AUGUST THIRTY-FIRST

John Bunyan died 1686.

Charles James Lever born 1806.

Theophile Gautier born 1811.

Queen Wilhelmina of Holland born 1880.

Let us be patient, and endure a while; the time may come that G.o.d may give us a happy release; but let us not be our own murderers.

--John Bunyan.

He that is down need fear no fall; He that is low no pride; He that is humble ever shall Have G.o.d to be his guide.

--John Bunyan.

Time delivers fools from grief and reason wise men.

--Epictetus.

For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.

--2 Corinthians 4. 17.

My Lord, if I may be walking through fields that are rough with grief and care, may I have the courage to continue on to the smooth pastures, where I may walk with comfort and peace. May I not let the weariness and sorrow that may come to my heart to-day dwarf my hope and enjoyment of the future. Amen.

SEPTEMBER

Go forth at eventide, The eventide of summer, when the trees Yield their frail honors to the pa.s.sing breeze, And woodland paths with autumn tints are dyed; When the mild sun his paling l.u.s.ter shrouds In gorgeous draperies of golden clouds, Then wander forth, mid beauty and decay, To meditate alone--alone to watch and pray.

--Emma C. Embury.

SEPTEMBER FIRST

Edward Alleyn born 1566.

Lydia Sigourney born 1791.

James Gordon Bennett, Sr., born 1795.

William Stanley Jevons born 1835.

O ye, who proudly boast, In your veins, the blood of sires like these, Look to their lineaments. Dread lest ye lose Their likeness in your sons. Should mammon cling Too close around your heart, or wealth beget That bloated luxury which eats the core From manly virtue, or the tempting world Make faint the Christian purpose in your soul, Turn ye to Plymouth Rock, and where they knelt Kneel, and renew the vow they breathed to G.o.d.

--Lydia Sigourney.

Educate children without religion, and you make a race of clever devils.

--Duke of Wellington.

Remember his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

--1 Chronicles 16. 15.

O Lord of wisdom, kindle me with a love for true knowledge, that I may strive, in the moments I have now, to culture my life. Not by might, not by power, but by thy spirit, O Lord, may I learn and teach thy children. Amen.

SEPTEMBER SECOND

John Howard born 1726.

Henry George born 1839.

George R. Sims born 1842.

Eugene Field born 1850.

Newell Dwight Hillis born 1858.

And thus we sat in darkness, Each one busy in his prayer; "We are lost!" the captain shouted, As he staggered down the stair.

But the little daughter whispered, As she took his icy hand, "Isn't G.o.d upon the ocean, Just the same as on the land?"

--Eugene Field.

Happiness is through helpfulness. Every morning let us build a booth to shelter some one from life's fierce heat. Every noon let us dig some life-spring for thirsty lips.

--Newell Dwight Hillis.

Jehovah is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon, him in truth.

--Psalm 145. 18.

Heavenly Father, may I live that my spirit may never feel lost from thee; and when I am in great need of thee, even unto death, may I know that thou art very near. Amen.