—­Nathaniel Hawthorne.

    We trust the Lord in faith serene,
      A ladder he hath given;
    The lower rounds in earth are seen,
      The higher reach to heaven.

    —­Thomas Brevior.

    Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment?

    —­Matthew 6. 25.

Almighty God, I bless thee for the privilege of a great life.  May I not be satisfied to rest with idle hands in youth and make age regretful because I have lived a useless life:  but with a clear eye and an exalted mind may I choose the “durable satisfactions” that may be mine.  Amen.

MAY TWENTY-SEVENTH

Alighieri Dante born 1265.

John Calvin died 1564.

Julia Ward Howe born 1819.

Noah Webster died 1843.

John Kendrick Bangs born 1862.

    To your judgments give ye not the reins
    With too much eagerness, like him who ere
    The corn be ripe, is fain to count the grains: 
    For I have seen the briar through the winter snows
    Look sharp and stiff—­yet on a future day
    High on its summit bear the tender rose: 
      And ship I’ve seen, that through the storm hath passed,
    Securely bounding o’er the watery way,
      At entrance of the harbor wrecked at last.

    —­Dante, translated by Wright.

    In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
    With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me: 
    As he died to make men holy, let us die to make them free,
      While God is marching on.

    —­Julia Ward Howe.

    Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart,
    And lean not upon thine own understanding.

    —­Proverbs 3. 5.

Lord God, help me to know my ability, that I may not attempt with weakness that which requires strength to undertake; and make me stable that I may not relax vigilance even though victory seems assured.  Amen.

MAY TWENTY-EIGHTH

William Pitt born 1759.

Thomas Moore born 1779.

Louis Agassiz born 1807.

    The bird let loose in eastern skies,
      When hastening fondly home,
    Ne’er stoops to earth her wing, nor flies
      Where idle warblers roam;
    But high she shoots through air and light,
      Above all low delay,
    Where nothing earthly bounds her flight,
      Nor shadow dims her way.

    —­Thomas Moore.

    Remember, the essence of religion is, a heart void of offense toward
    God and man; not subtle speculative opinions, but an active
    principle of faith.

    —­William Pitt.

    And hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been
    shed abroad in our hearts.

    —­Romans 5. 5.