Into the dusk of the East,
      Gray with the coming of night,
    This may we know at least—­
      After the night comes light! 
    Over the mariners’ graves,
      Grim in the depths below,
    Buoyantly breasting the waves,
      Into the East we go.

    On to a distant strand,
      Wonderful, far, unseen,
    On to a stranger land,
      Skimming the seas between;
    On through the days and nights,
      Hope in each sailor’s breast,
    On till the harbor lights
      Flash on the shores of rest!

    J.H.  Jowett.

    So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

    —­Psalm 107. 30.

Lord God, I pray that thou wilt provide me with thy indwelling peace.  May it keep me reconciled to the decline of years, and enable me to bear the earthly separation from those whom I love.  May I always have hope and trust in thee.  Amen.

DECEMBER NINTH

John Milton born 1608.

Sir Anthony Van Dyck died 1641.

Joel Chandler Harris born 1848.

    Doth God exact day labor, light denied? 
    I fondly ask:  but Patience, to prevent
    That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
    Either man’s work, or his own gifts; who best
    Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best; his state
    Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed,
    And post o’er land and ocean without rest;
    They also serve who only stand and wait.”

    —­John Milton.

    “‘Tain’t on’y chilluns w’at got de consate er doin’ eve’ything dey
    see yuther folks do.  Hit’s grown folks w’at oughter know better,”
    said Uncle Remus.

    —­Joel Chandler Harris.

    Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have
    grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with
    reverence and awe.

    —­Hebrews 12. 28.

My Father, teach me to select my work from that which is noble and true.  May I not mold my life in affectation or feel that I must imitate the lives of others, but grant that I may perfect my life through experiences which are worthy of increasing endeavors.  Amen.

DECEMBER TENTH

Thomas Holcroft born 1745.

Dr. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet born 1787.

Eugene Sue born 1804.

Be of good cheer.  Do not think of to-day’s failures, but of success that may come to-morrow.  You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will have a joy in overcoming obstacles—­a delight in climbing rugged paths which you would perhaps never know if you did not sometimes slip backward, if the road were always smooth and pleasant.  Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.

    —­Helen Keller.