—­Luke 24. 16.

My Father, may I be careful of getting weary and missing the best through the need of rest.  Intensify my desire for the songs and glorious ways, that I may not settle into dullness and slumber, while others pass on in the light.  I pray for a keener sense of the possessions made possible by the deeds and cares of noble men and women.  Amen.

JANUARY TWENTY-FIFTH

Robert Burns born 1759.

Lord Frederick Leighton died 1896.

Daniel Maclise born 1811.

    When ranting round in pleasure’s ring
      Religion may be blinded: 
    Or if she gie a random sting,
      It may be little minded: 
    But when on life we’re Tempest-driv’n—­
      A conscience but a canker,
    A correspondence fixed wi’ Heav’n,
      Is sure a noble anchor.

    —­Robert Burns.

    Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever;
      Do noble things, not dream them, all day long: 
    And so make life, death, and that vast forever
      One grand sweet song.

    —­Charles Kingsley.

    O Lord, by these things men live;
    And wholly therein is the life of my spirit: 
    Wherefore recover thou me, and make me to live.

    —­Isaiah 38. 16.

Gracious Father, grant that I may not be willing to spend my life for trivial needs, for thou dost measure me for what I am, and boldest me for what I lose in waste.  Be with me in my judgment of what is best, that I may make the most of my life.  Amen.

JANUARY TWENTY-SIXTH

Lord George Sackville born 1716.

Benjamin Robert Haydon born 1786.

Mary Mapes Dodge born 1838.

General Gordon (Chinese Gordon) killed 1885.

    Ave Maria! blessed be the hour,
      That time, the clime, the spot, where I so oft
    Have felt that moment in its fullest power
      Sink o’er the earth so beautiful and soft,
    While swung the deep bell in the distant tower
      Or the faint dying day-hymn stole aloft,
    And not a breath crept through the rosy air,
    And yet the forest leaves seemed stirred with
          prayer.

    —­Lord Byron.

    I am quite happy, thank God, and like Lawrence, I have tried to do
    my duty.

    —­General Gordon (just before death).

    For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly
      in his pavilion: 
    In the covert of his tabernacle will he hide me;
    He will lift me up upon a rock.

    —­Psalm 27. 5.

Heavenly Father, teach me how to breathe in the sweetness of life.  Reveal to me the life that will bring peace to the soul.  May I not be dismayed, but find the “Peace that passeth all understanding,” the perfect peace that comes from thee.  Amen.