Will ye leave the flowers for the crown?"

Then into his hand went mine And into my heart came He, And I walked in a light divine The path I had feared to see.

--George Macdonald.

Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of Jehovah your G.o.d.

--Jeremiah 26. 13.

Eternal G.o.d, teach me the way of a complete and unbroken trust. In my disappointments, and in my devotions, may my faith and hope be as immortal as my soul. May I listen for thy voice and answer thy call.

Amen.

MARCH THIRTY-FIRST

Ludwig von Beethoven died 1827.

Joseph Francis Haydn born 1732.

Andrew Lang born 1844.

Charlotte Bronte died 1855.

The Great Being unseen, but all-present, who in his beneficence desires only our welfare, watches the struggle between good and evil in our hearts, and waits to see whether we obey his voice, heard in the whispers of conscience, or lend an ear to the Spirit Evil, which seeks to lead us astray. Rough and steep is the path indicated by divine suggestion; mossy and declining the green way along which temptation strews flowers. Then conscience whispers, "Do what you feel is right, obey me, and I will plant for you firm footing."

--Charlotte Bronte.

G.o.d help us do our duty, and not shrink, And trust in heaven humbly for the rest.

--Owen Meredith.

I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life.

--Deuteronomy 30. 19.

My Father, as I review my life I am impressed how accurately my deeds have copied my thoughts. And though I have failed the so often, yet I pray that thou wilt accept my yearnings, to think and work for the best in every day. Amen.

APRIL

G.o.d's April is coming up the hill, and the noisy winds are quieting down, subdued by the fragrance of the wild flowers on the way. Lest we miss the richness of life, while pursuing the world, G.o.d continues to pour out precious fragrance from his storehouse, and unconsciously, our souls are lulled to peace through the sweetness of April days.

--M.B.S.

APRIL FIRST

All Fools' Day.

William Harvey born 1578.

Prince von Bismarck born 1815.

Edwin A. Abbey born 1852.

Agnes Repplier born 1858.

It is a peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others, and to forget his own.

--Cicero.

A man may be as much a fool from the want of sensibility as the want of sense.

--Mrs. Jameson.

He that knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool: shun him.

--Arabian Maxim.

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?

There is more hope of a fool than of him.

--Proverbs 26. 12.

Almighty G.o.d, grant that I may be spared the allurements of deceptive happiness which leaves weary days. I ask for wisdom that I may not speak foolishly, think foolishly, or act foolishly; and may I not be detained by the foolishness of others, but pursue my work, whether it be far or near. Amen.

APRIL SECOND

Charlemagne born 742.

Thomas Jefferson, Virginia, third President United States, born 1743.

Hans Andersen born 1805.

Frederic A. Bartholdi born 1834.

Emile Zola born 1840.

When a man a.s.sumes a public trust he should consider himself public property.