in the same with thanksgiving4--,,col4 iv4 #b4 ,watch ye1 stand fast in the faith1 quit you like men1 be strong4--,i ,,cor4 xvi4 #ac4 ,we kneel how weak1 we rise how full of power4 ,why therefore should we do ourselves this wrong1 ,or others--that we are not always strong1 ,that we are ever overborne with care1 ,that we should ever weak or heartless be1 ,anxious or troubled1 when with us is prayer1 ,and joy and strength and courage are with ,thee8 ,r4 ,c4 ,,trench4 ,it is impossible for us to make the duties of our lot minister to our sanctification without a habit of devout fellowship with ,god4 ,this is the spring of all our life1 and the strength of it4 ,it is prayer1 meditation1 and converse with ,god1 that refreshes1 restores1 and renews the temper of our minds1 at all times1 under all trials1 after all conflicts with the world4 ,by this contact with the world unseen we receive continual accesses of strength4 ,as our day1 so is our strength4 ,without this healing and refreshing of spirit1 duties grow to be burdens1 the events of life chafe our temper1 employments lower the tone of our minds1 and we become fretful1 irritable1 and impatient4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,september #i ,this is a faithful saying1 and these things ,i will that thou affirm constantly1 that they which have believed in ,god might be careful to maintain good works4--,,titus iii4 #h4 ,faith's meanest deed more favor bears ,where hearts and wills are weighed1 ,than brightest transports1 choicest prayers1 ,which bloom their hour and fade4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,one secret act of self-denial1 one sacrifice of inclination to duty1 is worth all the mere good thoughts1 warm feelings1 passionate prayers1 in which idle people indulge themselves4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,it is impossible for us to live in fellowship with ,god without holiness in all the duties of life4 ,these things act and react on each other4 ,without a diligent and faithful obedience to the calls and claims of others upon us1 our religious profession is simply dead4 ,to disobey conscience when it points to relative duties irritates the whole temper1 and quenches the first beginnings of devotion4 ,we cannot go from strife1 breaches1 and angry words1 to ,god4 ,selfishness1 an imperious will1 want of sympathy with the sufferings and sorrows of other men1 neglect of charitable offices1 suspicions1 hard censures of those with whom our lot is cast1 will miserably darken our own hearts1 and hide the face of ,god from us4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,september #aj ,lord1 not my feet only1 but also my hands and my head4--,,john xiii4 #i4 ,take my hands1 and let them move ,at the impulse of ,thy love4 ,take my feet1 and let them be ,swift and beautiful for ,thee4 ,take my intellect1 and use ,every power as ,thou shall choose4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,if a man may attain thereunto1 to be unto ,god as his hand is to a man1 let him be therewith content1 and not seek further4 ,that is to say1 let him strive and wrestle with all his might to obey ,god and ,his commandments so thoroughly at all times1 and in all things1 that in him there be nothing1 spiritual or natural1 which opposeth ,god2 and that his whole soul and body1 with all their members1 may stand ready and willing for that to which ,god hath created them2 as ready and willing as his hand is to a man1 which is so wholly in his power1 that in the twinkling of an eye1 he moveth and turneth it whither he will4 ,and when we find it otherwise with us1 we must give our whole diligence to amend our state4 ,,theologia ,,germanica4 ,when the mind thinks nothing1 when the soul covets nothing1 and the body acteth nothing that is contrary to the will of ,god1 this is perfect sanctification4 ,,anonymous1 in an old ,bible1 #aeii4 ,september #aa ,thy kingdom come4--,,matt4 vi4 #aj4 ,the kingdom of established peace1 ,which can no more remove2 ,the perfect powers of godliness1 ,the omnipotence of love4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,my child1 thou mayest not measure out thine offering unto me by what others have done or left undone2 but be it thine to seek out1 even to the last moment of thine earthly life1 what is the utmost height of pure devotion to which ,i have called thine own self4 ,remember that1 if thou fall short of this1 each time thou utterest in prayer the words1 ,hallowed be ,thy name1 ,thy kingdom come1 thou dost most fearfully condemn thyself1 for is it not a mockery to ask for that thou wilt not seek to promote even unto the uttermost1 within the narrow compass of thine own heart and spirit8 ,,the ,,divine ,,master4 ,if you do not wish for ,his kingdom1 don't pray for it4 ,but if you do1 you must do more than pray for it2 you must work for it4 ,j4 ,,ruskin4 ,september #ab ,she obeyed not the voice2 she received not correction2 she trusted not ,in the ,lord2 she drew not near to her ,god4--,,zeph4 iii4 #b4 ,oh6 let us not this thought allow2 ,the heat1 the dust upon our brow1 ,signs of the contest1 we may wear2 ,yet thus we shall appear more fair ,in our ,almighty ,master's eye1 ,than if in fear to lose the bloom1 ,or ruffle the soul's lightest plume1 ,we from the strife should fly4 ,r4 ,c4 ,,trench4 ,if ,god requires anything of us1 we have no right to draw back under the pretext that we are liable to commit some fault in obeying4 ,it is better to obey imperfectly than not at all4 ,perhaps you ought to rebuke some one dependent on you1 but you are silent for fear of giving way to vehemence2--or you avoid the society of certain persons1 because they make you cross and impatient4 ,how are you to attain self-control1 if you shun all occasions of practising it8 ,is not such self-choosing a greater fault than those into which you fear to fall8 ,aim at a steady mind to do right1 go wherever duty calls you1 and believe firmly that ,god will forgive the faults that take our weakness by surprise in spite of our sincere desire to please ,him4 ,,jean ,,nicolas ,,grou4 ,september #ac ,it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the ,lord4--,,lam4 iii4 #bf4 ,truly my soul waiteth upon ,god3 from ,him cometh my salvation4--,,ps4 lxii4 ,i4 ,not so in haste1 my heart2 ,have faith in ,god1 and wait2 ,although ,he linger long1 ,he never comes too late4 ,,anon4 ,the true use to be made of all the imperfections of which you are conscious is neither to justify1 nor to condemn them1 but to present them before ,god1 conforming your will to ,his1 and remaining in peace2 for peace is the divine order1 in whatever state we may be4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,you will find it less easy to uproot faults1 than to choke them by gaining virtues4 ,do not think of your faults2 still less of others' faults2 in every person who comes near you look for what is good and strong3 honor that2 rejoice in it2 and1 as you can1 try to imitate it2 and your faults will drop off1 like dead leaves1 when their time comes4 ,j4 ,,ruskin4 ,september #ad ,call unto me1 and ,i will answer thee1 and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not4--,,jer4 xxxiii4 #c4 ,and ,i have also given thee that which thou hast not asked4--,i ,,kings iii4 #ac4 ,no voice of prayer to ,thee can rise1 ,but swift as light ,thy ,love replies2 ,not always what we ask1 indeed1 ,but1 ,o most ,kind6 what most we need4 ,h4 ,m4 ,,kimball4 ,if you have any trial which seems intolerable1 pray1--pray that it be relieved or changed4 ,there is no harm in that4 ,we may pray for anything1 not wrong in itself1 with perfect freedom1 if we do not pray selfishly4 ,one disabled from duty by sickness may pray for health1 that he may do his work2 or one hemmed in by internal impediments may pray for utterance1 that he may serve better the truth and the right4 ,or1 if we have a besetting sin1 we may pray to be delivered from it1 in order to serve ,god and man1 and not be ourselves ,satans to mislead and destroy4 ,but the answer to the prayer may be1 as it was to ,paul1 not the removal of the thorn1 but1 instead1 a growing insight into its meaning and value4 ,the voice of ,god in our soul may show us1 as we look up to ,him1 that ,his strength is enough to enable us to bear it4 ,j4 ,f4 ,,clarke4 ,september #ae ,can ye drink of the cup that ,i drink of8 and be baptized with the baptism that ,i am baptized with8--,,mark4 x4 #ch4 ,whate'er my ,god ordains is right2 ,though ,i the cup must drink ,that bitter seems to my faint heart1 ,i will not fear nor shrink4 ,s4 ,,rodigast4 ,the worst part of martyrdom is not the last agonizing moment2 it is the wearing1 daily steadfastness4 ,men who can make up their minds to hold out against the torture of an hour have sunk under the weariness and the harass of small prolonged vexations4 ,and there are many ,christians who have the weight of some deep1 incommunicable grief pressing1 cold as ice1 upon their hearts4 ,to bear that cheerfully and manfully is to be a martyr4 ,there is many a ,christian bereaved and stricken in the best hopes of life4 ,for such a one to say quietly1 ,father1 not as ,i will1 but as ,thou wilt1 is to be a martyr4 ,there is many a ,christian who feels the irksomeness of the duties of life1 and feels his spirit revolting from them4 ,to get up every morning with the firm resolve to find pleasure in those duties1 and do them well1 and finish the work which ,god has given us to do1 that is to drink ,christ's cup4 ,the humblest occupation has in it materials of discipline for the highest heaven4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,september #af ,for the whole world before thee is as a little grain of the balance1 yea1 as a drop of the morning dew that falleth down upon the earth4 ,but ,thou hast mercy upon all4 ,for ,thou lovest all the things that are4--,,wisdom ,,of ,,solomon xi4 #bb-bd4 ,oh6 ,source divine1 and ,life of all1 ,the ,fount of ,being's fearful sea1 ,thy depth would every heart appal1 ,that saw not love supreme in ,thee4 ,j4 ,,sterling4 ,he showed a little thing1 the quantity of a hazel-nut1 lying in the palm of my hand1 as meseemed1 and it was as round as a ball4 ,i looked thereon with the eye of my understanding1 and thought1 ,what may this be8 and it was answered generally thus1 ,it is all that is made4 ,i marvelled how it might last2 for methought it might suddenly have fallen to naught for littleness4 ,and ,i was answered in my understanding1 ,it lasteth1 and ever shall3 ,for ,god loveth it4 ,and so hath all thing being by the ,love of ,god4 ,in this little thing ,i saw three properties4 ,the first is1 that ,god made it4 ,the second is1 that ,god loveth it4 ,the third is1 that ,god keepeth it4 ,for this is the cause which we be not all in ease of heart and soul3 for we seek here rest in this thing which is so little1 where no rest is in3 and we know not our ,god that is all ,mighty1 all ,wise1 and all ,good1 for ,he is very rest4 ,,mother ,,juliana1 #acgc4 ,september #ag ,whosoever will be great among you1 shall be your minister3 and whosoever of you will be the chiefest1 shall be servant of all4 ,for even the ,son of man came not to be ministered unto1 but to minister1 and to give his life a ransom for many4--,,mark x4 #dc-de4 ,a child's kiss ,set on thy sighing lips1 shall make thee glad2 ,a poor man served by thee1 shall make thee rich2 ,a sick man helped by thee1 shall make thee strong2 ,thou shalt be served thyself by every sense ,of service which thou renderest4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,browning4 ,let every man lovingly cast all his thoughts and cares1 and his sins too1 as it were1 on the ,will of ,god4 ,moreover1 if a man1 while busy in this lofty inward work1 were called by some duty in the ,providence of ,god to cease therefrom1 and cook a broth for some sick person1 or any other such service1 he should do so willingly and with great joy4 ,if ,i had to forsake such work1 and go out to preach or aught else1 ,i should go cheerfully1 believing not only that ,god would be with me1 but that he would vouchsafe me it may be even greater grace and blessing in that external work undertaken out of true love in the service of my neighbor1 than ,i should perhaps receive in my season of loftiest contemplation4 ,,john ,,tauler4 ,september #ah ,all the paths of the ,lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep ,his covenant and ,his testimonies4--,,ps4 xxv4 #aj4 ,speak1 ,lord1 for ,thy servant heareth1 ,speak peace to my anxious soul1 ,and help me to feel that all my ways ,are under ,thy wise control2 ,that ,he who cares for the lily1 ,and heeds the sparrows' fall1 ,shall tenderly lead ,his loving child3 ,for ,he made and loveth all4 ,,anon4 ,it is not by seeking more fertile regions where toil is lighter--happier circumstances free from difficult complications and troublesome people--but by bringing the high courage of a devout soul1 clear in principle and aim1 to bear upon what is given to us1 that we brighten our inward light1 lead something of a true life1 and introduce the kingdom of heaven into the midst of our earthly day4 ,if we cannot work out the will of ,god where ,god has placed us1 then why has ,he placed us there8 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,september #ai ,pray for us unto the ,lord thy ,god444 that the ,lord thy ,god may show us the way wherein we may walk1 and the thing that we may do4--,,jer4 xlii4 #b1 #c4 ,that which ,i see not1 teach ,thou me4--,,job xxxiv4 #cb4 ,o father1 hear6 ,the way is dark1 and ,i would fain discern ,what steps to take1 into which path to turn2 ,oh6 make it clear4 ,,christian ,,intelligencer4 ,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 that1 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 ,there was a care on my mind so to pass my time1 that nothing might hinder me from the most steady attention to the voice of the true ,shepherd4 ,,john ,,woolman4 ,september #bj ,thou shalt hide them in the secret of ,thy presence from the pride of man3 ,thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues4--,,ps4 xxxi4 #bj4 ,the praying spirit breathe1 ,the watching power impart1 ,from all entanglements beneath ,call off my anxious heart4 ,my feeble mind sustain1 ,by worldly thoughts oppressed2 ,appear1 and bid me turn again ,to my eternal rest4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,as soon as we are with ,god in faith and in love1 we are in prayer4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,if you could once make up your mind in the fear of ,god never to undertake more work of any sort than you can carry on calmly1 quietly1 without hurry or flurry1 and the instant you feel yourself growing nervous and like one out of breath1 would stop and take breath1 you would find this simple common-sense rule doing for you what no prayers or tears could ever accomplish4 ,,elizabeth ,,prentiss4 ,september #ba ,how excellent is ,thy loving-kindness1 ,o ,god6 therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of ,thy wings4--,,ps4 xxxvi4 #g4 ,the eternal ,god is thy refuge1 and underneath are the everlasting arms4--,,deut4 xxxiii4 #bg4 ,within ,thy circling arms we lie1 ,o ,god6 in ,thy infinity3 ,our souls in quiet shall abide1 ,beset with love on every side4 ,,anon4 ,the ,everlasting ,arms4 ,i think of that whenever rest is sweet4 ,how the whole earth and the strength of it1 that is almightiness1 is beneath every tired creature to give it rest2 holding us1 always6 ,no thought of ,god is closer than that4 ,no human tenderness of patience is greater than that which gathers in its arms a little child1 and holds it1 heedless of weariness4 ,and ,he fills the great earth1 and all upon it1 with this unseen force of ,his love1 that never forgets or exhausts itself1 so that everywhere we may lie down in ,his bosom1 and be comforted4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,september #bb ,the word is very nigh unto thee1 in thy mouth1 and in thy heart1 that thou mayest do it4--,,deut4 xxx4 #ad4 ,but1 above all1 the victory is most sure ,for him1 who1 seeking faith by virtue1 strives ,to yield entire obedience to the ,law ,of ,conscience2 ,conscience reverenced and obeyed1 ,as ,god's most intimate presence in the soul1 ,and ,his most perfect image in the world4 ,w4 ,,wordsworth4 ,what we call ,conscience is the voice of ,divine love in the deep of our being1 desiring