O may I join the choir invisible
Of those immortal dead who live again
In minds made better by their presence:  live
In pulses stirred to generosity,
In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn
For miserable aims that end with self,
In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars,
And with their mild persistence urge man’s search
To vaster issues.

              This is life to come,
    Which martyred men have made more glorious
    For us to strive to follow.  May I reach
    That purest heaven, be to other souls
    The cup of strength in some great agony,
    Enkindle generous ardor, feed pure love,
    Beget the smiles that have no cruelty,
    Be the sweet presence of a good diffused,
    And in diffusion ever more intense! 
    So shall I join the choir invisible
    Whose music is the gladness of the world.

    —­George Eliot.

    And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.

    —­John 10. 28.

My Father, I pray that I may be more generous with my smiles and gladness, and more saving with my tears and sadness.  Amen.

OCTOBER TWENTY-THIRD

Anne Oldfield died 1730.

Robert Bridges born 1844.

Mollie Elliot Seawell born 1860.

    O youth whose hope is high,
      Who doth to truth aspire,
    Whether thou live or die,
      O look not back nor tire.

    Thou that art bold to fly
      Through tempest, flood and fire,
    Nor dost not shrink to try
      Thy heart in torments dire—­

    If thou canst Death defy,
      If thy faith is entire,
    Press onward, for thine eye
      Shall see thy heart’s desire.

    —­Robert Bridges.

    Doubt indulged becomes doubt realized.  To determine to do anything
    is half the battle.  Courage is victory, timidity is defeat.

    —­Nelson.

    And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of
    their words, though briers and thorns are with thee, and thou dost
    dwell among scorpions.

    —­Ezekiel 2. 6.

Gracious Father, try me again by the courage I have to-day, if thou art judging me by the fear I held yesterday.  Help me to see that wavering is misleading and temperament is deceptive.  May I learn self-control.  Amen.

OCTOBER TWENTY-FOURTH

Hugh Capet died 996.

Sir Moses Montefiore born 1784.

Daniel Webster died 1852.

    Exceeding peace made Ben Adhem bold,
    And to the presence in the room he said,
    “What writest thou?” The vision raised its head,
    And, with a look made of all sweet accord,
    Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.” 
    “And is mine one?” said Abou.  “Nay, not so,”
    Replied the angel.  Abou spoke more low,
    But cheerily still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
    Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”