He that of such a height hath built his mind,
    And reared the dwelling of his thoughts so strong,
    As neither fear nor hope can shake the frame
    Of his resolved powers; nor all the wind
    Of vanity or malice pierce to wrong
    His settled peace, or to disturb the same: 
    What a fair seat hath he, from whence he may
    The boundless wastes and wilds of man survey?

    —­Samuel Daniel.

    Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee;
    because he trusteth in thee.

    —­Isaiah 26. 3.

O Lord, it is not that I am ashamed to ask thee for the truth that I do not more diligently seek it, but it is because I fear the sacrifice that may follow in obtaining it.  I would that I could understand that thy strength is given in the sacrifice.  Make me braver as I seek to live in the truth.  Amen.

JULY TWENTY-THIRD

Richard Gibson died 1690.

Charlotte Cushman born 1816.

Coventry Patmore born 1823.

    I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be
      A pleasant road;
    I do not ask that thou would’st take from me
      Aught of its load.

    For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead: 
      Lead me aright—­
    Though strength should falter, and though heart should bleed—­
      Through peace to light.

    —­Adelaide A. Procter.

    O, why and whither?—­God knows all,
      I only know that he is good,
    And that whatever may befall
      Or here or there, must be the best that could.

    —­John G. Whittier.

    Lead me, O Jehovah, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies;
    Make thy way straight before my face.

    —­Psalm 5. 8.

Loving Father, may I never fail to ask for thy guidance, for thou hast promised to lead me to the cool springs while I pass through the desert places.  Help me to put myself in thy keeping and say, “Thy will be done.”  Amen.

JULY TWENTY-FOURTH

Rev. John Newton born 1725.

John P. Curran born 1750.

J.G.  Holland born 1819.

    As the winged arrow flies
      Speedily the mark to find;
    As the lightning from the skies
      Darts and leaves no trace behind;
    Swiftly thus our fleeting days
      Bear us down life’s rapid stream;
    Upward, Lord, our spirits raise;
      All below is but a dream.

    —­John Newton.

    O gentlemen! the time is short;
    To spend that shortness basely were too long,
    If life did ride upon a dial’s point,
    Still ending at the arrival of an hour.

    —­William Shakespeare.

    Jehovah, make me to know mine end,
    And the measure of my days, what it is;
    Let me know how frail I am.