union with our will2 and which1 by attracting the affections inward1 invites them to enter into the harmonious contentment1 and fulness of joy which attends the being joined by one spirit to the ,lord4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,greaves4 ,i rejoice that ,god has bestowed upon you a relish and inclination for the inner life4 ,to be called to this precious and lofty life is a great and undeserved grace of ,god1 to which we ought to respond with great faithfulness4 ,god invites us to ,his fellowship of love1 and wishes to prepare our spirit to be ,his own abode and temple4 ,,gerhard ,,tersteegen4 ,september #bc ,show me ,thy ways1 ,o ,lord2 teach me ,thy paths--,,ps4 xxv4 #d4 ,when we cannot see our way1 ,let us trust and still obey2 ,he who bids us forward go1 ,cannot fail the way to show4 ,though the sea be deep and wide1 ,though a passage seem denied2 ,fearless let us still proceed1 ,since the ,lord vouchsafes to lead4 ,,anon4 ,that which is often asked of ,god1 is not so much ,his will and way1 as ,his approval of our way4 ,s4 ,f4 ,,smiley4 ,there is nothing like the first glance we get at duty1 before there has been any special pleading of our affections or inclinations4 ,duty is never uncertain at first4 ,it is only after we have got involved in the mazes and sophistries of wishing that things were otherwise than they are1 that it seems indistinct4 ,considering a duty is often only explaining it away4 ,deliberation is often only dishonesty4 ,god's guidance is plain1 when we are true4 ,f4 ,w1 ,,robertson4 ,september #bd ,when ,i awake1 ,i am still with ,thee4--,,ps4 cxxxix4 #ah4 ,let the glow of love destroy ,cold obedience faintly given2 ,wake our hearts to strength and joy ,with the flushing eastern heaven4 ,c4 ,k4 ,,von ,,rosenroth4 ,with his first waking consciousness1 he can set himself to take a serious1 manly view of the day before him4 ,he ought to know pretty well on what lines his difficulty is likely to come1 whether in being irritable1 or domineering1 or sharp in his bargains1 or self-absorbed1 or whatever it be2 and now1 in this quiet hour1 he can take a good1 full look at his enemy1 and make up his mind to beat him4 ,it is a good time1 too1 for giving his thoughts a range quite beyond himself1--beyond even his own moral struggles1--a good time1 there in the stillness1 for going into the realm of other lives4 ,his wife1--what needs has she for help1 for sympathy1 that he can meet8 ,his children1--how can he make the day sweeter to them8 ,this acquaintance1 who is having a hard time2 this friend1 who dropped a word to you yesterday that you hardly noticed in your hurry1 but that comes up to you now1 revealing in him some finer trait1 some deeper hunger1 than you had guessed before1--now you can think these things over4 ,g4 ,s4 ,,merriam4 ,september #be ,ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto1 ye and your households1 wherein the ,lord thy ,god hath blessed thee4--,,deut4 xii4 #g4 ,sweet is the smile of home2 the mutual look ,when hearts are of each other sure2 ,sweet all the joys that crowd the household nook1 ,the haunt of all affections pure4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,is there any tie which absence has loosened1 or which the wear and tear of every-day intercourse1 little uncongenialities1 unconfessed misunderstandings1 have fretted into the heart1 until it bears something of the nature of a fetter8 ,any cup at our home-table whose sweetness we have not fully tasted1 although it might yet make of our daily bread a continual feast8 ,let us reckon up these treasures while they are still ours1 in thankfulness to ,god4 ,,elizabeth ,,charles4 ,we ought daily or weekly to dedicate a little time to the reckoning up of the virtues of our belongings1--wife1 children1 friends1--contemplating them then in a beautiful collection4 ,and we should do so now1 that we may not pardon and love in vain and too late1 after the beloved one has been taken away from us to a better world4 ,,jean ,,paul ,,richter4 ,september #bf ,yea1 though ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil3 for ,thou art with me2 ,thy rod and ,thy staff they comfort me4--,,ps4 xxiii4 #d4 ,o will1 that wiliest good alone1 ,lead ,thou the way1 ,thou guides6 best2 ,a silent child1 ,i follow on1 ,and trusting lean upon ,thy breast4 ,and if in gloom ,i see ,thee not1 ,i lean upon ,thy love unknown2 ,in me ,thy blessed will is wrought1 ,if ,i will nothing of my own4 ,,gerhard ,,tersteegen4 ,the devout soul is always safe in every state1 if it makes everything an occasion either of rising up1 or falling down into the hands of ,god1 and exercising faith1 and trust1 and resignation to ,him4 ,the pious soul1 that eyes only ,god1 that means nothing but being ,his alone1 can have no stop put to its progress2 light and darkness equally assist him3 in the light he looks up to ,god1 in the darkness he lays hold on ,god1 and so they both do him the same good4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,september #bg ,when ,i sit in darkness1 the ,lord shall be a light unto me4--,,micah vii4 #h4 ,there be many that say1 ,who will show us any good8 ,lord1 lift ,thou up the light of ,thy countenance upon us4--,,ps4 iv4 #f4 ,how oft a gleam of glory sent ,straight through the deepest1 darkest night1 ,has filled the soul with heavenly light1 ,with holy peace and sweet content4 ,,anon4 ,suppose you are bewildered and know not what is right nor what is true4 ,can you not cease to regard whether you do or not1 whether you be bewildered1 whether you be happy8 ,cannot you utterly and perfectly love1 and rejoice to be in the dark1 and gloom-beset1 because that very thing is the fact of ,god's ,infinite ,being as it is to you8 ,cannot you take this trial also into your own heart1 and be ignorant1 not because you are obliged1 but because that being ,god's will1 it is yours also8 ,do you not see that a person who truly loves is one with the ,infinite ,being--cannot be uncomfortable or unhappy8 ,it is that which is that he wills and desires and holds best of all to be4 ,to know ,god is utterly to sacrifice self4 ,,james ,,hinton4 ,september #bh ,my little children1 let us not love in word1 neither in tongue2 but in deed1 and in truth4--,i ,,john iii4 #ah4 ,but be ye doers of the word1 and not hearers only1 deceiving your own selves4--,,james i4 #bb4 ,thrice blest whose lives are faithful prayers1 ,whose loves in higher love endure2 ,what souls possess themselves so pure1 ,or is there blessedness like theirs8 ,a4 ,,tennyson4 ,let every creature have your love4 ,love1 with its fruits of meekness1 patience1 and humility1 is all that we can wish for to ourselves1 and our fellow-creatures2 for this is to live in ,god1 united to ,him1 both for time and eternity4 ,to desire to communicate good to every creature1 in the degree we can1 and it is capable of receiving from us1 is a divine temper2 for thus ,god stands unchangeably disposed towards the whole creation4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,what shall be our reward for loving our neighbor as ourselves in this life8 ,that1 when we become angels1 we shall be enabled to love him better than ourselves4 ,e4 ,,swedenborg4 ,september #bi ,blessed are the pure in heart3 for they shall see ,god4--,,matt4 v4 #h4 ,follow peace with all men1 and holiness1 without which no man shall see the ,lord4--,,heb4 xii4 #ad4 ,since ,thou ,thyself dost still display ,unto the pure in heart1 ,oh1 make us children of the day ,to know ,thee as ,thou art4 ,for ,thou art light and life and love2 ,and ,thy redeemed below ,may see ,thee as ,thy saints above1 ,and know ,thee as they know4 ,j4 ,,montgomery4 ,doubt1 gloom1 impatience1 have been expelled2 joy has taken their place1 the hope of heaven and the harmony of a pure heart1 the triumph of self-mastery1 sober thoughts1 and a contented mind4 ,how can charity towards all men fail to follow1 being the mere affectionateness of innocence and peace8 ,thus the ,spirit of ,god creates in us the simplicity and warmth of heart which children have1 nay1 rather the perfections of ,his heavenly hosts1 high and low being joined together in ,his mysterious work2 for what are implicit trust1 ardent love1 abiding purity1 but the mind both of little children and of the adoring seraphim6 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,september #cj ,lord1 who shall abide in ,thy tabernacle8 who shall dwell in ,thy holy hill8 ,he that walketh uprightly1 and worketh righteousness1 and speaketh the truth in his heart4--,,ps4 xv4 #a1 #b4 ,how happy is he born or taught1 ,that serveth not another's will1 ,whose armor is his honest thought1 ,and simple truth his utmost skill4 ,h4 ,,wotton4 ,if thou workest at that which is before thee1 following right reason1 seriously1 vigorously1 calmly1 without allowing anything else to distract thee1 but keeping thy divine part pure as if thou shouldest be bound to give it back immediately1--if thou boldest to this1 expecting nothing1 fearing nothing1 but satisfied with thy present activity according to nature1 and with heroic truth in every word and sound which thou utterest1 thou wilt live happy4 ,and there is no man who is able to prevent this4 ,,marcus ,,antoninus4 ,october #a ,be strong1 all ye people of the land1 saith the ,lord1 and work3 for ,i am with you1 saith the ,lord of hosts4--,,haggai ii4 #d1 ,yet the world is ,thy field1 ,thy garden2 ,on earth art ,thou still at home4 ,when ,thou bendest hither ,thy hallowing eye1 ,my narrow work-room seems vast and high1 ,its dingy ceiling a rainbow-dome1-- ,stand ever thus at my wide-swung door1 ,and toil will be toil no more4 ,l4 ,,larcom4 ,the situation that has not its duty1 its ideal1 was never yet occupied by man4 ,yes1 here1 in this poor1 miserable1 hampered1 despicable ,actual1 wherein thou even now standest1 here or nowhere is thy ,ideal3 work it out therefrom2 and working1 believe1 live1 be free4 ,fool6 the ,ideal is in thyself1 the impediment too is in thyself3 thy condition is but the stuff thou art to shape that same ,ideal out of3 what matters whether such stuff be of this sort or that1 so the form thou givest it be heroic1 be poetic4 ,o thou that pinest in the imprisonment of the ,actual1 and criest bitterly to the gods for a kingdom wherein to rule and create1 know this of a truth3 the thing thou seekest is already with thee1 here or nowhere1 couldst thou only see6 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,october #b ,i am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress4--,,ps4 xvii4 #c4 ,in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin3 but he that refraineth his lips is wise4--,,prov4 x4 #ai4 ,prune thou thy words2 the thoughts control ,that o'er thee swell and throng2 ,they will condense within thy soul1 ,and change to purpose strong4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,few men suspect how much mere talk fritters away spiritual energy1--that which should be spent in action1 spends itself in words4 ,hence he who restrains that love of talk1 lays up a fund of spiritual strength4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,do not flatter yourself that your thoughts are under due control1 your desires properly regulated1 or your dispositions subject as they should be to ,christian principle1 if your intercourse with others consists mainly of frivolous gossip1 impertinent anecdotes1 speculations on the character and affairs of your neighbors1 the repetition of former conversations1 or a discussion of the current petty scandal of society2 much less1 if you allow yourself in careless exaggeration on all these points1 and that grievous inattention to exact truth1 which is apt to attend the statements of those whose conversation is made up of these materials4 ,h4 ,,ware1 ,,jr4 ,october #c ,judge not1 that ye be not judged4--,,matt4 vii4 #a4 ,why beboldest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye1 but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye8--,,luke vi4 #da4 ,judge not2 the workings of his brain ,and of his heart thou canst not see2 ,what looks to thy dim eyes a stain1 ,in ,god's pure light may only be ,a scar1 brought from some well-won field1 ,where thou wouldst only faint and yield4 ,,adelaide ,a4 ,,procter4 ,when you behold an aspect for whose constant gloom and frown you cannot account1 whose unvarying cloud exasperates you by its apparent causelessness1 be sure that there is a canker somewhere1 and a canker not the less deeply corroding because concealed4 ,,charlotte ,,bronte4 ,while we are coldly discussing a man's career1 sneering at his mistakes1 blaming his rashness1 and labelling his opinions--,evangelical and narrow1 or ,latitudinarian and ,pantheistic1 or ,anglican and supercilious--that man1 in his solitude1 is perhaps shedding hot tears because his sacrifice is a hard one1 because strength and patience are failing him to speak the difficult word1 and do the difficult deed4 ,,george ,,eliot4 ,october #d ,be strong1 and of a good courage2 be not afraid1 neither be thou dismayed3 for the ,lord thy ,god is with thee whithersoever thou goest4--,,josh4 i4 #i4 ,by ,thine unerring ,spirit led1 ,we shall not in the desert stray2 ,we shall not full direction need1 ,nor miss our providential way2 ,as far from danger as from fear1 ,while love1 almighty love1 is near4 ,,charles ,,wesley4 ,watch your way then1 as a cautious traveller2 and don't be gazing at that mountain or river in the distance1 and saying1 ,how shall ,i ever get over them8 but keep to the present little inch that is before you1 and accomplish that in the little moment that belongs to it4 ,the mountain and the river can only be passed in the same way2 and1 when you come to them1 you will come to the light and strength that belong to them4 ,m4 ,a4 ,,kelty4 ,let not future things disturb thee1 for thou wilt come to them1 if it shall be necessary1 having with thee the same reason which thou now usest for present things4 ,,marcus ,,antoninus4 ,october #e ,say to them that are of a fearful heart1 ,be strong1 fear not4--,,isa4 xxxv4 #d4 ,why shouldst them fill to-day with sorrow ,about to-morrow1 ,my heart8 ,one watches all with care most true1 ,doubt not that ,he will give thee too ,thy part4 ,,paul ,,flemming4 ,the crosses which we make for ourselves by a restless anxiety as to the future1 are not crosses which come from ,god4 ,we show want of faith in ,him by our false wisdom1 wishing to forestall ,his arrangements1 and struggling to supplement ,his ,providence by our own providence4 ,the future is not yet ours2 perhaps it never will be4 ,if it comes1 it may come wholly different from what we have foreseen4 ,let us shut our eyes1 then1 to that which ,god hides from us1 and keeps in reserve in the treasures of ,his deep counsels4 ,let us worship without seeing2 let us be silent2 let us abide in peace4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,october #f ,i had fainted1 unless ,i bad believed to see the goodness of the ,lord in the land of the living--,,ps4 xxvii4 #ac4 ,i will surely do thee good4--,,gen4 xxxii4 #ab4 ,thou know'st not what is good for thee1 ,but ,god doth know1-- ,let ,him thy strong reliance be1 ,and rest thee so4 ,c4 ,f4 ,,gellert4 ,let us be very careful of thinking1 on the one hand1 that we have no work assigned us to do1 or1 on the other hand1 that what we have assigned to us is not the right thing for us4 ,if ever we can say in our hearts to ,god1 in reference to any daily duty1 ,this is not my place2 ,i would choose something dearer2 ,i am capable of something higher2 we are guilty not only of rebellion1 but of blasphemy4 ,it is equivalent to saying1 not only1 ,my heart revolts against ,thy commands1 but ,thy commands are unwise2 ,thine ,almighty guidance is unskilful2 ,thine omniscient eye has mistaken the capacities of ,thy creature2 ,thine infinite love is indifferent to the welfare of ,thy child4 ,,elizabeth ,,charles4 ,october #g ,and because ye are sons1 ,god hath sent the ,spirit of ,his ,son into your hearts1 crying1 ,abba1 ,father4--,,gal4 iv4 #f4 ,o ,lord1 forgive my sin1 ,and deign to put within ,a calm1 obedient heart1 a patient mind2 ,that ,i may murmur not1 ,though bitter seem my lot2 ,for hearts unthankful can no blessing find4 ,m4 ,,rutilius1 #afjd4 ,resignation to the ,divine ,will signifies a cheerful approbation and thankful acceptance of everything that comes from ,god4 ,it is not enough patiently to submit1 but we must thankfully receive and fully approve of everything that1 by the order of ,god's providence1 happens to us4 ,for there is no reason why we should be patient1 but what is as good and as strong a reason why we should be thankful4 ,whenever1 therefore1 you find yourself disposed to uneasiness or murmuring at any thing that is the effect of ,god's providence over you1 you must look upon yourself as denying either the wisdom or goodness of ,god4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,october #h ,ye shall not go out in haste1 for the ,lord will go before you2 and the ,god of ,israel will be your rearward4--,,isa4 lii4 #ab4 7,r4 ,v474 ,he that believeth shall not make haste4--,,isa4 xxviii4 #af4 ,holy ,spirit1 ,peace divine6 ,still this restless heart of mine2 ,speak to calm this tossing sea1 ,stayed in ,thy tranquillity4 ,s4 ,,longfellow4 ,in whatever you are called upon to do1 endeavor to maintain a calm1 collected1 and prayerful state of mind4 ,self-recollection is of great importance4 ,it is good for a man to quietly wait for the salvation of the ,lord4 ,he who is in what may be called a spiritual hurry1 or rather who runs without having evidence of being spiritually sent1 makes haste to no purpose4 ,t4 ,c4 ,,upham4 ,there is great fret and worry in always running after work2 it is not good intellectually or spiritually4 ,,annie ,,keary4 ,whenever we are outwardly excited we should cease to act2 but whenever we have a message from the spirit within1 we should execute it with calmness4 ,a fine day may excite one to act1 but it is much better that we act from the calm spirit in any day1 be the outward what it may4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,greaves4 ,october #i ,as for me and my house1 we will serve the ,lord4--,,josh4 xxiv4 #ae4 ,o happy house ,i and happy servitude6 ,where all alike one ,master own2 ,where daily duty1 in ,thy strength pursued1 ,is never hard or toilsome known2 ,where each one serves ,thee1 meek and lowly1 ,whatever ,thine appointment be1 ,till common tasks seem great and holy1 ,when they are done as unto ,thee4 ,c4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,spitta4 ,at ,dudson there was no rushing after anything1 either worldly or intellectual4 ,it was a home of constant activity1 issuing from1 and retiring to1 a centre of deep repose4 ,there was an earnest application of excellent sense to the daily duties of life1 to the minutest courtesy and kindness1 as well as to the real interests of others4 ,everything great and everything little seemed done in the same spirit1 and with the same degree of fidelity1 because it was the will of ,god2 and that which could not be traced to ,his will was not undertaken at all4 ,nothing at ,dudson was esteemed too little to be cared for1 and nothing too great to be undertaken at the command of ,god2 and for this they daily exercised their mental and bodily powers on the things around them2 knowing that our ,lord thoroughly furnishes each of ,his soldiers for his work1 and places before each the task he has to do4 ,m4 ,a4 ,,schimmelpenninck4 ,october #aj ,now the ,lord of peace ,himself give you peace always by all means4--#b ,,thess4 iii4 #af4 ,the ,lord will give strength unto ,his people2 the ,lord will bless ,his people with peace4--,,ps4 xxix4 #aa4 ,in the heart's depths a peace serene and holy ,abides1 and when pain seems to have its will1 ,or we despair1--oh1 may that peace rise slowly1 ,stronger than agony1 and we be still4 ,s4 ,,johnson4 ,but if a man ought and is willing to lie still under ,god's hand1 he must and ought also to lie still under all things1 whether they come from ,god1 himself1 or the creatures1 nothing excepted4 ,and he who would be obedient1 resigned1 and submissive to ,god1 must and ought to be also resigned1 obedient1 and submissive to all things1 in a spirit of yielding1 and not of resistance2 and take them in silence1 resting on the hidden foundations of his soul1 and having a secret inward patience1 that enableth him to take all chances or crosses willingly2 and1 whatever befalleth1 neither to call for nor desire any redress1 or deliverance1 or resistance1 or revenge1 but always in a loving1 sincere humility to cry1 ,father1 forgive them1 for they know not what they do6 ,,theologia ,,germanica4 ,october #aa ,and when the people complained1 it displeased the ,lord4--,,num4 xi4 #a4 ,when thou hast thanked thy ,god ,for every blessing sent1 ,what time will then remain ,for murmurs or lament8 ,r4 ,c4 ,,trench4 ,let him1 with a cheerful and thankful spirit1 yield himself up to suffer whatever ,god shall appoint unto him1 and to fulfil1 according to his power1 by the grace of ,god1 all ,his holy will to the utmost that he can discern it1 and never complain of his distresses but to ,god alone1 with entire and humble resignation1 praying that he may be strong to endure all his sufferings according to the will of ,god4 ,,john ,,tauler4 ,he who complains1 or thinks he has a right to complain1 because he is called in ,god's ,providence to suffer1 has something within him which needs to be taken away4 ,a soul whose will is lost in ,god's will1 can never do this4 ,sorrow may exist2 but complaint never4 ,,catherine ,,adorna4 ,october #ab ,singing and making melody in your heart to the ,lord4--,,eph4 v4 #ai4 ,sanctify the ,lord ,god in your hearts4--,i ,,peter iii4 #ae4 ,there are in this loud stunning tide ,of human care and crime1 ,with whom the melodies abide ,of th' everlasting chime2 ,who carry music in their heart ,through dusky lane and wrangling mart1 ,plying their daily task with busier feet1 ,because their secret souls a holy strain repeat4 ,j4 ,,keble4 ,strive to carry thyself with a total resignation to the ,divine ,will1 that ,god may do with thee and all thine according to ,his heavenly pleasure1 relying on ,him as on a kind and loving ,father4 ,never recall that intention1 and though thou be taken up about the affairs of the condition wherein ,god hath placed thee1 yet thou wilt still be in prayer1 in the presence of ,god1 and in perpetual acts of resignation4 ,a just man leaves not off to pray unless he leaves off to be just4 ,he always prays who always does well4 ,the good desire is prayer1 and if the desire be continued so also is the prayer4 ,m4 ,,de ,,molinos4 ,october #ac ,we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end4--,,heb4 vi4 #aa4 ,the ,lord is faithful1 who shall stablish you1 and keep you from evil4--#b ,,thess4 iii4 #c4 ,long though my task may be1 ,cometh the end4 ,god't is that helpeth me1 ,his is the work1 and ,he ,new strength will lend4 ,,anon4 ,set yourself steadfastly to those duties which have the least attractive exterior2 it matters not whether ,god's holy will be fulfilled in great or small matters4 ,be patient with yourself and your own failings2 never be in a hurry1 and do not yield to longings after that which is impossible to you4 ,my dear sister1 go on steadily and quietly2 if our dear ,lord means you to run1 ,he will strengthen your heart4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,always begin by doing that which costs me most1 unless the easier duty is a pressing one4 ,examine1 classify1 and determine at night the work of the morrow2 arrange things in the order of their importance1 and act accordingly4 ,dread1 above all things1 bitterness and irritation4 ,never say1 or indirectly recall anything to my advantage4 ,,madame ,,swet ,,chine1 ,october #ad ,he that sinneth against ,me wrongeth his own soul3 all they that hate ,me love death4--,,prov4 viii4 #cf4 ,but now being made free from sin1 and become servants to ,god1 ye have your fruit unto holiness1 and the end everlasting life4 ,for the wages of sin is death2 but the gift of ,god is eternal life through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4--,,rom4 vi4 #bb1 #bc4 ,o ,sovereign ,love1 to ,thee ,i cry6 ,give me ,thyself1 or else ,i die6 ,save me from death2 from hell set free6 ,death1 hell1 are but the want of ,thee4 ,quickened by ,thy imparted flame1 ,saved when possessed of ,thee1 ,i am3 ,my life1 my only heaven ,thou art2 ,o might ,i feel ,thee in my heart6 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,sin itself is hell1 and death1 and misery to the soul1 as being a departure from goodness and holiness itself2 ,i mean from ,god1 in conjunction with whom the happiness1 and blessedness1 and heaven of a soul doth consist4 ,avoid it1 therefore1 as you would avoid being miserable4 ,,samuel ,,shaw4 ,i could n't live in peace if ,i put the shadow of a wilful sin between myself and ,god4 ,,george ,,eliot4 ,unholy tempers are always unhappy tempers4 ,,john ,,wesley4 ,october #ae ,mine iniquities have taken hold upon me1 so that ,i am not able to look up2 therefore my heart faileth me4 ,be pleased1 ,o ,lord1 to deliver me3 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me4--,,ps4 xl4 #ab1 #ac4 ,sin shall not have dominion over you4--,,rom4 vi4 #ad4 ,o ,thou1 to whose all-searching sight ,the darkness shineth as the light6 ,search1 prove my heart2 it pants for ,thee2 ,oh1 burst these bonds1 and set it free6 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,yes1 this sin which has sent me weary-hearted to bed and desperate in heart to morning work1 that has made my plans miscarry until ,i am a coward1 that cuts me off from prayer1 that robs the sky of blueness and the earth of springtime1 and the air of freshness1 and human faces of friendliness1--this blasting sin which perhaps has made my bed in hell for me so long1--this can be conquered4 ,i do not say annihilated1 but1 better than that1 conquered1 captured and transfigured into a friend3 so that ,i at last shall say1 ,my temptation has become my strength6 for to the very fight with it ,i owe my force4 ,w4 ,c4 ,,gannett4 ,october #af ,i am not worthy of the least of all the mercies1 and of all the truth1 which ,thou hast showed unto ,thy servant4--,,gen4 xxxii4 #aj4 ,some murmur if their sky is clear1 ,and wholly bright to view1 ,if one small speck of dark appear ,in their great heaven of blue3 ,and some with thankful love are filled1 ,if but one streak of light1 ,one ray of ,god's good mercy1 gild ,the darkness of their night4 ,r4 ,c4 ,,trench4 ,habitual sufferers are precisely those who least frequently doubt the ,divine benevolence1 and whose faith and love rise to the serenest cheerfulness4 ,possessed by no idea of a prescriptive right to be happy1 their blessings are not benumbed by anticipation1 but come to them fresh and brilliant as the first day's morning and evening light to the dwellers in ,paradise4 ,with the happy it is their constant peace that seems to come by nature1 and to be blunted by its commonness1--and their griefs to come from ,god1 sharpened by their sacred origin2 with the sufferer1 it is his pain that appears to be a thing of course1 and to require no explanation1 while his relief is reverently welcomed as a divine interposition1 and1 as a breath of ,heaven1 caresses the heart into melodies of praise4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,october #ag ,hath the ,lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices1 as in obeying the voice of the ,lord8 ,behold1 to obey is better than sacrifice4--,i ,,sam4 ,,xv4 #bb4 ,fear ye not1 stand still1 and see the salvation of the ,lord1 which ,he will show to you to-day--,,ex4 xiv4 #ac4 ,the folded hands seem idle3 ,if folded at ,his word1 ',tis a holy service1 trust me1 ,in obedience to the ,lord4 ,,anna ,,shipton4 ,it is not the multitude of hard duties1 it is not constraint and contention that advance us in our ,christian course4 ,on the contrary1 it is the yielding of our wills without restriction and without choice1 to tread cheerfully every day in the path in which ,providence leads us1 to seek nothing1 to be discouraged by nothing1 to see our duty in the present moment1 to trust all else without reserve to the will and power of ,god4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,godliness is the devotion of the soul to ,god1 as to a living person whose will is to be its law1 whose love is to be its life4 ,it is the habit of living before the face of ,god1 and not the simply doing certain things4 ,j4 ,b4 ,,brown4 ,october #ah ,except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and ,pharisees1 ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven4--,,matt4 v4 #bj4 ,the freedom from all wilful sin1 ,the ,christian's daily task1-- ,oh these are graces far below ,what longing love would ask6 ,dole not thy duties out to ,god4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,you perhaps will say that all people fall short of the perfection of the ,gospel1 and therefore you are content with your failings4 ,but this is saying nothing to the purpose3 for the question is not whether ,gospel perfection can be fully attained1 but whether you come as near it as a sincere intention and careful diligence can carry you4 ,whether you are not in a much lower state than you might be if you sincerely intended and carefully labored to advance yourself in all ,christian virtues4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,we know not exactly how low the least degree of obedience is1 which will bring a man to heaven2 but this we are quite sure of1 that he who aims no higher will be sure to fall short even of that1 and that he who goes farthest beyond it will be most blessed4 ,,john ,,keble4 ,october #ai ,thus saith the ,lord1 thy ,redeemer1 the ,holy ,one of ,israel2 ,i am the ,lord thy ,god which teacheth thee to profit1 which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go4--,,isa4 xlviii4 #ag4 ,i seek ,thy aid1 ,i ask direction1 ,teach me to do what pleaseth ,thee2 ,i can bear toil1 endure affliction1 ,only ,thy leadings let me see4 ,,anon4 ,of all paths a man could strike into1 there is1 at any given moment1 a best path for every man2 a thing which1 here and now1 it were of all things wisest for him to do2 which could he but be led or driven to do1 he were then doing like a man1 as we phrase it4 ,his success1 in such case1 were complete1 his felicity a maximum4 ,this path1 to find this path1 and walk in it1 is the one thing needful for him4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,every man has his own vocation4 ,there is one direction in which all space is open to him4 ,he has faculties silently inviting him thither to endless exertion4 ,he is like a ship in a river2 he runs against obstructions on every side but one2 on that side all obstruction is taken away1 and he sweeps serenely over a deepening channel into an infinite sea4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,october #bj ,be not overcome of evil1 but overcome evil with good4--,,rom4 xii4 #ba4 ,come1 in this accepted hour2 ,bring ,thy heavenly kingdom in2 ,fill us with ,thy glorious power1 ,rooting out the seeds of sin4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,if we wish to overcome evil1 we must overcome it by good4 ,there are doubtless many ways of overcoming the evil in our own hearts1 but the simplest1 easiest1 most universal1 is to overcome it by active occupation in some good word or work4 ,the best antidote against evil of all kinds1 against the evil thoughts which haunt the soul1 against the needless perplexities which distract the conscience1 is to keep hold of the good we have4 ,impure thoughts will not stand against pure words1 and prayers1 and deeds4 ,little doubts will not avail against great certainties4 ,fix your affections on things above1 and then you will be less and less troubled by the cares1 the temptations1 the troubles of things on earth4 ,a4 ,p4 ,,stanley4 ,october #ba ,i am the ,almighty ,god2 walk before me1 and be thou perfect4--,,gen4 xvii4 ,i4 ,consecrate yourselves to-day to the ,lord4--,,ex4 xxxii4 #bi4 ,take my life1 and let it be ,consecrated1 ,lord1 to ,thee4 ,take my moments and my days2 ,let them flow in ceaseless praise4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,i have noticed that wherever there has been a faithful following of the ,lord in a consecrated soul1 several things have inevitably followed1 sooner or later4 ,meekness and quietness of spirit become in time the characteristics of the daily life4 ,a submissive acceptance of the will of ,god as it comes in the hourly events of each day2 pliability in the hands of ,god to do or to suffer all the good