A man’s own observation, what he finds good of, and what he finds hurt of, is the best physic to preserve health.  But it is a safer conclusion to say, “This agreeth not well with me, therefore I will not continue it”; than to say, “I find no offense of this, therefore I may use it.”  For strength of nature in youth passeth over many excesses, which are owing a man till his age.

    —­Francis Bacon.

    Though man a thinking being is defined,
    Few use the grand prerogative of mind. 
    How few think justly of the thinking few! 
    How many never think, who think they do!

    —­Jane Taylor.

    Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been
    approved, he shall receive the crown of life.

    —­James 1. 12.

Almighty God, I would learn that while thou art a forgiving Lord, nature has no mercy on them that break her laws.  Forgive me for all my neglect, and help me to see the way in which thou hast through mercy led me.  Give me the power to endure and the strength to resist temptation.  May I seek to understand thy laws, that I may not fail through ignorance.  Amen.

FEBRUARY TENTH

Rev. Henry Hart Milman born 1791.

Charles Lamb born 1775.

Sir William Napier died 1860.

    Never let the most well-intended falsehood escape your lips; for
    Heaven, which is entirely Truth, will make the seed which you have
    sown of untruth to yield miseries a thousandfold.

    —­Charles Lamb.

We cannot command veracity at will; the power of seeing and reporting truly is a form of health that has to be distinctly guarded, and as an ancient rabbi has solemnly said, “The penalty of untruth is untruth.”

    —­George Eliot.

    The bat hangs upside down and laughs at a topsy-turvy world.

    —­Unknown.

    The lip of truth shall be established for ever;
    But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

    —­Proverbs 12. 19.

Lord God, give me the will to hold to the truth and the strength to help keep the world true; and may I help others to look up and catch the truth from the purest light.  Amen.

FEBRUARY ELEVENTH

Mary, Queen of England, born 1516.

Daniel Boone born 1735.

Lydia M. Child born 1802.

Washington Gladden born 1836.

Thomas A. Edison born 1847.

    Few, in the days of early youth,
    Trusted like me in love and truth. 
    I’ve learned sad lessons from the years;
    But slowly and with many tears;
    For God made me to kindly view
    The world that I was passing through.

    And all who tempt a trusting heart
    From faith and hope to drift apart,
    May they themselves be spared the pain
    Of losing power to trust again! 
    God help us all to kindly view
    The world that we are passing through!