—­Mrs. Felicia Hemans.

Every one must recognize the splendid work which has been done by women in social and educational fields.  And it will, I believe, come more and more to be recognized that in some respects women are specially fitted for government and for official-municipal life.

    —­Sir Oliver Lodge.

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, she judged Israel at that time.  And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill-country of Ephraim:  and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

    —­Judges 4. 4, 5.

My Father, help me to be thoughtful and just.  May I consider the great truths and broader visions that may not be seen from where I stand.  May I be willing to accept a better view.  Grant that I may realize that the battle of life is not a sham battle, but a struggle for the advancement of life.  Amen.

JANUARY SEVENTH

General Putnam born 1718.

Robert Nicholl born 1814.

T. DeWitt Talmage born 1832.

    Opportunities fly in a straight line, touch us but once and never
    return, but the wrongs we do others fly in a circle; they come back
    from the place they started.

    —­T.  DeWitt Talmage.

    Our share of night to bear,
      Our share of morning,
    Our blank is bliss to fill,
      Our blank is scorning.

    Here a star, and there a star,
      Some lose their way,
    Here a mist, and there a mist,
      Afterwards—­day!

    —­Emily Dickinson.

    Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your resting-place.

    —­Micah 2. 10.

Lord God, give me the desire to be persistent in service, while I have health and strength.  May I experience the sweetness that comes in doing the thing that I ought to have done, as well as that in which I took the most pleasure.  Help me to so live that my days may be useful, and be recalled with bright and happy recollections.  Amen.

JANUARY EIGHTH

John Earl of Stair died 1707.

Sir William Draper died 1787.

Alfred Russel Wallace born 1823.

William Wilkie Collins born 1824.

Sir Laurence Alma-Tadema born 1836.

        A blue bird built his nest
        Here in my breast. 
    “O bird of Light!  Whence comest thou?”
        Said he, “From God above: 
        My name is Love.”

        A mate he brought one day,
        Of plumage gray. 
    “O bird of Night!  Why comest thou?”
        Said she:  “Seek no relief! 
        My name is Grief.”

    —­Laurence Alma-Tadema.

    It is not so much resolution as renunciation, not so much courage as
    resignation, that we need.  He that has once yielded thoroughly to
    God will yield to nothing but God.