pleasure of ,his will2 sweetness under provocation2 calmness in the midst of turmoil and bustle2 yieldingness to the wishes of others1 and an insensibility to slights and affronts2 absence of worry or anxiety2 deliverance from care and fear2--all these1 and many similar graces1 are invariably found to be the natural outward development of that inward life which is hid with ,christ in ,god4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,october #bb ,father1 if ,thou be willing1 remove this cup from me3 nevertheless not my will1 but ,thine1 be done4--,,luke xxii4 #db4 ,just as ,thou wilt is just what ,i would will2 ,give me but this1 the heart to be content1 ,and1 if my wish is thwarted1 to lie still1 ,waiting till puzzle and till pain are spent1 ,and the sweet thing made plain which the ,lord meant4 ,,susan ,,coolidge4 ,let your will be one with ,his will1 and be glad to be disposed of by ,him4 ,he will order all things for you4 ,what can cross your will1 when it is one with ,his will1 on which all creation hangs1 round which all things revolve8 ,keep your hearts clear of evil thoughts2 for as evil choices estrange the will from ,his will1 so evil thoughts cloud the soul1 and hide ,him from us4 ,whatever sets us in opposition to ,him makes our will an intolerable torment4 ,so long as we will one thing and ,he another1 we go on piercing ourselves through and through with a perpetual wound2 and ,his will advances moving on in sanctity and majesty1 crushing ours into the dust4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,october #bc ,teach me to do ,thy will2 for ,thou art my ,god3 ,thy spirit is good2 lead me into the land of uprightness4--,,ps4 cxliii4 #aj4 ,the battle of our life is won1 ,and heaven begun1 ,when we can say1 ,thy will be done6 ,but1 ,lord1 until ,these restless hearts in ,thy deep love are still1 ,we pray ,thee1 ,teach us how to do ,thy will6 ,,lucy ,,larcom4 ,you are seeking your own will1 my daughter4 ,you are seeking some good other than the law you are bound to obey4 ,but how will you find good8 ,it is not a thing of choice2 it is a river that flows from the foot of the ,invisible ,throne1 and flows by the path of obedience4 ,i say again1 man cannot choose his duties4 ,you may choose to forsake your duties1 and choose not to have the sorrow they bring4 ,but you will go forth1 and what will you find1 my daughter8 ,sorrow without duty--bitter herbs1 and no bread with them4 ,,george ,,eliot4 ,however dark and profitless1 however painful and weary1 existence may have become1 life is not done1 and our ,christian character is not won1 so long as ,god has anything left for us to suffer1 or anything left for us to do4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,october #bd ,the ,lord is my strength1 and my shield2 my heart trusted in ,him1 and ,i am helped3 therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth2 and with my song will ,i praise ,him4--,,ps4 xxviii4 #g4 ,well may ,thy happy children cease ,from restless wishes1 prone to sin1 ,and1 in ,thy own exceeding peace1 ,yield to ,thy daily discipline4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,talk of hair-cloth shirts1 and scourgings1 and sleeping on ashes1 as means of saintship6 ,there is no need of them in our country4 ,let a woman once look at her domestic trials as her hair-cloth1 her ashes1 her scourges1--accept them1--rejoice in them1--smile and be quiet1 silent1 patient1 and loving under them1--and the convent can teach her no more2 she is a victorious saint4 ,h4 ,b4 ,,stowe4 ,perhaps it is a greater energy of ,divine ,providence1 which keeps the ,christian from day to day1 from year to year--praying1 hoping1 running1 believing--against all hindrances--which maintains him as a living martyr1 than that which bears him up for an hour in sacrificing himself at the stake4 ,r4 ,,cecil4 ,october #be ,for ,i am persuaded that neither death1 nor life1 nor angels1 nor principalities1 nor powers1 nor things present1 nor things to come1 nor height1 nor depth1 nor any other creature1 shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god1 which is in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord4--,,rom4 viii4 #ch1 #ci4 ,i know not what the future hath ,of marvel or surprise1 ,assured alone that life and death ,his mercy underlies4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,be of good faith1 my dear ,friends1 look not out at any thing2 fear none of those things ye may be exposed to suffer1 either outwardly or inwardly2 but trust the ,lord over all1 and your life will spring1 and grow1 and refresh you1 and ye will learn obedience and faithfulness daily more and more1 even by your exercises and sufferings2 yea1 the ,lord will teach you the very mystery of faith and obedience2 the wisdom1 power1 love1 and goodness of the ,lord ordering every thing for you1 and ordering your hearts in every thing4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,october #bf ,turn you to the strong hold1 ye prisoners of hope4--,,zech4 ix4 #ab4 ,o power to do2 ,o baffled will6 ,o prayer and action6 ye are one4 ,who may not strive1 may yet fulfil ,the harder task of standing still1 ,and good but wished with ,god is done4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,that ,god has circumscribed our life may add a peculiar element of trial1 but often it defines our way and cuts off many tempting possibilities that perplex the free and the strong2 whilst it leaves intact the whole body of spiritual reality1 with the ,beatitude thereon1 that if we know these things1 happy are we if we do them4 ,we know that ,god orders the lot2 and to meet it with the energies it requires and permits1 neither more nor less1--to fill it at every available point with the light and action of an earnest and spiritually inventive mind1 though its scene be no wider than a sick chamber1 and its action narrowed to patient suffering1 and gentle1 cheerful words1 and all the light it can emit the thankful quiet of a trustful eye1--without chafing as though ,god had misjudged our sphere1 and placed us wrong1 and did not know where we could best serve ,him1--this is what1 in that condition1 we have to do4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,october #bg ,therefore ,i take pleasure in infirmities1 in reproaches1 in necessities1 in persecutions1 in distresses for ,christ's sake3 for when ,i am weak1 then am ,i strong4--#b ,,cor4 xii4 #aj4 ,whatever ,god does is well6 ,in patience let us wait2 ,he doth ,himself our burdens bear1 ,he doth for us take care1 ,and ,he1 our ,god1 knows all our weary days4 ,come1 give ,him praise4 ,b4 ,,schmolck4 ,nothing else but this seeing ,god in everything will make us loving and patient with those who annoy and trouble us4 ,they will be to us then only the instruments for accomplishing ,his tender and wise purposes towards us1 and we shall even find ourselves at last inwardly thanking them for the blessings they bring us4 ,nothing else will completely put an end to all murmuring or rebelling thoughts4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,the subjection of the will is accomplished by calmly resigning thyself in everything that internally or externally vexes thee2 for it is thus only that the soul is prepared for the reception of divine influences4 ,prepare the1 heart like clean paper1 and the ,divine ,wisdom will imprint on it characters to ,his own liking4 ,m4 ,,de ,,molinos4 ,october #bh ,i know the thoughts that ,i think toward you1 saith the ,lord1 thoughts of peace1 and not of evil1 to give you an expected end4--,,jer4 xxix4 #aa4 ,thy thoughts are good1 and ,thou art kind1 ,e'en when we think it not2 ,how many an anxious1 faithless mind ,sits grieving o'er its lot1 ,and frets1 and pines by day and night1 ,as ,god had lost it out of sight1 ,and all its wants forgot4 ,p4 ,,gerhardt4 ,you are never to complain of your birth1 your training1 your employments1 your hardships2 never to fancy that you could be something if only you had a different lot and sphere assigned you4 ,god understands ,his own plan1 and ,he knows what you want a great deal better than you do4 ,the very things that you most deprecate1 as fatal limitations or obstructions1 are probably what you most want4 ,what you call hindrances1 obstacles1 discouragements1 are probably ,god's opportunities4 ,bring down your soul1 or1 rather1 bring it up to receive ,god's will and do ,his work1 in your lot1 in your sphere1 under your cloud of obscurity1 against your temptations1 and then you shall find that your condition is never opposed to your good1 but really consistent with it4 ,h4 ,,bushnell4 ,october #bi ,behold1 ,i have refined thee1 but not with silver2 ,i have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction--,,isa4 xlviii4 #aj4 ,be patient1 suffering soul6 ,i hear thy cry4 ,the trial fires may glow1 but ,i am nigh4 ,i see the silver1 and ,i will refine ,until ,my image shall upon it shine4 ,fear not1 for ,i am near1 thy help to be2 ,greater than all thy pain1 ,my love for thee4 ,h4 ,w4 ,c4 ,god takes a thousand times more pains with us than the artist with his picture1 by many touches of sorrow1 and by many colors of circumstance1 to bring man into the form which is the highest and noblest in ,his sight1 if only we received ,his gifts and myrrh in the right spirit4 ,but when the cup is put away1 and these feelings are stifled or unheeded1 a greater injury is done to the soul than can ever be amended4 ,for no heart can conceive in what surpassing love ,god giveth us this myrrh2 yet this which we ought to receive to our soul's good1 we suffer to pass by us in our sleepy indifference1 and nothing comes1 of it4 ,then we come and complain3 ,alas1 ,lord6 ,i am so dry1 and it is so dark within me6 ,i tell thee1 dear child1 open thy heart to the pain1 and it will do thee more good than if thou wert full of feeling and devoutness4 ,j4 ,,tauler4 ,october #cj ,that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the ,holy ,ghost which dwelleth in us4--#b ,,tim4 i4 #ad4 ,oh that the ,comforter would come6 ,nor visit as a transient guest1 ,but fix in me ,his constant home1 ,and keep possession of my breast3 ,and make my soul ,his loved abode1 ,the temple of indwelling ,god6 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,thy spirit should become1 while yet on earth1 the peaceful throne of the ,divine ,being2 think1 then1 how quiet1 how gentle and pure1 how reverent1 thou shouldst be4 ,,gerhard ,,tersteegen4 ,i cannot tell you how much ,i love you4 ,but that which of all things ,i have most at heart1 with regard to you1 is the real progress of your soul in the divine life4 ,heaven seems to be awakened in you4 ,it is a tender plant4 ,it requires stillness1 meekness1 and the unity of the heart1 totally given up to the unknown workings of the ,spirit of ,god1 which will do all its work in the calm soul1 that has no hunger or desire but to escape out of the mire of its earthly life into its lost union and life in ,god4 ,i mention this1 out of a fear of your giving in to an eagerness about many things1 which1 though seemingly innocent1 yet divide and weaken the workings of the divine life within you4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,october #ca ,and ,enoch walked with ,god3 and he was not2 for ,god took him4--,,gen4 v4 #bd4 ,oh for a closer walk with ,god1 ,a calm and heavenly frame2 ,a light to shine upon the road ,that leads me to the ,lamb6 ,w4 ,,cowper4 ,is it possible for any of us in these modern days to so live that we may walk with ,god8 ,can we walk with ,god in the shop1 in the office1 in the household1 and on the street8 ,when men exasperate us1 and work wearies us1 and the children fret1 and the servants annoy1 and our best-laid plans fall to pieces1 and our castles in the air are dissipated like bubbles that break at a breath1 then can we walk with ,god8 ,that religion which fails us in the every-day trials and experiences of life has somewhere in it a flaw4 ,it should be more than a plank to sustain us in the rushing tide1 and land us exhausted and dripping on the other side4 ,it ought1 if it come from above1 to be always1 day by day1 to our souls as the wings of a bird1 bearing us away from and beyond the impediments which seek to hold us down4 ,if the ,divine ,love be a conscious presence1 an indwelling force with us1 it will do this4 ,,christian ,,union4 ,november #a ,of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named4--,,eph4 iii4 #ae4 ,one family1 we dwell in ,him2 ,one church above1 beneath2 ,though now divided by the stream1-- ,the narrow stream of death4 ,one army of the living ,god1 ,to ,his command we bow3 ,part of ,his host has crossed the flood1 ,and part is crossing now4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,let us1 then1 learn that we can never be lonely or forsaken in this life4 ,shall they forget us because they are made perfect8 ,shall they love us the less because they now have power to love us more8 ,if we forget them not1 shall they not remember us with ,god8 ,no trial1 then1 can isolate us1 no sorrow can cut us off from the ,communion of ,saints4 ,kneel down1 and you are with them2 lift up your eyes1 and the heavenly world1 high above all perturbation1 hangs serenely overhead2 only a thin veil1 it may be1 floats between4 ,all whom we loved1 and all who loved us1 whom we still love no less1 while they love us yet more1 are ever near1 because ever in ,his presence in whom we live and dwell4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,november #b ,wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses1 let us lay aside every weight1 and the sin which doth so easily beset us1 and let us run with patience the race that is set before us4--,,heb4 xii4 i4 ,when the powers of hell prevail ,o'er our weakness and unfitness1 ,could we lift the fleshly veil1 ,could we for a moment witness ,those unnumbered hosts that stand ,calm and bright on either hand2 ,oh1 what joyful hope would cheer1 ,oh1 what faith serene would guide us6 ,great may be the danger near1 ,greater are the friends beside us4 ,,anon4 ,we are compassed about by a cloud of witnesses1 whose hearts throb in sympathy with every effort and struggle1 and who thrill with joy at every success4 ,how should this thought check and rebuke every worldly feeling and unworthy purpose1 and enshrine us1 in the midst of a forgetful and un-spiritual world1 with an atmosphere of heavenly peace6 ,they have overcome--have risen--are crowned1 glorified2 but still they remain to us1 our assistants1 our comforters1 and in every hour of darkness their voice speaks to us3 ,so we grieved1 so we struggled1 so we fainted1 so we doubted2 but we have overcome1 we have obtained1 we have seen1 we have found1--and in our victory behold the certainty of thy own4 ,h4 ,b4 ,,stowe4 ,november #c ,wherefore putting away lying1 speak every man truth with his neighbor3 for we are members one of another4--,,eph4 iv4 #be4 ,in conversation be sincere2 ,keep conscience as the noontide clear2 ,think how ,all-seeing ,god thy ways ,and all thy secret thoughts surveys4 ,,thomas ,,ken4 ,the essence of lying is in deception1 not in words2 a lie may be told by silence1 by equivocation1 by the accent on a syllable1 by a glance of the eye attaching a peculiar significance to a sentence2 and all these kinds of lies are worse and baser by many degrees than a lie plainly worded2 so that no form of blinded conscience is so far sunk as that which comforts itself for having deceived because the deception was by gesture or silence1 instead of utterance4 ,j4 ,,ruskin4 ,he that is habituated to deceptions and artificialities in trifles1 will try in vain to be true in matters of importance2 for truth is a thing of habit rather than of will4 ,you cannot in any given case by any sudden and single effort will to be true1 if the habit of your life has been insincerity4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4 ,november #d ,a soft answer turneth away wrath3 but grievous words stir up anger4--,,prov4 xv4 i1 ,doest thou well to be angry8--,,jonah iv4 #d4 ,renew ,thine image1 ,lord1 in me1 ,lowly and gentle may ,i be2 ,no charms but these to ,thee are dear2 ,no anger mayst ,thou ever find1 ,no pride in my unruffled mind1 ,but faith1 and heaven-born peace be there4 ,p4 ,,gerhardt4 ,neither say nor do aught displeasing to thy neighbor2 and if thou hast been wanting in charity1 seek his