Robert Burns born 1759.

Lord Frederick Leighton died 1896.

Daniel Maclise born 1811.

When ranting round in pleasure's ring Religion may be blinded: Or if she gie a random sting, It may be little minded: But when on life we're Tempest-driv'n-- A conscience but a canker, A correspondence fixed wi' Heav'n, Is sure a n.o.ble anchor.

--Robert Burns.

Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever; Do n.o.ble things, not dream them, all day long: And so make life, death, and that vast forever One grand sweet song.

--Charles Kingsley.

O Lord, by these things men live; And wholly therein is the life of my spirit: Wherefore recover thou me, and make me to live.

--Isaiah 38. 16.

Gracious Father, grant that I may not be willing to spend my life for trivial needs, for thou dost measure me for what I am, and boldest me for what I lose in waste. Be with me in my judgment of what is best, that I may make the most of my life. Amen.

JANUARY TWENTY-SIXTH

Lord George Sackville born 1716.

Benjamin Robert Haydon born 1786.

Mary Mapes Dodge born 1838.

General Gordon (Chinese Gordon) killed 1885.

Ave Maria! blessed be the hour, That time, the clime, the spot, where I so oft Have felt that moment in its fullest power Sink o'er the earth so beautiful and soft, While swung the deep bell in the distant tower Or the faint dying day-hymn stole aloft, And not a breath crept through the rosy air, And yet the forest leaves seemed stirred with prayer.

--Lord Byron.

I am quite happy, thank G.o.d, and like Lawrence, I have tried to do my duty.

--General Gordon (just before death).

For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly in his pavilion: In the covert of his tabernacle will he hide me; He will lift me up upon a rock.

--Psalm 27. 5.

Heavenly Father, teach me how to breathe in the sweetness of life.

Reveal to me the life that will bring peace to the soul. May I not be dismayed, but find the "Peace that pa.s.seth all understanding," the perfect peace that comes from thee. Amen.

JANUARY TWENTY-SEVENTH

Johannes Wolfgang Mozart born 1756.

A.W. von Schlegel born 1767.

David Friedrich Strauss born 1808.

To keep young, every day read a poem, hear a choice piece of music, view a fine painting, and, if possible, do a good action. Man's highest merit always is, as much as possible, to rule external circ.u.mstances, and as little as possible to let himself be ruled by them.

--Goethe.

Let us not always say, "Spite of this flesh to-day I strove, made head, gained ground upon the whole!"

As the bird wings and sings, Let us cry, "All good things Are ours, nor soul helps flesh more now than flesh helps soul!"

--Robert Browning.

Surely goodness and loving-kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.

--Psalm 23. 6.

Loving Father, help me to foresee that it is what I care for to-day that determines how I will find old age. May I not bring my closing years to weariness and lonesomeness, but may I have the restfulness that comes with communing with thee. Amen.

JANUARY TWENTY-EIGHTH

Charlemagne died 814.

Sir Francis Drake died 1596.

Peter the Great died 1725.

Charles George Gordon (Chinese Gordon) born 1833.

He only is advancing in life whose heart is getting softer, whose blood warmer, whose brain quicker, and whose spirit is entering into living peace. And the men who have this life in them are the true lords and kings of the earth--they, and they only.

--John Ruskin.

Just where you stand in the conflict, There is your place!

Just where you think you are useless, Hide not your face!

G.o.d placed you there for a purpose, What e'er it be; Think you he has chosen you for it: Work loyally.

--Anonymous.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of G.o.d! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!

--Romans 11. 33.