Lord God, direct me away from self, that I may learn of thy wisdom, and help further thy kingdom.  Give me patience to search for thy truths, that I may obtain the noblest to use for thy service.  Amen.

JULY SIXTH

John Huss burned at Constance, Baden, 1369.

Baron Wilhelm Leibnitz born 1646.

John Paul Jones born 1747.

John Flaxman born 1755.

No man likes to acknowledge that he has made a mistake in the choice of his profession, and every man worthy of the name will row long against wind and tide before he allows himself to cry out, “I’m baffled!” and submit to be floated passively back to land.

    —­Charlotte Bronte.

    There is nothing so small but that we honor God by asking his
    guidance of it, or insult him by taking it into our hands.

    —­John Ruskin.

    If I take the wings of the morning,
    And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
    Even there shall thy hand lead me,
    And thy right hand shall hold me.

    —­Psalm 139. 9, 10.

My Father, I pray that I may have wise judgment and use discretion in the choice of my work.  May I remember that only that is genuine which is received and used for thee.  Amen.

JULY SEVENTH

Alexis, son of Peter the Great, died in prison 1718.

Thomas Blacklock died 1791.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan died 1816.

    The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed.

    —­Richard B. Sheridan.

    I felt my hot blood a-tingling flow;
    With thrill of the fight my soul did glow;
      And when, braced and pure,
      I emerged secure
    From the strife that had tried my courage so,
      I said, “Let heaven send me sun or rain,
      I’ll never know flinching fear again.”

    —­Thomas Crawford.

    For the Lord Jehovah will help me; therefore have I not been
    confounded:  therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know
    that I shall not be put to shame.

    —­Isaiah 50. 7.

Lord Jehovah, help me to learn how to be strong and brave, that I may not remain in fear and weakness.  Help me to conquer unworthiness, and to overcome discouragements, that I may be spared the needless battles that are brought on through impatience and selfishness.  Keep my soul in repose, that I may add to my conquering strength.  Amen.

JULY EIGHTH

Jean de La Fontaine born 1621.

Dr. Samuel D. Gross born 1805.

Joseph Chamberlain born 1836.

    Neither gold nor grandeur can render us happy.

    —­La Fontaine.

    Spirit of God! descend upon my heart;
      Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;
    Stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art,
      And make me love thee as I ought to love.