forgiveness1 or speak to him with gentleness4 ,speak always with mildness and in a low tone of voice4 ,l4 ,,scupoli4 ,injuries hurt not more in the receiving than in the remembrance4 ,a small injury shall go as it comes2 a great injury may dine or sup with me2 but none at all shall lodge with me4 ,why should ,i vex myself because another hath vexed me8 ,grief for things past that cannot be remedied1 and care for things to come that cannot be prevented1 may easily hurt1 can never benefit me4 ,i will therefore commit myself to ,god in both1 and enjoy the present4 ,,joseph ,,hall4 ,november #e ,the temple of ,god is holy1 which temple ye are4--,i ,,cor4 iii4 #ag4 ,now shed ,thy mighty influence abroad ,on souls that would their ,father's image bear2 ,make us as holy temples of our ,god1 ,where dwells forever calm1 adoring prayer4 ,c4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,spitta4 ,this pearl of eternity is the church or temple of ,god within thee1 the consecrated place of divine worship1 where alone thou canst worship ,god in spirit and in truth4 ,when once thou art well grounded in this inward worship1 thou wilt have learned to live unto ,god above time and place4 ,for every day will be ,sunday to thee1 and1 wherever thou goest1 thou wilt have a priest1 a church1 and an altar along with thee4 ,for when ,god has all that ,he should have of thy heart1 when thou art wholly given up to the obedience of the light and spirit of ,god within thee1 to will only in ,his will1 to love only in ,his love1 to be wise only in ,his wisdom1 then it is that everything thou dost is as a song of praise1 and the common business of thy life is a conforming to ,god's will on earth as angels do in heaven4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,november #f ,he will fulfil the desire of them that fear ,him3 ,he also will hear their cry1 and will save them2--,,ps4 cxlv4 #ai4 ,delight thyself also in the ,lord2 and ,he shall give thee the desires of thine heart4--,,ps4 xxxvii4 #d4 ,though to-day may not fulfil ,all thy hopes1 have patience still2 ,for perchance to-morrow's sun ,sees thy happier days begun4 ,p4 ,,gerhardt4 ,his great desire and delight is ,god2 and by desiring and delighting1 he hath ,him4 ,delight thou in the ,lord1 and ,he shall give thee thy heart's desire1--,,himself2 and then surely thou shall have all4 ,any other thing commit it to ,him1 and ,he shall bring it to pass4 ,r4 ,,leighton4 ,all who call on ,god in true faith1 earnestly from the heart1 will certainly be heard1 and will receive what they have asked and desired1 although not in the hour or in the measure1 or the very thing which they ask2 yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask4 ,,martin ,,luther4 ,november #g ,i was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision4--,,acts xxvi4 #ai4 ,the ,lord our ,god will we serve1 and ,his voice will we obey4--,,josh4 xxiv4 #bd4 ,i will shun no toil or woe1 ,where ,thou leadest ,i will go1 ,be my pathway plain or rough2 ,if but every hour may be ,spent in work that pleases ,thee1 ,ah1 dear ,lord1 it is enough6 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,all these longings and doubts1 and this inward distress1 are the voice of the ,good ,shepherd in your heart1 seeking to call you out of all that is contrary to ,his will4 ,oh1 let me entreat of you not to turn away from ,his gentle pleadings4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,the fear of man brings a snare4 ,by halting in our duty and giving back in the time of trial1 our hands grow weaker1 our ears grow dull as to hearing the language of the true ,shepherd2 so that when we look at the way of the righteous1 it seems as though it was not for us to follow them4 ,j4 ,,woolman4 ,november #h ,lo1 ,i come to do ,thy will1 ,o ,god4--,,heb4 x4 #i4 ,teach me to do ,thy will1 for ,thou art my ,god4--,,ps4 cxliii4 #aj4 ,lo6 ,i come with joy to do ,the ,father's blessed will2 ,him in outward works pursue1 ,and serve ,his pleasure still4 ,faithful to my ,lord's commands1 ,i still would choose the better part2 ,serve with careful ,martha's hands1 ,and loving ,mary's heart4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,a soul cannot be regarded as truly subdued and consecrated in its will1 and as having passed into union with the ,divine will1 until it has a disposition to do promptly and faithfully all that ,god requires1 as well as to endure patiently and thankfully all that ,he imposes4 ,t4 ,c4 ,,upham4 ,when we have learned to offer up every duty connected with our situation in life as a sacrifice to ,god1 a settled employment becomes just a settled habit of prayer4 ,,thomas ,,erskine4 ,do the duty which lies nearest thee1 which thou knowest to be a duty4 ,thy second duty will already have become clearer4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,november #i ,say not thou1 ,i will hide myself from the ,lord3 shall any remember me from above8 ,i shall not be remembered among so many people3 for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures8--,,ecclesiasticus xvi4 #ag4 ,among so many1 can ,he care8 ,can special love be everywhere8 ,a myriad homes1--a myriad ways1-- ,and ,god's eye over every place8 ,i asked3 my soul bethought of this2-- ,in just that very place of ,his ,where ,he hath put and keepeth you1 ,god hath no other thing to do6 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,give free and bold play to those instincts of the heart which believe that the ,creator must care for the creatures ,he has made1 and that the only real effective care for them must be that which takes each of them into ,his love1 and knowing it separately surrounds it with ,his separate sympathy4 ,there is not one life which the ,life-giver ever loses out of ,his sight2 not one which sins so that ,he casts it away2 not one which is not so near to ,him that whatever touches it touches ,him with sorrow or with joy4 ,,phillips ,,brooks4 ,november #aj ,in ,him we live1 and move1 and have our being4--,,acts xvii4 #bh4 ,whither shall ,i go from ,thy spirit8 or whither shall ,i flee from ,thy presence8--,,ps4 cxxxix4 #g4 ,yea6 ,in ,thy life our little lives are ended1 ,into ,thy depths our trembling spirits fall2 ,in ,thee enfolded1 gathered1 comprehended1 ,as holds the sea her waves--,thou hold'st us all4 ,e4 ,,scudder4 ,where then is our ,god8 ,you say1 ,he is everywhere3 then show me anywhere that you have met ,him4 ,you declare ,him everlasting3 then tell me any moment that ,he has been with you4 ,you believe ,him ready to succor them that are tempted1 and to lift those that are bowed down3 then in what passionate hour did you subside into ,his calm grace8 in what sorrow lose yourself in ,his more exceeding joy8 ,these are the testing questions by which we may learn whether we too have raised our altar to an unknown ,god and pay the worship of the blind2 or whether we commune with ,him in whom we live1 and move1 and have our being4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,november #aa ,walk worthy of the ,lord unto all pleasing1 being fruitful in every good work1 and increasing in the knowledge of ,god2 strengthened with all might1 according to ,his glorious power1 unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness4--,,col4 i4 #aj1 ii4 ,to be the thing we seem1 ,to do the thing we deem ,enjoined by duty2 ,to walk in faith1 nor dream ,of questioning ,god's scheme ,of truth and beauty4 ,,anon4 ,to shape the whole ,future is not our problem2 but only to shape faithfully a small part of it1 according to rules already known4 ,it is perhaps possible for each of us1 who will with due earnestness inquire1 to ascertain clearly what he1 for his own part1 ought to do2 this let him1 with true heart1 do1 and continue doing4 ,the general issue will1 as it has always done1 rest well with a ,higher ,intelligence than ours4 ,this day thou knowest ten commanded duties1 seest in thy mind ten things which should be done for one that thou doest6 ,do one of them2 this of itself will show thee ten others which can and shall be done4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,november #ab ,i must work the works of ,him that sent me1 while it is day3 the night cometh1 when no man can work4--,,john ix4 #d4 ,wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task8--,,ex4 v4 #ad4 ,he who intermits ,the appointed task and duties of the day ,untunes full oft the pleasures of the day2 ,checking the finer spirits that refuse ,to flow1 when purposes are lightly changed4 ,w4 ,,wordsworth4 ,by putting off things beyond their proper times1 one duty treads upon the heels of another1 and all duties are felt as irksome obligations1--a yoke beneath which we fret and lose our peace4 ,in most cases the consequence of this is1 that we have no time to do the work as it ought to be done4 ,it is therefore done precipitately1 with eagerness1 with a greater desire simply to get it done1 than to do it well1 and with very little thought of ,god throughout4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,sufficient for each day is the good thereof1 equally as the evil4 ,we must do at once1 and with our might1 the merciful deed that our hand findeth to do1--else it will never be done1 for the hand will find other tasks1 and the arrears fall through4 ,and every unconsummated good feeling1 every unfulfilled purpose that ,his spirit has prompted1 shall one day charge us as faithless and recreant before ,god4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,november #ac ,blessed is the man whom ,thou chastenest1 ,o ,lord1 and teachest him out of ,thy law4--,,ps4 xciv ,truly this is a grief1 and ,i must bear it4--,,jer4 x4 #ai4 ,hold in thy murmurs1 heaven arraigning6 ,the patient see ,god's loving face2 ,who bear their burdens uncomplaining1 ',tis they that win the ,father's grace4 ,,anon4 ,do not run to this and that for comfort when you are in trouble1 but bear it4 ,be uncomfortably quiet--be uneasily silent--be patiently unhappy4 ,j4,p4 ,,greaves4 ,hard words will vex1 unkindness will pierce2 neglect will wound2 threatened evils will make the soul quiver2 sharp pain or weariness will rack the body1 or make it restless4 ,but what says the ,psalmist8 ,when my heart is vexed1 ,i will complain4 ,to whom8 ,not of ,god1 but to ,god4 ,e4,b4 ,,pusey4 ,surely1 ,i have thought1 ,i do not want to have a grief which would not be a grief4 ,i feel that ,i shall be able to take up my cross in a religious spirit soon1 and then it will be all right4 ,,james ,,hinton4 ,november #ad ,thou art my servant3 ,i have formed thee2 thou art my servant3 ,o ,israel1 thou shalt not be forgotten of me4--,,isa4 xliv4 #ba4 ,oh1 give ,thy servant patience to be still1 ,and bear ,thy will2 ,courage to venture wholly on the arm ,that will not harm2 ,the wisdom that will never let me stray ,out of my way2 ,the love1 that1 now afflicting1 knoweth best ,when ,i should rest4 ,j4 ,m4 ,,neale4 ,supposing that you were never to be set free from such trials1 what would you do8 ,you would say to ,god1 ,i am ,thine--if my trials are acceptable to ,thee1 give me more and more4 ,i have full confidence that this is what you would say1 and then you would not think more of it--at any rate1 you would not be anxious4 ,well1 do the same now4 ,make friends with your trials1 as though you were always to live together2 and you will see that when you cease to take thought for your own deliverance1 ,god will take thought for you2 and when you cease to help yourself eagerly1 ,he will help you4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,ah1 if you knew what peace there is in an accepted sorrow6 ,,madame ,,guyon4 ,november #ae ,fear thou not2 for ,i am with thee3 be not dismayed2 for ,i am thy ,god3 ,i will strengthen thee2 yea1 ,i will help thee2 yea1 ,i will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness4--,,isa4 xli4 #aj4 ,lord1 be ,thou near and cheer my lonely way2 ,with ,thy sweet peace my aching bosom fill2 ,scatter my cares and fears2 my griefs allay1 ,and be it mine each day ,to love and please ,thee still4 ,p4 ,,corneille4 ,what if the wicked nature1 which is as a sea casting out mire and dirt1 rage against thee8 ,there is a river1 a sweet1 still1 flowing river1 the streams whereof will make glad thy heart4 ,and1 learn but in quietness and stillness to retire to the ,lord1 and wait upon ,him2 in whom thou shall feel peace and joy1 in the midst of thy trouble from the cruel and vexatious spirit of this world4 ,so1 wait to know thy work and service to the ,lord every day1 in thy place and station2 and the ,lord make thee faithful therein1 and thou wilt want neither help1 support1 nor comfort4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,november #af ,thou wilt keep him in perfect peace1 whose mind is stayed on ,thee3 because he trusteth in ,thee4--,,isa4 xxvi4 #c4 ,what comforts1 ,lord1 to those are given1 ,who seek in ,thee their home and rest6 ,they find on earth an opening heaven1 ,and in ,thy peace are amply blest4 ,w4 ,c4 ,,dessler4 ,god is a tranquil ,being1 and abides in a tranquil eternity4 ,so must thy spirit become a tranquil and clear little pool1 wherein the serene light of ,god can be mirrored4 ,therefore shun all that is disquieting and distracting1 both within and without4 ,nothing in the whole world is worth the loss of thy peace2 even the faults which thou hast committed should only humble1 but not disquiet thee4 ,god is full of joy1 peace1 and happiness4 ,endeavor then to obtain a continually joyful and peaceful spirit4 ,avoid all anxious care1 vexation1 murmuring1 and melancholy1 which darken thy soul1 and render thee unfit for the friendship of ,god4 ,if thou dost perceive such feelings arising1 turn gently away from them4 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,november #ag ,every day will ,i bless ,thee2 and ,i will praise ,thy name for ever and ever4--,,ps4 cxlv4 #b4 ,commit thy works unto the ,lord1 and thy thoughts shall be established4--,,prov4 xvi4 #c4 ,lord1 ,i my vows to ,thee renew2 ,disperse my sins as morning dew2 ,guard my first springs of thought and will1 ,and with ,thyself my spirit fill4 ,,thomas ,,ken4 ,morning by morning think1 for a few moments1 of the chief employments of the day1 any one thing of greater moment than others1 thine own especial trial1 any occasions of it which are likely to come that day1 and by one short strong act commend thyself beforehand in all to ,god2 offer all thy thoughts1 words1 and deeds to ,him--to be governed1 guided1 accepted by ,him4 ,choose some great occasions of the day1 such as bring with them most trial to thee1 on which1 above others1 to commend thyself to ,god4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,will you not1 before venturing away from your early quiet hour1 commit thy works to ,him definitely1 the special things you have to do to-day1 and the unforeseen work which ,he may add in the course of it8 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,november #ah ,hereby know we that we dwell in ,him1 and ,he in us1 because ,he bath given us of ,his ,spirit4--,i ,,john iv4 #ac4 ,within6 within1 oh turn ,thy spirit's eyes1 and learn ,thy wandering senses gently to control2 ,thy dearest ,friend dwells deep within thy soul1 ,and asks thyself of thee1 ,that heart1 and mind1 and sense1 ,he may make whole ,in perfect harmony4 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,wait patiently1 trust humbly1 depend only upon1 seek solely to a ,god of ,light and ,love1 of ,mercy and ,goodness1 of ,glory and ,majesty1 ever dwelling in the inmost depth and spirit of your soul4 ,there you have all the secret1 hidden1 invisible ,upholder of all the creation1 whose blessed operation will always be found by a humble1 faithful1 loving1 calm1 patient introversion of your heart to ,him1 who has ,his hidden heaven within you1 and which will open itself to you1 as soon as your heart is left wholly to ,his eternal1 ever-speaking ,word1 and ever-sanctifying ,spirit within you4 ,beware of all eagerness and activity of your own natural spirit and temper4 ,run not in any hasty ways of your own4 ,be patient under the sense of your own vanity and weakness2 and patiently wait for ,god to do ,his own work1 and in ,his own way4 ,,wm4 ,,law4 ,november #ai ,if any man among you seem to be religious1 and bridleth not his tongue1 but deceiveth his own heart1 this man's religion is vain4--,,james i4 #bf4 ,i said1 ,i will take heed to my ways1 that ,i sin not with my tongue4--,,ps4 xxxix4 ,i4 ,no sinful word1 nor deed of wrong1 ,nor thoughts that idly rove2 ,but simple truth be on our tongue1 ,and in our hearts be love4 ,,st4 ,,ambrose4 ,let us all resolve1--,first1 to attain the grace of ,,silence2 ,second1 to deem all ,,fault-,,finding that does no good a ,,sin1 and to resolve1 when we are happy ourselves1 not to poison the atmosphere for our neighbors by calling on them to remark every painful and disagreeable feature of their daily life2 ,third1 to practise the grace and virtue of ,,praise4 ,,harriet ,b4 ,,stowe4 ,surrounded by those who constantly exhibit defects of character and conduct1 if we yield to a complaining and impatient spirit1 we shall mar our own peace without having the satisfaction of benefiting others4 ,t4 ,c4 ,,upham4 ,november #bj ,ye have need of patience1 that1 after ye have done the--will of ,god1 ye might receive the promise4--,,heb4 x4 #cf4 ,sweet ,patience1 come3 ,not from a low and earthly source1-- ,waiting1 till things shall have their course1-- ,not as accepting present pain ,in hope of some hereafter gain1-- ,not in a dull and sullen calm1-- ,but as a breath of heavenly balm1 ,bidding my weary heart submit ,to bear whatever ,god sees fit3 ,sweet ,patience1 come6 ,,hymns ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,militant4 ,patience endues her scholars with content of mind1 and evenness of temper1 preventing all repining grumbling1 and impatient desires1 and inordinate affections2 disappointments here are no crosses1 and all anxious thoughts are disarmed of their sting2 in her habitations dwell quietness1 submission1 and long-suffering1 all fierce turbulent inclinations are hereby allayed4 ,the eyes of the patient fixedly wait the inward power of ,god's providence1 and they are thereby mightily enabled towards their salvation and preservation4 ,,thomas ,,tryon4 ,november #ba ,man shall not live by bread alone1 but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of ,god4--,,matt4 iv4 #d4 ,a man's life conisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth4--,,luke xii4 #ae4 ,whate'er ,god does is well1 ,whether ,he gives or takes6 ,and what we from ,his hand receive ,suffices us to live4 ,he takes and gives1 while yet ,he loves us still2 ,then love ,his will4 ,b4 ,,schmolck4 ,is that beast better1 that hath two or three mountains to graze on1 than a little bee1 that feeds on dew or manna1 and lives upon what falls every morning from the storehouse of heaven1 clouds1 and providence8 ,,jeremy ,,taylor4 ,for myself ,i am certain that the good of human life cannot lie in the possession of things which for one man to possess is for the rest to lose1 but rather in things which all can possess alike1 and where one man's wealth promotes his neighbor's4 ,b4 ,,spinoza4 ,every lot is happy to a person who bears it with tranquillity4 ,,boethius4 ,november #bb ,your ,father knoweth what things ye have need of4--,,matt4 vi4 #h4 ,seek ye first the kingdom of ,god1 and ,his righteousness2 and all these things shall be added unto you4--,,matt4 vi4 #cc4 ,thy kingdom come1 with power and grace1 ,to every heart of man2 ,thy peace1 and joy1 and righteousness ,in all our bosoms reign4 ,c4 ,,wesley4 ,god bids us1 then1 by past mercies1 by present grace1 by fears of coming ill1 by hopes in ,his goodness1 earnestly1 with our whole hearts1 seek ,him and ,his righteousness1 and all these things1 all ye need for soul and body1 peace1 comfort1 joy1 the overflowing of ,his consolations1 shall be added over and above to you4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,grant us1 ,o ,lord1 we beseech ,thee1 always to seek ,thy kingdom and righteousness1 and of whatsoever ,thou seest us to stand in need1 mercifully grant us an abundant portion4 ,amen4 ,be content to be a child1 and let the ,father proportion out daily to thee what light1 what power1 what exercises1 what straits1 what fears1 what troubles ,he sees fit for thee4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,november #bc ,i have taught thee ,in the way of wisdom2 ,i have led thee in right paths4--,,prov4 iv4 #aa4 ,we know not what the path may be ,as yet by us untrod2 ,but we can trust our all to ,thee1 ,our ,father and our ,god4 ,,wm4 ,j4 ,,irons4 ,we have very little command over the circumstances in which we may be called by ,god to bear our part--unlimited command over the temper of our souls1 but next to no command over the outward forms of trial4 ,the most energetic will cannot order the events by which our spirits are to be perilled and tested4 ,powers quite beyond our reach--death1 accident1 fortune1 another's sin--may change in a moment all the conditions of our life4 ,with to-morrow's sun existence may have new and awful aspects for any of us4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,oh1 my friend1 look not out at what stands in the way2 what if it look dreadfully as a lion1 is not the ,lord stronger than the mountains of prey8 but look in1 where the law of life is written1 and the will of the ,lord revealed1 that thou mayest know what is the ,lord's will concerning thee4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,november #bd ,be of good courage1 and ,he shall strengthen your heart1 all ye that hope in the ,lord4--,,ps4 xxxi4 #bd4 ,let not your heart be troubled1 neither let it be afraid4--,,john xiv4 #bg4 ,in heavenly love abiding1 ,no change my heart shall fear2 ,and safe is such confiding1 ,for nothing changes here4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,a true ,christian1 that hath power over his own will1 may live nobly and happily1 and enjoy a clear heaven within the serenity of his own mind perpetually4 ,when the sea of this world is most rough and tempestuous about him1 then can he ride safely at anchor within the haven1 by a sweet compliance of his will with ,god's will4 ,he can look about him1 and with an even and indifferent mind behold the world either to smile or frown upon him2 neither will he abate of the least of his contentment for all the ill and unkind usage he meets withal in this life4 ,he that hath got the mastery over his own will feels no violence from without1 finds no contests within2 and when ,god calls for him out of this state of mortality1 he finds in himself a power to lay down his own life2 neither is it so much taken from him1 as quietly and freely surrendered up by him4 ,,dr4 ,,john ,,smith4 ,november #be ,and the ,lord1 ,he it is that doth go before thee2 ,he will be with thee1 ,he will not fail thee1 neither forsake thee3 fear not1 neither be dismayed4--,,deut4 xxxi4 #h4 ,know well1 my soul1 ,god's hand controls ,whatever thou fearest2 ,round ,him in calmest music rolls ,whate'er thou hearest4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,the lessons of the moral sentiment are1 once for all1 an emancipation from that anxiety which takes the joy out of all life4 ,it teaches a great peace4 ,it comes itself from the highest place4 ,it is that1 which being in all sound natures1 and strongest in the best and most gifted men1 we know to be implanted by the ,creator of men4 ,it is a commandment at every moment1 and in every condition of life1 to do the duty of that moment1 and to abstain from doing the wrong4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,go face the fire at sea1 or the cholera in your friend's house1 or the burglar in your own1 or what danger lies in the way of duty1 knowing you are guarded by the cherubim of ,destiny4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,emerson4 ,november #bf ,behold1 ,i am with thee1 and will keep thee in all places whither thou guest4--,,gen4 xxviii4 #ae4 ,be quiet1 soul3 ,why shouldst thou care and sadness borrow1 ,why sit in nameless fear and sorrow1 ,the livelong day8 ,god will mark out thy path to-morrow ,in ,his best way4 ,,anon4 ,i had hoped1 ,madame1 to find you here1 and was rejoicing in that hope2 but ,god has sent you elsewhere4 ,the best place is wherever ,he puts us1 and any other would be undesirable1 all the worse because it would please our fancy1 and would be of our own choice4 ,do not think about distant events4 ,this uneasiness about the future is unwholesome for you4 ,we must leave to ,god all that depends on ,him1 and think only of being faithful in all that depends upon ourselves4 ,when ,god takes away that which ,he has given you1 ,he knows well how to replace it1 either through other means or by ,himself4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,november #bg ,the ,lord hath been mindful of us3 ,he will bless us4--,,ps4 cxv4 #ab4 ,my ,father6 what am ,i1 that all ,thy mercies sweet like sunlight fall ,so constant o'er my way8 ,that ,thy great love should shelter me1 ,and guide my steps so tenderly ,through every changing day8 ,,anon4 ,what a strength and spring of life1 what hope and trust1 what glad1 unresting energy1 is in this one thought1--to serve ,him who is my ,lord1 ever near me1 ever looking on2 seeing my intentions before ,he beholds my failures2 knowing my desires before ,he sees my faults2 cheering me to endeavor greater things1 and yet accepting the least2 inviting my poor service1 and yet1 above all1 content with my poorer love4 ,let us try to realize this1 whatsoever1 wheresoever we be4 ,the humblest and the simplest1 the weakest and the most encumbered1 may love ,him not less than the busiest and strongest1 the most gifted and laborious4 ,if our heart be clear before ,him2 if ,he be to us our chief and sovereign choice1 dear above all1 and beyond all desired2 then all else matters little4 ,that which concerneth us ,he will perfect in stillness and in power4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,november #bh ,yea1 ,i have loved thee with an everlasting love3 therefore with loving kindness have ,i drawn thee4--,,jer4 xxxi4 #c4 ,on the great love of ,god ,i lean1 ,love of the ,infinite1 ,unseen1 ,with nought of heaven or earth between4 ,this ,god is mine1 and ,i am ,his2 ,his love is all ,i need of bliss4 ,h4 ,,bonar4 ,if ever human love was tender1 and self-sacrificing1 and devoted2 if ever it could bear and forbear2 if ever it could suffer gladly for its loved ones2 if ever it was willing to pour itself out in a lavish abandonment for the comfort or pleasure of its objects2 then infinitely more is ,divine love tender1 and self-sacrificing1 and devoted1 and glad to bear and forbear1 and to suffer1 and to lavish its best of gifts and blessings upon the objects of its love4 ,put together all the tenderest love you know of1 the deepest you have ever felt1 and the strongest that has ever been poured out upon you1 and heap upon it all the love of all the loving human hearts in the world1 and then multiply it by infinity1 and you will begin1 perhaps1 to have some faint glimpse of what the love of ,god is4 ,h4 ,w4 ,,smith4 ,november #bi ,my sons1 be not now negligent3 for the ,lord hath chosen you to stand before ,him1 to serve ,him4--#b ,,chron4 xxix4 #aa4 ,bright be my prospect as ,i pass along2-- ,an ardent service at the cost of all1-- ,love by untiring ministry made strong1 ,and ready for the first1 the softest call4 ,a4 ,l4 ,,waring4 ,there are many things that appear trifles1 which greatly tend to enervate the soul1 and hinder its progress in the path to virtue and glory4 ,the habit of indulging in things which our judgment cannot thoroughly approve1 grows stronger and stronger by every act of self-gratification1 and we are led on by degrees to an excess of luxury which must greatly weaken our hands in the spiritual warfare4 ,if we do not endeavor to do that which is right in every particular circumstance1 though trifling1 we shall be in great danger of letting the same negligence take place in matters more essential4 ,,margaret ,,woods4 ,the will can only be made submissive by frequent self-denials1 which must keep in subjection its sallies and inclinations4 ,great weakness is often produced by indulgences which seem of no importance4 ,m4 ,,de ,,molinos4 ,november #cj ,why art thou cast down1 ,o my soul8 and why art thou disquieted in me8 hope thou in ,god2 for ,i shall yet praise ,him for the help of ,his countenance4--,,ps4 xlii4 #e4 ,we are troubled on every side1 yet not distressed4--#b ,,cor4 iv4 #h4 ,oh1 my soul1 why art thou vexed8 ,let things go e'en as they will2 ,though to thee they seem perplexed1 ,yet ,his order they fulfil4 ,a4 ,h4 ,,francke4 ,the vexation1 restlessness1 and impatience which small trials cause1 arise wholly from our ignorance and want of self-control4 ,we may be thwarted and troubled1 it is true1 but these things put us into a condition for exercising patience and meek submission1 and the self-abnegation wherein alone the fulness of ,god is to be found4 ,,de ,,renty4 ,every day deny yourself some satisfaction2--bearing all the inconveniences of life 7for the love of ,god71 cold1 hunger1 restless nights1 ill health1 unwelcome news1 the faults of servants1 contempt1 ingratitude of friends1 malice of enemies1 calumnies1 our own failings1 lowness of spirits1 the struggle in overcoming our corruptions2--bearing all these with patience and resignation to the will of ,god4 ,do all this as unto ,god1 with the greatest privacy4 ,,thomas ,,wilson4 ,december #a ,charity envieth not1 444 thinketh no evil--,i ,,cor4 xiii4 #d1 #e4 ,why dost thou judge thy brother8 or why dost thou set at nought thy brother8--,,rom4 xiv4 #aj4 ,he that despiseth his neighbor sinneth4--,,prov4 xiv4 #ba4 ,look thou with pity on a brother's fall1 ,but dwell not with stern anger on his fault2 ,the grace of ,god alone holds thee1 holds all2 ,were that withdrawn1 thou too wouldst swerve and halt4 ,j4 ,,edmeston4 ,if1 on hearing of the fall of a brother1 however differing or severed from us1 we feel the least inclination to linger over it1 instead of hiding it in grief and shame1 or veiling it in the love which covereth a multitude of sins2 if1 in seeing a joy or a grace or an effective service given to others1 we do not rejoice1 but feel depressed1 let us be very watchful2 the most diabolical of passions may mask itself as humility1 or zeal for the glory of ,god4 ,,elizabeth ,,charles4 ,love taketh up no malign elements2 its spirit prompteth it to cover in mercy all things that ought not to be exposed1 to believe all of good that can be believed1 to hope all things that a good ,god makes possible1 and to endure all things that the hope may be made good4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,december #b ,therefore thou art inexcusable1 ,o man1 whosoever thou art that judgest3 for wherein thou judgest another1 thou condemnest thyself2 for thou that judgest doest the same things4--,,rom4 ii4 ,i4 ,search thine own heart4 ,what paineth thee ,in others1 in thyself may be2 ,all dust is frail1 all flesh is weak2 ,be thou the true man thou dost seek4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,a saint's life in one man may be less than common honesty in another4 ,from us1 whose consciences ,he has reached and enlightened1 ,god may look for a martyr's truth1 a ,christian's unworldly simplicity1 before ,he will place us on a level even with the average of the exposed classes4 ,we perhaps think our lives at least harmless4 ,we do not consider what ,he may think of them1 when compared with the invitations of ,his that we have slighted1 with the aims of ,his ,providence we are leaving without our help1 with the glory for ourselves we are refusing and casting away1 with the vast sum of blessed work that daily faithfulness in time can rear without overwork on any single day4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,december #c ,now the ,god of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing1 that ye may abound in hope1 through the power of the ,holy ,ghost4--,,rom4 xv4 #ac4 ,to heaven ,i lift my waiting eyes2 ,there all my hopes are laid2 ,the ,lord that built the earth and skies ,is my perpetual aid4 ,i4 ,,watts4 ,grovel not in things below1 among earthly cares1 pleasures1 anxieties1 toils1 if thou wouldst have a good strong hope on high4 ,lift up thy cares with thy heart to ,god1 if thou wouldst hope in ,him4 ,then see what in thee is most displeasing to ,god4 ,this it is which holdeth thy hope down4 ,strike firmly1 repeatedly1 in the might of ,god1 until it give way4 ,thy hope will soar at once with thy thanks to ,god who delivered