—­John Greenleaf Whittier.

    Shall two walk together, except they have agreed?

    —­Amos 3. 3.

Lord God, 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 godly 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 God, 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.