Be urgent in season, out of season.

    —­2 Timothy 4. 2.

My Lord, my life makes me conscious of weakness, and my memory brings regret; forgive me for the lost strength I neglected to develop.  In thy compassion encourage me to be more watchful of my power, that I may usefully increase it, and not willfully deplete it.  May I learn the need of constancy in well-doing.  Amen.

MAY SEVENTEENTH

Heloise died 1163.

Matthew Parker died 1575.

Edwin Jenner born 1749.

    The weakest among us has a gift, however seemingly trivial, which is
    peculiar to him, and which worthily used, will be a gift to his race
    forever.

    —­John Ruskin.

      Not in entire forgetfulness,
      And not in utter nakedness,
    But trailing clouds of glory do we come
      From God who is our home.

    —­William Wordsworth.

    A weak mind sinks under prosperity as well as under adversity.  A
    strong and deep mind has two highest tides—­when the moon is at
    full, and when there is no moon.

    —­Julius Hare.

    Thou hast granted me life and lovingkindness; And thy visitation
    hath preserved my spirit.

    —­Job 10. 12.

Almighty God, I pray that I may have a true appreciation of the quality of life.  Reveal to me my responsibilities and help me to make them my opportunities.  Keep me in search of thoughts and deeds that will increase the delight of my soul.  Amen.

MAY EIGHTEENTH

Francis Mahony (Father Prout) died 1866.

Mrs. Johnson (Stella) born 1735.

John Wilson (Christopher North) born 1785.

    Longing is God’s fresh heavenward will,
      With our poor earthly striving;
    We quench it, that we may be still
      Content with merely living.

    But would we learn that heart’s full scope
      Which we are hourly wronging,
    Our lives must climb from hope to hope,
      And realize our longing.

    —­James Russell Lowell.

    Pretexts are not wanted when one wishes a thing.

    —­Goldoni.

Friendship is for all aid and comfort through all the relations of life and death—­for serene days and graceful gifts and country rambles; but also for rough roads, and hard fare, shipwreck, poverty, and persecution.

    —­Ralph Waldo Emerson.

    Strive to enter in by the narrow door.

    —­Luke 13. 24.

Eternal God, I pray that thou wilt graciously restore my spirits if I may have settled into despondency over my disappointments.  May I have the will to rise above them, and patiently strive for renewed hope.  Amen.

MAY NINETEENTH