thee4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,the snares of the enemy will be so known to thee and discerned1 the way of help so manifest and easy1 that their strength will be broken1 and the poor entangled bird will fly away singing1 from the nets and entanglements of the fowler2 and praises will spring up1 and great love in thy heart to the ,forgiver and ,redeemer4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,december #d ,fight the good fight of faith1 lay hold on eternal life1 whereunto thou art also called4--,i ,,tim4 vi4 #ab4 ,oh1 dream no more of quiet life2 ,care finds the careless out2 more wise to vow ,thy heart entire to faith's pure strife2 ,so peace will come1 thou knowest not when or how4 ,,lyra ,,apostolica4 ,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 thee ,heaven1 though severe1 is not unkind2 ,heaven is kind1--as a noble mother2 as that ,spartan mother1 saying while she gave her son his shield1 ,with it1 my son1 or upon it4 ,thou too shall 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 ,eternities and deepest death-kingdoms art not an alien2 thou everywhere art a denizen4 ,complain not4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,december #e ,the ,god of all grace1 who hath called us unto ,his eternal glory by ,christ ,jesus1 after that ye have suffered a while1 make you perfect1 stablish1 strengthen1 settle you4--,i ,,pet4 v4 #aj4 ,take heed1 and be quiet2 fear not1 neither be faint-hearted4--,,isa4 vii4 #d4 ,how shall thou bear the cross that now ,so dread a weight appears8 ,keep quietly to ,god1 and think ,upon the ,eternal ,years4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,god forgive them that raise an ill report upon the sweet cross of ,christ2 it is but our weak and dim eyes1 that look but to the black side1 that makes us mistake2 those that can take that crabbed tree handsomely upon their backs1 and fasten it on cannily1 shall find it such a burden as wings unto a bird1 or sails to a ship4 ,s4 ,,rutherford4 ,blessed is any weight1 however overwhelming1 which ,god has been so good as to fasten with ,his own hand upon our shoulders4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,we cannot say this or that trouble shall not befall1 yet we may1 by help of the ,spirit1 say1 nothing that doth befall shall make me do that which is unworthy of a ,christian4 ,r4 ,,sibbes4 ,december #f ,this ,god is our ,god for ever and ever3 ,he will be our guide even unto death4--,,ps4 xlviii4 #ad4 ,for the ,lord shall be thy confidence4--,,prov4 iii4 #bf4 ,be still1 my soul6 ,thy ,god doth undertake ,to guide the future1 as ,he has the past3 ,thy hope1 thy confidence1 let nothing shake1 ,all now mysterious shall be bright at last4 ,j4 ,,borthwjck4 ,he has kept and folded us from ten thousand ills when we did not know it3 in the midst of our security we should have perished every hour1 but that ,he sheltered us from the terror by night and from the arrow that flieth by day--from the powers of evil that walk in darkness1 from snares of our own evil will4 ,he has kept us even against ourselves1 and saved us even from our own undoing4 ,let us read the traces of ,his hand in all our ways1 in all the events1 the chances1 the changes of this troubled state4 ,it is ,he that folds and feeds us1 that makes us to go in and out1--to be faint1 or to find pasture1--to lie down by the still waters1 or to walk by the way that is parched and desert4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,we are never without help4 ,we have no right to say of any good work1 it is too hard for me to do1 or of any sorrow1 it is too hard for me to bear2 or of any sinful habit1 it is too hard for me to overcome4 ,,elizabeth ,,charles4 ,december #g ,acquaint now thyself with ,him1 and be at peace4--,,job xxii4 #ba4 ,all thy children shall be taught of the ,lord2 and great shall be the peace of thy children4--,,isa4 liv4 #ac4 ,unite1 my roving thoughts1 unite ,in silence soft and sweet2 ,and thou1 my soul1 sit gently down ,at thy great ,sovereign's feet4 ,p4 ,,doddridge4 ,yes6 blessed are those holy hours in which the soul retires from the world to be alone with ,god4 ,god's voice1 as ,himself1 is everywhere4 ,within and without1 ,he speaks to our souls1 if we would hear4 ,only the din of the world1 or the tumult of our own hearts1 deafens our inward ear to it4 ,learn to commune with ,him in stillness1 and ,he1 whom thou hast sought in stillness1 will be with thee when thou goest abroad4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,the great step and direct path to the fear and awful reverence of ,god1 is to meditate1 and with a sedate and silent hush to turn the eyes of the mind inwards2 there to seek1 and with a submissive spirit wait at the gates of ,wisdom's temple2 and then the ,divine ,voice and ,distinguishing ,power will arise in the light and centre of a man's self4 ,,thomas ,,tryon4 ,december #h ,blessed be the ,god and ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings4--,,eph4 i4 #c4 ,as sorrowful1 yet alway rejoicing4--#b ,,cor4 vi4 #aj4 ,it is not happiness ,i seek1 ,its name ,i hardly dare to speak2 ,it is not made for man or earth1 ,and ,heaven alone can give it birth4 ,there is a something sweet and pure1 ,through life1 through death it may endure2 ,with steady foot ,i onward press1 ,and long to win that ,blessedness4 ,,louisa ,j4 ,,hall4 ,the elements of happiness in this present life no man can command1 even if he could command himself1 for they depend on the action of many wills1 on the purity of many hearts1 and by the highest law of ,god the holiest must ever bear the sins and sorrows of the rest2 but over the blessedness of his own spirit circumstance need have no control2 ,god has therein given an unlimited power to the means of preservation1 of grace and growth1 at every man's command4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,thom4 ,there is in man a higher than love of happiness3 he can do without happiness1 and instead thereof find blessedness6 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,december #i ,for this shall every one that is godly pray unto ,thee in a time when ,thou mayest be found3 surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him4--,,ps4 xxxii4 #f4 ,be not o'ermastered by thy pain1 ,but cling to ,god1 thou shall not fall2 ,the floods sweep over thee in vain1 ,thou yet shall rise above them all2 ,for when thy trial seems too hard to bear1 ,lo6 ,god1 thy ,king1 hath granted all thy prayer3 ,be thou content4 ,p4 ,,gerhardt4 ,it is the ,lord's mercy1 to give thee breathings after life1 and cries unto ,him against that which oppresseth thee2 and happy wilt thou be1 when ,he shall fill thy soul with that which ,he hath given thee to breathe after4 ,be not troubled2 for if troubles abound1 and there be tossing1 and storms1 and tempests1 and no peace1 nor anything visible left to support2 yet1 lie still1 and sink beneath1 till a secret hope stir1 which will stay the heart in the midst of all these2 until the ,lord administer comfort1 who knows how and what relief to give to the weary traveller1 that knows not where it is1 nor which way to look1 nor where to expect a path4 ,i4 ,,penington4 ,december #aj ,behold1 we count them happy which endure4--,,james v4 #aa4 ,if ye endure chastening1 ,god dealeth with you as with sons4--,,heb4 xii4 #g4 ,trials must and will befall2 ,but with humble faith to see ,love inscribed upon them all1 ,this is happiness to me4 ,w4 ,,cowper4 ,be not afraid of those trials which ,god may see fit to send upon thee4 ,it is with the wind and storm of tribulation that ,god separates the true wheat from the chaff4 ,always remember1 therefore1 that ,god comes to thee in thy sorrows1 as really as in thy joys4 ,he lays low1 and ,he builds up4 ,thou wilt find thyself far from perfection1 if thou dost not find ,god in everything4 ,m4 ,,de ,,molinos4 ,god hath provided a sweet and quiet life for ,his children1 could they improve and use it2 a calm and firm conviction in all the storms and troubles that are about them1 however things go1 to find content1 and be careful for nothing4 ,r4 ,,leighton4 ,december #aa ,oh1 that ,thou wouldest bless me indeed1 and that ,thine hand might be with me1 and that ,thou wouldest keep me from evil1 that it may not grieve me6--,i ,,chron4 iv4 #aj4 ,ye shall serve the ,lord your ,god1 and ,he shall bless thy bread and thy water4--,,ex4 xxiii4 #be4 ,what ,i possess1 or what ,i crave1 ,brings no content1 great ,god1 to me1 ,if what ,i would1 or what ,i have1 ,be not possest1 and blest1 in ,thee2 ,what ,i enjoy1 ,o make it mine1 ,in making me that have it1 ,thine4 ,j4 ,,quarles4 ,offer up to ,god all pure affections1 desires1 regrets1 and all the bonds which link us to home1 kindred1 and friends1 together with all our works1 purposes1 and labors4 ,these things1 which are not only lawful1 but sacred1 become then the matter of thanksgiving and oblation4 ,memories1 plans for the future1 wishes1 intentions2 works just begun1 half done1 all but completed2 emotions1 sympathies1 affections1--all these things throng tumultuously and dangerously in the heart and will4 ,the only way to master them is to offer them up to ,him1 as once ours1 under ,him1 always ,his by right4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,december #ab ,i delight to do ,thy will1 ,o my ,god3 yea1 ,thy law is within my heart4--,,ps4 xl4 #h4 ,a patient1 a victorious mind1 ,that life and all things casts behind1 ,springs forth obedient to ,thy call2 ,a heart that no desire can move1 ,but still to adore1 believe1 and love1 ,give me1 my ,lord1 my ,life1 my ,all4 ,p4 ,,gerhardt4 ,that piety which sanctifies us1 and which is a true devotion to ,god1 consists in doing all ,his will precisely at the time1 in the situation1 and under the circumstances1 in which ,he has placed us4 ,perfect devotedness requires1 not only that we do the will of ,god1 but that we do it with love4 ,god would have us serve ,him with delight2 it is our hearts that ,he asks of us4 ,,fran,,ois ,,de ,,la ,,mothe ,f,,nelon4 ,devotion is really neither more nor less than a general inclination and readiness to do that which we know to be acceptable to ,god4 ,it is that free spirit1 of which ,david spoke when he said1 ,i will run the way of ,thy commandments1 when ,thou hast set my heart at liberty4 ,people of ordinary goodness walk in ,god's way1 but the devout run in it1 and at length they almost fly therein4 ,to be truly devout1 we must not only do ,god's will1 but we must do it cheerfully4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales4 ,december #ac ,so teach us to number our days1 that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom4--,,ps4 xc4 #ab4 ,seek not ye what ye shall eat1 or what ye shall drink1 neither be ye of doubtful mind4--,,luke xii4 #bi4 ,our days are numbered3 let us spare ,our anxious hearts a needless care3 ',t is ,thine to number out our days2 ',t is ours to give them to ,thy praise4 ,,madame ,,guyon4 ,every day let us renew the consecration to ,god's service2 every day let us1 in ,his strength1 pledge ourselves afresh to do ,his will1 even in the veriest trifle1 and to turn aside from anything that may displease ,him4 ,he does not bid us bear the burdens of tomorrow1 next week1 or next year4 ,every day we are to come to ,him in simple obedience and faith1 asking help to keep us1 and aid us through that day's work2 and to-morrow1 and to-morrow1 and to-morrow1 through years of long to-morrows1 it will be but the same thing to do2 leaving the future always in ,god's hands1 sure that ,he can care for it better than we4 ,blessed trust6 that can thus confidingly say1 ,this hour is mine with its present duty2 the next is ,god's1 and when it comes1 ,his presence will come with it4 ,w4 ,r4 ,,huntincton4 ,december #ad ,and as many as walk according to this rule1 peace be on them1 and mercy1 and upon the ,israel of ,god4--,,gal4 vi4 #af4 ,lord1 ,i have given my life to ,thee1 ,and every day and hour is ,thine1-- ,what ,thou appointest let them be2 ,thy will is better1 ,lord1 than mine4 ,a4 ,,warner4 ,begin at once2 before you venture away from this quiet moment1 ask your ,king to take you wholly into ,his service1 and place all the hours of this day quite simply at ,his disposal1 and ask ,him to make and keep you ready to do just exactly what ,he appoints4 ,never mind about to-morrow2 one day at a time is enough4 ,try it to-day1 and see if it is not a day of strange1 almost curious peace1 so sweet that you will be only too thankful1 when to-morrow comes1 to ask ,him to take it also1--till it will become a blessed habit to hold yourself simply and wholly at ,thy commandment for any manner of service4 ,the whatsoever is not necessarily active work4 ,it may be waiting 7whether half an hour or half a life-time71 learning1 suffering1 sitting still4 ,but shall we be less ready for these1 if any of them are ,his appointments for to-day8 ,let us ask ,him to prepare us for all that ,he is preparing for us4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,december #ae ,return unto thy rest1 ,o my soul2 for the ,lord hath dealt bountifully with thee4--,,ps4 cxvi4 #g4 ,we which have believed do enter into rest4--,,heb4 iv4 #c4 ,rest is not quitting ,the busy career2 ,rest is the fitting ,of self to its sphere4 ',t is loving and serving ,the highest and best6 ',t is onwards1 unswerving1-- ,and that is true rest4 ,j4 ,s4 ,,dwight4 ,as a result of this strong faith1 the inner life of ,catherine of ,genoa was characterized1 in a remarkable degree1 by what may be termed rest1 or quietude2 which is only another form of expression for true interior peace4 ,it was not1 however1 the quietude of a lazy inaction1 but the quietude of an inward acquiescence2 not a quietude which feels nothing and does nothing1 but that higher and divine quietude which exists by feeling and acting in the time and degree of ,god's appointment and ,god's will4 ,it was a principle in her conduct1 to give herself to ,god in the discharge of duty2 and to leave all results without solicitude in ,his hands4 ,t4 ,c4 ,,upham4 ,december #af ,thou understandest my thought afar off4--,,ps4 cxxxix4 #b4 ,who can understand his errors8 cleanse ,thou me from secret faults4--,,ps4 xix4 #ab4 ,my newest griefs to ,thee are old2 ,my last transgression of ,thy law1 ,though wrapped in thought's most secret fold1 ,thine eyes with pitying sadness saw4 ,h4 ,m4 ,,kimball4 ,lord our ,god1 great1 eternal1 wonderful in glory1 who keepest covenant and promises for those that love ,thee with their whole heart1 who art the ,life of all1 the ,help of those that flee unto ,thee1 the ,hope of those who cry unto ,thee1 cleanse us from our sins1 secret and open1 and from every thought displeasing to ,thy goodness1--cleanse our bodies and souls1 our hearts and consciences1 that with a pure heart1 and a clear soul1 with perfect love and calm hope1 we may venture confidently and fearlessly to pray unto ,thee4 ,amen4 ,,coptic ,,liturgy ,,of ,,st4 ,,basil4 ,the dominion of any sinful habit will fearfully estrange us from ,his presence4 ,a single consenting act of inward disobedience in thought or will is enough to let fall a cloud between ,him and us1 and to leave our hearts cheerless and dark4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,december #ag ,the fruit of the ,spirit is love1 joy1 peace1 long-suffering1 gentleness1 goodness1 faith1 meekness1 temperance4--,,gal4 v4 #bb1 #bc4 ,herein is my ,father glorified1 that ye bear much fruit2 so shall ye be my disciples4--,,john xv4 #h4 ,o ,breath from out the ,eternal ,silence6 blow ,softly upon our spirits' barren ground2 ,the precious fulness of our ,god bestow1 ,that fruits of faith1 love1 reverence may abound4 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,is it possible we should be ignorant whether we feel tempers contrary to love or no8--whether we rejoice always1 or are burdened and bowed down with sorrow8--whether we have a praying1 or a dead1 lifeless spirit8--whether we can praise ,god1 and be resigned in all trials1 or feel murmurings1 fretfulness1 and impatience under them8--is it not easy to know if we feel anger at provocations1 or whether we feel our tempers mild1 gentle1 peaceable1 and easy to be entreated1 or feel stubbornness1 self-will1 and pride8 whether we have slavish fears1 or are possessed of that perfect love which casteth out all fear that hath torment8 ,,hester ,,ann ,,rogers4 ,december #ah ,we trust in the living ,god4--,i ,,tim4 iv4 #aj4 ,thy secret judgment's depths profound ,still sings the silent night2 ,the day1 upon his golden round1 ,thy pity infinite4 ,i4 ,,williams4 ,tr4 from ,latin4 ,now that ,i have no longer any sense for the transitory and perishable1 the universe appears before my eyes under a transformed aspect4 ,the dead1 heavy mass which did but stop up space has vanished1 and in its place there flows onward1 with the rushing music of mighty waves1 an eternal stream of life1 and power1 and action1 which issues from the original source of all life1--from ,thy life1 ,o ,infinite ,one6 for all life is ,thy life1 and only the religious eye penetrates to the realm of true ,beauty4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,fichte4 ,what is ,nature8 ,art thou not the ,living ,garment of ,god8 ,o ,heavens1 is it1 in very deed1 ,he then that ever speaks through thee2 that lives and loves in thee1 that lives and loves in me8 ,sweeter than dayspring to the shipwrecked in ,nova ,zembla2 ah6 like the mother's voice to her little child that strays bewildered1 weeping1 in unknown tumults2 like soft streamings of celestial music to my too exasperated heart1 came that ,evangel4 ,the ,universe is not dead and demoniacal1 a charnel-house with spectres2 but godlike1 and my ,father's4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,december #ai ,and now1 ,lord1 what wait ,i for8 my hope is in ,thee4--,,ps4 xxxix4 #g4 ,o ,lord1 be gracious unto us2 we have waited for ,thee4--,,isa4 xxxiii4 #b4 ,he never comes too late2 ,he knoweth what is best2 ,vex not thyself in vain2 ,until ,he cometh1 rest4 ,b4 ,t4 ,we make mistakes1 or what we call such4 ,the nature that could fall into such mistake exactly needs1 and in the goodness of the dear ,god is given1 the living of it out1 ,and beyond this1 ,i believe more4 ,that in the pure and patient living of it out we come to find that we have fallen1 not into hopeless confusion of our own wild1 ignorant making2 but that the finger of ,god has been at work among our lines1 and that the emerging is into ,his blessed order2 that ,he is forever making up for us our own undoings2 that ,he makes them up beforehand2 that ,he evermore restoreth our souls4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,,the ,lord knows how to make stepping-stones for us of our defects1 even2 it is what ,he lets them be for4 ,he remembereth--,he remembered in the making--that we are but dust2 the dust of earth1 that ,he chose to make something little lower than the angels out of4 ,a4 ,d4 ,t4 ,,whitney4 ,december #bj ,take no thought how or what ye shall speak3 for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak4--,,matt4 x4 #ai4 ,just to follow hour by hour ,as ,he leadeth2 ,just to draw the moment's power ,as it needeth4 ,f4 ,r4 ,,havergal4 ,you have a disagreeable duty to do at twelve o'clock4 ,do not blacken nine1 and ten1 and eleven1 and all between1 with the color of twelve4 ,do the work of each1 and reap your reward in peace4 ,so when the dreaded moment in the future becomes the present1 you shall meet it walking in the light1 and that light will overcome its darkness4 ,the best preparation is the present well seen to1 the last duty done4 ,for this will keep the eye so clear and the body so full of light that the right action will be perceived at once1 the right words will rush from the heart to the lips1 and the man1 full of the ,spirit of ,god because he cares for nothing but the will of ,god1 will trample on the evil thing in love1 and be sent1 it may be1 in a chariot of fire to the presence of his ,father1 or stand unmoved amid the cruel mockings of the men he loves4 ,g4 ,,macdonald4 ,december #ba ,hast thou not known8 hast thou not heard1 that the everlasting ,god1 the ,lord1 the ,creator of the ends of the earth1 fainteth not1 neither is weary8 ,he giveth power to the faint2 and to them that have no might he increaseth strength4--,,isa4 xl4 #bh1 #bi4 ,workman of ,god6 oh1 lose not heart1 ,but learn what ,god is like2 ,and in the darkest battle-field ,thou shall know where to strike4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,faber4 ,for the rest1 let that vain struggle to read the mystery of the ,infinite cease to harass us4 ,it is a mystery which1 through all ages1 we shall only read here a line of1 there another line of4 ,do we not already know that the name of the ,infinite is ,,good1 is ,,god8 ,here on earth we are as soldiers1 fighting in a foreign land1 that understand not the plan of the campaign1 and have no need to understand it2 seeing well what is at our hand to be done4 ,let us do it like soldiers1 with submission1 with courage1 with a heroic joy4 ,behind us1 behind each one of us1 lie six thousand years of human1 effort1 human conquest3 before us is the boundless ,time1 with its as yet uncreated and unconquered continents and ,eldorados1 which we1 even we1 have to conquer1 to create2 and from the bosom of ,eternity there shine for us celestial guiding stars4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,december #bb ,i will wait upon the ,lord1 that hideth ,his face from the house of ,jacob1 and ,i will look for ,him4--,,isa4 viii4 #ag4 ,what heart can comprehend ,thy name1 ,or1 searching1 find ,thee out8 ,who art within1 a quickening flame1 ,a presence round about4 ,yet though ,i know ,thee but in part1 ,i ask not1 ,lord1 for more3 ,enough for me to know ,thou art1 ,to love ,thee and adore4 ,f4 ,l4 ,,hosmer4 ,stand up1 ,o heart6 and yield not one inch of thy rightful territory to the usurping intellect4 ,hold fast to ,god in spite of logic1 and yet not quite blindly4 ,be not torn from thy grasp upon the skirts of ,his garments by any wrench of atheistic hypothesis that seeks only to hurl thee into utter darkness2 but refuse not to let thy hands be gently unclasped by that loving and pious philosophy that seeks to draw thee from the feet of ,god only to place thee in ,his bosom4 ,trustfully1 though tremblingly1 let go the robe1 and thou shalt rest upon the heart and clasp the very living soul of ,god4 ,,james ,,hinton4 ,december #bc ,thou therefore endure hardness1 as a good soldier of ,jesus ,christ4--#b ,,tim4 ii4 #c4 ,where our ,captain bids us go1 ',t is not ours to murmur1 ,no1 ,he that gives the sword and shield1 ,chooses too the battle-field ,on which we are to fight the foe4 ,,anon4 ,of nothing may we be more sure than this2 that1 if we cannot sanctify our present lot1 we could sanctify no other4 ,our heaven and our ,almighty ,father are there or nowhere4 ,the obstructions of that lot are given for us to heave away by the concurrent touch of a holy spirit1 and labor of strenuous will2 its gloom1 for us to tint with some celestial light2 its mysteries are for our worship2 its sorrows for our trust2 its perils for our courage2 its temptations for our faith4 ,soldiers of the cross1 it is not for us1 but for our ,leader and our ,lord1 to choose the field2 it is ours1 taking the station which ,he assigns1 to make it the field of truth and honor1 though it be the field of death4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,december #bd ,giving thanks unto the ,father1 which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light4--,,col4 i4 #ab4 ,the souls most precious to us here ,may from this home have fled2 ,but still we make one household dear2 ,one ,lord is still our head4 ,midst cherubim and seraphim ,they mind their ,lord's affairs2 ,oh6 if we bring our work to ,him ,our work is one with theirs4 ,t4 ,h4 ,,gill4 ,we are apt to feel as if nothing we could do on earth bears a relation to what the good are doing in a higher world2 but it is not so4 ,heaven and earth are not so far apart4 ,every disinterested act1 every sacrifice to duty1 every exertion for the good of one of the least of ,christ's brethren1 every new insight into ,god's works1 every new impulse given to the love of truth and goodness1 associates us with the departed1 brings us nearer to them1 and is as truly heavenly as if we were acting1 not on earth1 but in heaven4 ,the spiritual tie between us and the departed is not felt as it should be4 ,our union with them daily grows stronger1 if we daily make progress in what they are growing in4 ,,wm4 ,e4 ,,channing4 ,december #be ,that ye1 being rooted and grounded in love1 may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height2 and to know the love of ,christ1 which passeth knowledge1 that ye might be filled with all the fulness of ,god4--,,eph4 iii4 #ag-ai4 ,o love that passeth knowledge1 thee ,i need2 ,pour in the heavenly sunshine2 fill my heart2 ,scatter the cloud1 the doubting1 and the dread1-- ,the joy unspeakable to me impart4 ,h4 ,,bonar4 ,to examine its evidence is not to try ,christianity2 to admire its martyrs is not to try ,christianity2 to compare and estimate its teachers is not to try ,christianity2 to attend its rites and services with more than ,mahometan punctuality is not to try or know ,christianity4 ,but for one week1 for one day1 to have lived in the pure atmosphere of faith and love to ,god1 of tenderness to man2 to have beheld earth annihilated1 and heaven opened to the prophetic gaze of hope2 to have seen evermore revealed behind the complicated troubles of this strange1 mysterious life1 the unchanged smile of an eternal ,friend1 and everything that is difficult to reason solved by that reposing trust which is higher and better than reason1--to have known and felt this1 ,i will not say for a life1 but for a single blessed hour1 that1 indeed1 is to have made experiment of ,christianity4 ,,wm4 ,,archer ,,butler4 ,december #bf ,the peace of ,god1 which passeth all understanding1 shall keep your hearts and minds through ,christ ,jesus4--,,phil4 iv4 #g4 ,let the peace of ,god rule in your hearts4--,,col4 iii4 #ae4 ,drop ,thy still dews of quietness1 ,till all our strivings cease2 ,take from our souls the strain and stress1 ,and let our ordered lives confess ,the beauty of ,thy peace4 ,j4 ,g4 ,,whittier4 ,these things write we unto you1 that your joy may be full4 ,what is fulness of joy but peace8 ,joy is tumultuous only when it is not full2 but peace is the privilege of those who are filled with the knowledge of the glory of the ,lord1 as the waters cover the sea4 ,thou wilt keep him in perfect peace1 whose mind is stayed on ,thee1 because he trusteth in ,thee4 ,it is peace1 springing from trust and innocence1 and then overflowing in love towards all around him4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,newman4 ,,through the spirit of ,divine ,love let the violent1 obstinate powers of thy nature be quieted1 the hardness of thy affections softened1 and thine intractable self-will subdued2 and as often as anything contrary stirs within thee1 immediately sink into the blessed ,ocean of meekness and love4 ,g4 ,,tersteegen4 ,december #bg ,wherefore thou art no more a servant1 but a son2 and if a son1 then an heir of ,god through ,christ4--,,gal4 iv4 #g4 ,not by the terrors of a slave ,god's sons perform ,his will1 ,but with the noblest powers they have ,his sweet commands fulfil4 ,,isaac ,,watts4 ,our thoughts1 good or bad1 are not in our command1 but every one of us has at all hours duties to do1 and these he can do negligently1 like a slave1 or faithfully1 like a true servant4 ,do the duty that is nearest thee--that first1 and that well2 all the rest will disclose themselves with increasing clearness1 and make their successive demand4 ,were your duties never so small1 ,i advise you1 set yourself with double and treble energy and punctuality1 to do them1 hour after hour1 day after day4 ,t4 ,,carlyle4 ,whatever we are1 high or lowly1 learned or unlearned1 married or single1 in a full house or alone1 charged with many affairs or dwelling in quietness1 we have our daily round of work1 our duties of affection1 obedience1 love1 mercy1 industry1 and the like2 and that which makes one man to differ from another is not so much what things he does1 as his manner of doing them4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,manning4 ,december #bh ,now the ,god of peace make you perfect in every good work1 to do ,his will1 working in you that which is well-pleasing in ,his sight1 through ,jesus ,christ4--,,heb4 xiii4 #bj1 #ba4 ,be ready to every good work4--,,titus iii4 ,i4 ,so1 firm in steadfast hope1 in thought secure1 ,in full accord to all ,thy world of joy1 ,may ,i be nerved to labors high and pure1 ,and ,thou ,thy child to do ,thy work employ4 ,j4 ,,sterling4 ,be with ,god in thy outward works1 refer them to ,him1 offer them to ,him1 seek to do them in ,him and for ,him1 and ,he will be with thee in them1 and they shall not hinder1 but rather invite ,his presence in thy soul4 ,seek to see ,him in all things1 and in all things ,he will come nigh to thee4 ,e4 ,b4 ,,pusey4 ,nothing less than the majesty of ,god1 and the powers of the world to come1 can maintain the peace and sanctity of our homes1 the order and serenity of our minds1 the spirit of patience and tender mercy in our hearts4 ,then will even the merest drudgery of duty cease to humble us1 when we transfigure it by the glory of our own spirit4 ,j4 ,,martineau4 ,december #bi ,finally1 brethren1 whatsoever things are true1 whatsoever things are honest1 whatsoever things are just1 whatsoever things are pure1 whatsoever things are lovely1 whatsoever things are of good report1--think on these things4--,,phil4 iv4 #h4 ,as he thinketh in his heart1 so is he4--,,prov4 xxiii4 #g4 ,still may ,thy sweet mercy spread ,a shady arm above my head1 ,about my paths2 so shall ,i find ,the fair centre of my mind ,thy temple1 and those lovely walls ,bright ever with a beam that falls ,fresh from the pure glance of ,thine eye1 ,lighting to eternity4 ,r4 ,,crashaw4 ,make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts4 ,none of us yet know1 for none of us have been taught in early youth1 what fairy palaces we may build of beautiful thought--proof against all adversity4 ,bright fancies1 satisfied memories1 noble histories1 faithful sayings1 treasure--houses of precious and restful thoughts1 which care cannot disturb1 nor pain make gloomy1 nor poverty take away from us1--houses built without hands1 for our souls to live in4 ,j4 ,,ruskin4 ,december #cj ,o ,lord1 ,i know that the way of man is not in himself3 it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps4--,,jer4 x4 #bc4 ,i will direct all his ways4--,,isa4 xlv4 #ac4 ,come1 ,light serene and still6 ,our darkened spirits fill ,with thy clear day3 ,guide of the feeble sight1 ,star of grief's darkest night1 ,reveal the path of right1 ,show us ,thy way4 ,,robert ,,ii4 ,,of ,,france4 ,there had been solemn appointed seasons in ,anna's life1 when she was accustomed to enter upon a full and deliberate survey of her business in this world4 ,the claims of each relationship1 and the results of each occupation1 were then examined in the light of eternity4 ,it was then1 too1 her fervent prayer to be enabled to discern the will of ,god far more perfectly1 not only in the indications given of it for her guidance through each day's occupations1 but as it might concern duties not yet brought home to her conscience1 and therefore unprovided for in her life4 ,,sarah ,w4 ,,stephen4 ,december #ca ,forgetting those things which are behind1 and reaching forth unto those things which are before1 ,i press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of ,god in ,christ ,jesus4--,,phil4 iii4 #ac1 #ad4 ,yet ,i argue not ,against ,heaven's hand or will1 nor bate a jot ,of heart or hope2 but still bear up and steer ,right onward4 ,j4 ,,milton4 ,it is not by regretting what is irreparable that true work is to be done1 but by making the best of what we are4 ,it is not by complaining that we have not the right tools1 but by using well the tools we have4 ,what we are1 and where we are1 is ,god's providential arrangement1--,god's doing1 though it may be man's misdoing2 and the manly and the wise way is to look your disadvantages in the face1 and see what can be made out of them4 ,life1 like war1 is a series of mistakes1 and he is not the best ,christian nor the best general who makes the fewest false steps4 ,he is the best who wins the most splendid victories by the retrieval of mistakes4 ,forget mistakes2 organize victory out of mistakes4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,robertson4