—­Proverbs 17. 17.

Gracious Father of us all, if I may have cause to be provoked to-day, help me to rise above my angry passions, and not from weakness plunge into that for which I may be sorry.  Make me self-forgetful, that I may be willing to make peace with those whom I may have displeased.  Amen.

JULY THIRTIETH

Samuel Rogers born 1763.

Thomas Gray died 1771.

W.T.  Adams (Oliver Optic) born 1822.

Prince Bismarck died 1898.

    Sit down, sad soul, and count
      The moments flying;
    Come, tell the sweet amount
      That’s lost by sighing! 
    How many smiles?—­a score? 
    Then laugh, and count no more;
      For day is dying.

    Lie down sad soul, and sleep,
      And no more measure
    The flight of time, nor weep
      The loss of leisure;
    But here by this lone stream,
    Lie down with us, and dream
      Of starry treasure.

    Bryan Waller Procter.

    The only thing grief has taught me is to know how shallow it is. 
    Grief will not carry you one step into real nature; grief can teach
    me nothing.

    —­Ralph Waldo Emerson.

    Leave off, ye simple ones, and live;
    And walk in the way of understanding.

    —­Proverbs 9. 6.

God of love, may I come quickly to thee, when I am in need of protection and sympathy.  Guard me against sorrow that is drawn from the imagination.  May I not allow grief to drag me into misery, but with strength and courage may I find happiness in thy daily will.  Amen.

JULY THIRTY-FIRST

John Conybeare died 1775.

John Ericsson born 1803.

Paul B. Du Chaillu born 1835.

Phoebe Cary died 1871.

    Be wise to-day; ’tis madness to defer;
    Next day the fatal precedent will plead;
    Thus on, till wisdom is pushed out of life. 
    Procrastination is the thief of time;
    Year after year it steals, till all are fled,
    And to the mercies of a moment leaves
    The vast concerns of an eternal scene.

    —­Dr. Edward Young.

    O, my friend, rise up and follow
      Where the hand of God shall lead;
    He has brought thee through affliction,
      But to fit thee for his need.

    —­Mary Howitt.

    For he is our God,
    And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. 
    To-day, O that ye would hear his voice! 
    Harden not your heart.

    —­Psalm 95. 7, 8.

Lord God, I come to thee for help, that I may make more of my life.  Steady me, that I may know its value without wavering, and the loss it sustains from wasted days.  I pray that I may live more in thy commandments, and with my work accept the joy of thy love.  Amen.