Shall two walk together, except they have agreed?

--Amos 3. 3.

Lord G.o.d, I thank thee for the delight of congenial companions and the memory of friendship. May I not be quick to lose my friends through misunderstanding and selfishness. May I be considerate and constant and be able to climb to the highest steeps of friendship. Amen.

AUGUST SEVENTEENTH

Dr. William Carey born 1761.

David Crockett born 1786.

Mary Abigail Dodge (Gail Hamilton) died 1896.

The destiny of nations lies far more in the hands of women--the mothers--than in the hands of those who possess power. We must cultivate women, who are educators of the human race, else a new generation cannot accomplish its task.

--Froebel.

In an old continental town they will show you a prison in a tower, and on all the stones of that prison within reach one word is carved--it is, "Resist!" Years ago a G.o.dly woman was for forty years immured in that dungeon, and she spent her time in cutting with a piece of iron on every stone that one word, for the strengthening of her own heart and for the benefit of all who might come after her, "Resist!" "Resist!" "Resist!"

--J.G. Mantle.

Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews ... and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

--Esther 4. 13, 14.

Lord G.o.d, give me wisdom to help relieve the ignorant and suffering.

May I strive in every way to free thy people, that they may be uplifted in the progress of life. Amen.

AUGUST EIGHTEENTH

Virginia Dare, first English child born in America, 1587.

Dr. Henry Hammond born 1605.

Robert Williams Buchanan born 1841.

John Russell born 1792.

Pour out thy love like the rush of a river, Wasting its waters for ever and ever, Through the burnt sands that reward not the giver; Silent or songful thou nearest the sea.

Scatter thy life as the summer showers pouring.

What if no bird through the pearl rain is soaring?

What if no blossom looks upward adoring?

Look to the life that was lavished for thee.

--Unknown.

Who is the happiest person? He whose nature asks for nothing that the world does not wish and use.

--Goethe.

Freely ye received, freely give.

--Matthew 10. 8.

My Father, I pray that I may have the sympathy that responds with consideration and devotion. May it be a joy for me to give comfort and render service where I may help. Grant that I may not linger too long in happiness and miss thy blessings, but remember that to "travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Amen.

AUGUST NINETEENTH

Augustus Caesar died A.D. 14.

James Watt died 1819.

Robert Bloomfield died 1823.

Honore Balzac died 1850.

It is written not, "Blessed is he that feedeth the poor," but "Blessed is he that considereth the poor." And you know a little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.

--John Ruskin.

So pity never leaves the gentle breast Where love has been received a welcome guest; As wandering saints poor huts have sacred made, He hallows every heart he once has swayed, And, when his presence we no longer share, Still leaves compa.s.sion as a relic there.

--Thomas Sheridan.

If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit?

--James 2. 16.

Tender Father, help me to consider those who receive the crust of bread at my door; for if it be needed it is asked for by sad and desperate lives. Make me conscious of thy mercy and help, that I may be considerate for the one with the outstretched hand. Amen.

AUGUST TWENTIETH

Saint Bernard died 1153.