And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.

    —­Hebrews 10. 24.

My Father, I thank thee for life.  Make me sensitive to the unseen influences that bring thy messages.  May I be led where great riches may be found through small kindnesses, and where I may learn from the meek the beauty of earth.  Amen.

DECEMBER SIXTH

General George Monk born 1608.

Warren Hastings born 1732.

Dr. Richard Barham born 1786.

    That low man seeks a little thing to do,
      Sees it and does it: 
    This high man, with a great thing to pursue,
      Dies ere he knows it. 
    That low man goes on adding one to one,
      His hundred’s soon hit: 
    This high man, aiming at a million,
      Misses an unit. 
    That, has the world here—­should he need the next,
      Let the world mind him! 
    This, throws himself on God, and unperplexed
      Seeking shall find him.

    —­Robert Browning.

    Hitch your wagon to a star.

    —­Ralph Waldo Emerson.

    When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy
    face, Jehovah, will I seek.

    —­Psalm 27. 8.

Almighty God, show me what thou hast given for me to do, that I may not leave undone that which is mine.  Forgive me for useless planning and blind asking for the things which cannot be mine.  I pray that my work may be honest work, well done, and acceptable for thy service.  Amen.

DECEMBER SEVENTH

Cicero assassinated B.C. 43.

John Dalton born 1766.

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, born 1542.

It is virtue—­yes, let me repeat it again—­it is virtue alone that can give birth, strength, and permanency to friendship.  For virtue is a uniform and steady principle ever acting consistently with itself.

    —­Cicero.

    A common friendship—­who talks of a common friendship?  There is no
    such thing in the world.  On earth no word is more sublime.

    —­Henry Drummond.

    But thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely lend
    him sufficient for his need.

    —­Deuteronomy 15. 8.

Lord God, wilt thou reveal to me my weakness if I may be insincere; and give me the strength that I lack to keep me true.  May I not take advantage of the ignorant, or thoughtlessly lead the innocent into temptation.  Grant that I may be a trustful and kind friend.  Amen.

DECEMBER EIGHTH

John Pym died 1643.

Richard Baxter died 1691.

Thomas De Quincey died 1859.

Elihu Burritt born 1810.

Robert Collyer born 1823.