—­Micah 4. 4.

Eternal God, may I look to the Pilgrims and learn that to pray by faith with the heart is not to pray by faith of the imagination.  Help me to pray, and have faith to struggle for that which I would rightfully have.  Amen.

SEPTEMBER TWENTY-SIXTH

Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood born 1750.

Dr. Mary Walker born 1832.

Irving Bacheller born 1859.

Frederic William Faber died 1863.

    God is never so far off as even to be near—­
    He is within:  Our spirit is the home he holds most dear. 
    To think of him as by our side is almost as untrue
    As to remove his throne beyond the starry blue.

    —­F.W.  Faber.

    Nearer, my God, to thee,
      Nearer to thee! 
    E’en though it be a cross
      That raiseth me;
    Still all my song shall be—­
    Nearer, my God, to thee,
      Nearer to thee!

    —­Sarah F. Adams.

    My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go:  My heart shall
    not reproach me so long as I live.

    —­Job 27. 6.

My Father, may I consider the place in which I stand:  and may I not be deceived in thinking I am near thee while I am living far away.  Teach me the way to draw nearer to thee each day, until my spirit may continually dwell with thee.  Amen.

SEPTEMBER TWENTY-SEVENTH

George Cruikshank born 1792.

Samuel Francis Dupont born 1803.

Aime Millet born 1819.

Henri Frederic Arniel born 1821.

    The man who has no refuge in himself, who lives, so to speak, in his
    front rooms, in the outer whirlwind of things and opinions, is not
    properly a personality at all; ... he is one of a crowd.

    —­Amiel.

    Happy the heart that keeps its twilight hour,
    And in the depths of heavenly peace reclined,
    Loves to commune with thoughts of tender power—­
    Thoughts that ascend, like angels beautiful.

    —­Paul Hamilton Hayne.

The art of meditation may be exercised at all hours and in all places; and men of genius in their walks, at table, and amidst assemblies, turning the eye of the mind inward, can form an artificial solitude; retired amidst a crowd, calm amidst distractions, and wise amidst folly.

    —­Disraeli.

    Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.

    —­Psalm 4. 4.

Heavenly Father, save me from being so poor in spirit, that I will have to be sustained by the bright spirits of others.  May I be continually refreshed by the spirit of life that may be found at all times.  Amen.

SEPTEMBER TWENTY-EIGHTH

Francis Turner Palgrave born 1824.