Behold, this only have I found:  that God made man upright; but they
    have sought out many inventions.

    —­Ecclesiastes 7. 29.

My Father, help me to speak the truth and guard the truth, that righteousness may be an abiding influence in my life.  Amen.

NOVEMBER EIGHTH

Edmund Halley born 1656.

John Milton died 1674.

Owen Meredith (Bulwer Edward Lytton) born 1831.

    The morning drum-call on my eager ear
    Thrills unforgotten yet! the morning dew
    Lies yet undried along my field of noon. 
    But now I pause a while in what I do,
    And count the bell, and tremble lest I hear
    (My work untrimmed) the sunset gun too soon.

    —­Robert Louis Stevenson.

      I fear
    Life’s many changes, not Death’s changelessness. 
    So perfect is this moment’s passing cheer,
    I needs must tremble lest it pass to less. 
    Thus in fickle love of life I live,
    Lest fickle life me of my love deprive.

    —­Owen Meredith.

    And Jehovah said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore art thou thus
    fallen upon thy face?

    Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against
    to-morrow.

    —­Joshua 7. 10, 13.

Almighty God, help me in these fleeting days that I may not use my time to consider and hesitate, but be positive in my desires and pursue them.  Grant that I may have the strength to hold each day precious, and live it more than consistently.  Amen.

NOVEMBER NINTH

Mark Akenside born 1721.

William Sotheby born 1757.

Charles F. Thwing born 1853.

    The victor’s road is the easy way. 
      Straight it stretches and climbs to where
    Fame is waiting with garlands gay
      To wreathe the fighter who clambers there. 
    There’s applause in plenty and gold’s red gleam
    For the man who plays on the winning team.

    The loser travels a longer lane;
      Level it leads to a lonely land. 
    There’s little glory for him to gain
      The voices mock him on either hand;
    But the man who wins in the greater game
    Is the man who, beaten, fights on the same.

    —­G.  Rice.

    The hero is not fed on sweets,
    Daily his own heart he eats;
    Chambers of the great are jails,
    And head-winds right for royal sails.

    —­Ralph Waldo Emerson.

    He thanked God, and took courage.

    —­Acts 28. 15.

O Lord, I pray that whether I may be successful in the sight of the world, or whether I may be successful in my own sacrifices, I may have the freedom of courage, and be master of my life.  Amen.

NOVEMBER TENTH