APRIL SEVENTEENTH

Bishop Benjamin Hoadley died 1761.

Benjamin Franklin died 1790.

William G. Simms born 1806.

    Shall I ask the brave soldier who fights at my side,
       In the cause of mankind, if our creeds agree? 
    Shall I give up the friend I have valued and tried,
       If he kneel not before the same altar as me?

    —­Thomas Moore.

    I met a little Elf-man once,
       Down where the lilies blow. 
    I asked him why he was so small
       And why he didn’t grow.

    He slightly frowned, and with his eye
       He looked me through and through. 
    “I’m quite as big for me,” said he
       “As you are big for you.”

    —­John Kendrick Bangs.

    Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their
    own sight!

    —­Isaiah 5. 21.

Loving Father, grant that I may not barter love with formalities, nor sacrifice love for customs.  But, may I have a fellowship that is true and sincere, and that may be counted on, though all and for all.  Amen.

APRIL EIGHTEENTH

Lord Jeffreys died 1689.

George Henry Lewes born 1817.

Sir Francis Baring born 1740.

    Nor can I count him happiest who has never
    Been forced with his own hand his chains to sever,
       And for himself find out the way divine;
    He never knew the aspirer’s glorious pains,
    He never earned the struggler’s priceless gains.

    —­James Russell Lowell.

    There is not time for hate, O wasteful friend. 
    Put hate away until the ages end. 
    Have you an ancient wound?  Forget the wrong—­
    Out in my West a forest loud with song
    Towers high and green over a field of snow,
    Over a glacier buried far below.

    —­Edwin Markham.

    Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal,
    whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in
    the sight of many witnesses.

    —­1 Timothy 6. 12.

Lord God, help me to realize the power of my life.  I feel ashamed and alarmed when I think of the grievous wrongs I may have done for greed.  May I have delight in the struggles I have made for the ways of righteousness.  Make me careful to avoid the things that debase life.  May I aspire for the highest and best.  Amen.

APRIL NINETEENTH

Roger Sherman born 1721.

Lord Byron died 1824.

Lord Beaconsfield (Disraeli) died 1881.

Charles Darwin died 1882.

    The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his
    opportunity when it comes. —­Disraeli.