A man’s pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit
    shall obtain honor.

    —­Proverbs 29. 23.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I may not let pride keep me down when it may be mine to be carried to the heights.  With tenderness take me out of myself, that I may see how pride deceives, and destroys an humble spirit.  Help me to master both stubbornness and pride.  Amen.

FEBRUARY TWENTY-SIXTH

Christopher Marlowe (baptized 1564).

Victor Hugo born 1802.

Lord Cromer born 1841.

Thomas Moore died 1852.

When I go down to the grave I can say, like so many others, I have finished my work; but I cannot say I have finished my life; my day’s work will begin again the next morning.  My tomb is not a blind alley; it is a thoroughfare.  It closes in the twilight to open in the dawn.

    —­Victor Hugo.

    There’s nothing bright above, below,
    From flowers that bloom to stars that glow,
    But in the light my soul can see
    Some feature of the Deity.

    There’s nothing dark below, above,
    But in its gloom I trace God’s love,
    And meekly wait that moment when
    His truth shall turn all bright again.

    —­Thomas Moore.

    Jehovah redeemeth the soul of his servants;
    And none of them that take refuge in him shall be
    condemned.

    —­Psalm 34. 22.

Lord God, may I not only feel the need of thee when I am burdened with sorrow and care, but may I have need of thee in my pleasures and joys.  I thank thee for thy gracious kindness, thy mercy and thy protection.  Amen.

FEBRUARY TWENTY-SEVENTH

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow born 1807.

Ellen Terry born 1848.

Mary F. Robinson born 1857.

    Lives of great men all remind us
      We can make our lives sublime,
    And, departing, leave behind us
      Footprints on the sands of time—­

    Footprints that perhaps another,
      Sailing o’er life’s wintry main,
    A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
      Seeing, shall take heart again.

    —­Henry W. Longfellow.

    They are slaves who fear to speak
    For the fallen and the weak;
    They are slaves who will not choose
    Hatred, scoffing, and abuse,
    Rather than in silence shrink
    From the truth they needs must think;
    They are slaves who dare not be
    In the right with two or three.

    —­James Russell Lowell.

    Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good
    works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

    —­Matthew 5. 16.

Merciful Father, help me to know that my shadow cannot fall without me, and that my footprints cannot be found where I have never trodden.  I pray that thou wilt make me so familiar with the right path that it may be mine to have the privilege of leading others to the right places.  Amen.