He speaks not well who doth his time deplore, Naming it new and a little obscure, Ign.o.ble and unfit for lofty deeds.

All times were modern in the time of them, And this no more than others. Do thy part Here in the living day, as did the great Who made old days immortal.

--Richard Watson Gilder.

He who is false to present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and will find the flaw when he may have forgotten the cause.

--Henry Ward Beecher.

For use almost can change the stamp of nature, And master the devil, or throw him out With wondrous potency.

--William Shakespeare.

And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem;) and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his G.o.d, as he did aforetime.

--Daniel 6. 10.

Heavenly Father, help me to get away from doubt that leads to despair.

Give me a vision of hope that is stayed on faith. May I be conscious and appreciative of my privileges while they come to me and make them immortal. Amen.

OCTOBER SECOND

Aristotle died B.C. 322.

Major John Andre hanged 1780.

William Ellery Channing died 1842.

I am not earth-born, though I here delay; Hope's child, I summon infiniter powers, And laugh to see the mild sunny day Smile on the shrunk and thin autumnal hours; I laugh, for hope hath a happy place for me-- If my bark sinks, 'tis to another sea.

--William E. Channing.

The stars shall fade away, the sun himself Grow dim with age, and Nature sink in years; But thou shall flourish in immortal youth, Unhurt amidst the war of elements, The wreck of matter and the crush of worlds.

--Thomas Addison.

For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light.

--Psalm 36. 9.

My Father, I would pray that my sense of gloom may not be more than thy grace. May the glorious light of thy love break through my disheartened soul, and reveal the sincerity of thy promises, that I may be happy in thy care. Amen.

OCTOBER THIRD

Robert Barclay died 1690.

George Bancroft born 1800.

William Morris died 1896.

Come hither, lads, and harken, For a tale there is to tell Of the wonderful days a-coming, When all shall be better than well.

Come, then, let us cast off fooling, And put by ease and rest, For the cause alone is worthy Till the good days bring the best.

--William Morris.

Man's life is but a working day Whose tasks are set aright; A time to work, a time to pray, And then a quiet night.

And then, please G.o.d, a quiet night Where palms are green and robes are white; A long-drawn breath, a balm for sorrow, And all things lovely on the morrow.

--Christina G. Rossetti.

And the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.

--Isaiah 61. 11.

Heavenly Father, help me to see that before the night thou hadst planned the morning, and that thou hast never sent the night without the hope of the morning. Before I rest in the night may I be ready for the morning. Amen.

OCTOBER FOURTH

Francis of a.s.sisi died 1226.

Edmund Malone born 1741.

Francois Guizot born 1787.

Jean Francois Millet born 1814.

Rutherford B. Hayes, Ohio, nineteenth President United States, born 1822.

M.E. Braddon born 1837.

We ought to rise day by day with a certain zest, a clear intention, a design to make the most of every hour; not to let the busy hours shoulder each other or tread on each other's heels, but to force every action to give up its strength and sweetness. There is work to be done, and there are empty hours to be filled as well.... But, most of all, there must be something to quicken, enliven, practice the soul.

--Arthur C. Benson.

Men's souls ought to be left to see clearly; not jaundiced, blinded, twisted all awry, by revenge, moral abhorrence, and the like.

--Thomas Carlyle.

But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.