—­Thomas Macaulay.

    Nature is the face of God.  He appears to us through it, and we can
    read his thoughts in it.

    —­Victor Hugo.

    Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works
      which thou hast done,
    And thy thoughts which are to us-ward.

    —­Psalm 40. 5.

Eternal God, I thank thee for the seasons which bring abundance and beauty.  I thank thee for thy loving care, which is over all and forever.  May I behold thy works and make thee a very present help for all my needs, and perceive the joy of thy love through the greatness of the earth.  Amen.

APRIL FIFTEENTH

Emile Souvestre born 1806.

John Lothrop Motley born 1814.

Henry James born 1843.

Abraham Lincoln died 1865.

    Two thirds of human existence are wasted in hesitation, and the last
    third in repentance.

    —­Emile Souvestre.

    And, having thus chosen our course, let us renew our trust in God
    and go forward without fear and with manly hearts.

    —­Abraham Lincoln.

    The barriers are not erected which shall say to aspiring talent,
    “Thus far and no further.”

    —­Beethoven.

    Be strong and of good courage.

    —­Joshua 1. 6.

Almighty God, I pray that I may always be alive to my opportunities, but may I never leave others impoverished by taking advantage of them.  May my prosperity be conducted with my eyes open, guarding what I give and receive, that my possessions may remain valuable through life.  Amen.

APRIL SIXTEENTH

Charles Montagu, Earl of Halifax, born 1661.

Charles W. Peale born 1741.

Sir John Franklin born 1786.

    Weary of myself and sick of asking
      What I am, and what I ought to be,
    At the vessel’s prow I stand, which bears me
      Forward, forward, o’er the starlit sea

    O air-born voice! long since severely clear,
    A cry like thine in my own heart I hear. 
    Resolve to be thyself:  and know that he
    Who finds himself, loses his misery.

    —­Matthew Arnold.

    This above all to thine own self be true,
    And it must follow, as the night the day,
    Thou can’st not then be false to any man.

    —­William Shakespeare.

    Let thine eyes look right on,
    And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 
    Make level the path of thy feet,
    And let all thy ways be established.

    —­Proverbs 4. 25, 26.

My Father, give me a sense of nearness to thee when I may be faltering from weariness in well doing.  May I hold to my determinations.  Help me to know what is useless, that I may not give unnecessary energy, and to know what is worth while, that I may acquire strength through the power of truth.  Amen.