DECEMBER TWENTY-EIGHTH

Catherine M. Sedgwick born 1789.

Woodrow Wilson, Virginia, twenty-seventh President United States, born 1856.

Thomas B. Macaulay died 1859.

The government might be serviceable for many things. It might a.s.sist in a hundred ways to safeguard the lives and the health and promote the comfort and happiness of the people; but it can do these things only if they respond to public opinion, only if those who lead government see the country as a whole, feel a deep thrill of intimate sympathy with every cla.s.s and every interest in it.

--Woodrow Wilson.

The hearts of men are their books; events are their tutors; great actions are their eloquence.

--Thomas B. Macaulay.

Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people, and for the cities of our G.o.d: and Jehovah do that which seemeth him good.

--2 Samuel 10. 12.

Lord G.o.d, I pray that my estimate of life may not be as I take it, but as thou hast given it for peace and prosperity. Teach me my duty to my country, and make me useful in uplifting and serving humanity. Amen.

DECEMBER TWENTY-NINTH

Thomas a Becket died 1170.

Andrew Johnson, Tennessee, seventeenth President United States, born 1808.

William E. Gladstone born 1809.

Margaret Bottome born 1827.

Pauline O. Louise, Queen of Roumania (Carmen Sylva), born 1843.

Christina G. Rossetti died 1894.

One example is worth a thousand arguments.

--William E. Gladstone.

One day at a time! That's all it can be No faster than that is the hardest of fate, And days have their limit, however we Begin them too early or stretch them late.

--J.R. Miller.

He lives happy and master of himself Who can say, as each day pa.s.ses on, I have lived! no matter whether to-morrow The great Father shall give us a clouded sky or a clear day.

--Horace.

Give us this day our daily bread.

--Matthew 6. 11.

Eternal G.o.d, guard me against the love of praise, that I may not lose the sense of duty. Start me for the right places and give me strength with my days, that I may press toward their possession. Deliver me from drifting when it is mine to pull against the tide, that I may not be carried out of my course. Shield me from the storms that may gather about me, and bring us all to the desired haven safe in thy keeping.

Amen.

DECEMBER THIRTIETH

t.i.tus born A.D. 40.

William R. Alger born 1822.

Rudyard Kipling born 1865.

G.o.d of our fathers, known of old, Lord of our far-flung battle line, Beneath whose awful hand we hold Dominion over palm and pine: Lord G.o.d of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget--lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust In reeking tube and iron shard; All valiant dust that builds on dust, And guarding calls not thee to guard: For frantic boast and foolish word, Thy mercy on thy people, Lord! Amen.

--Rudyard Kipling.

But thou shalt remember Jehovah thy G.o.d, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.

--Deuteronomy 8. 18.

Almighty G.o.d, as I come to thee wilt thou forgive me for the errors I have made, and for the promises that I have broken. Help me to be as true as the holly that keeps itself red through the snow. Remind me of my opportunities as I breathe in thy blessings, "Lest I forget!" Amen.

DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST

New Year's Eve.

John Wycliffe died 1384.

Battle of Wakefield 1460.

Charles Marquis Cornwallis born 1738.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease, Ring out the narrow l.u.s.t of gold: Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace.