Now don’t do nothin’ which isn’t your Fort, for ef you do you’ll
    find yourself splashin’ round in the Kanawl, figgeratively speakin’.

    —­Artemus Ward.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.  And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all.

    —­1 Corinthians 12. 4-6.

Lord forbid that I should fear to change for the better or be so pleased with myself and the things which surround me that I feel no need for a higher life.  Make me dissatisfied if I am not trying to grow in truth and to live in noble deeds.  Amen.

APRIL TWENTY-SEVENTH

Samuel Morse born 1791.

Lajos Kossuth born 1802.

Herbert Spencer born 1820.

Ulysses S. Grant, Ohio, eighteenth President United
States, born 1822.

Ralph Waldo Emerson died 1882.

    People who are dishonest, or rash, or stupid will inevitably suffer
    the penalties of dishonesty, or rashness, or stupidity.

    —­Herbert Spencer.

    Abide in the simple and noble regions of thy life; obey thy heart.

    —­Ralph Waldo Emerson.

    Well, then, we must cut our way out.

    —­General Grant.

    Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to
    withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.

    —­Ephesians 6. 13.

Loving Father, help me to live a simple and noble life.  Grant that I may have the blessedness that comes through peace, and escape the misery that comes from cruelty and untruth.  Through my life may what I reap show that I have been careful in choosing and cultivating what I have sown.  Amen.

APRIL TWENTY-EIGHTH

Charles Cotton born 1630.

James Monroe, Virginia, fifth President United
States, born 1758.

Anthony Ashley, Earl of Shaftesbury, born 1801.

During a long life I have proved that not one kind word ever spoken, not one kind deed ever done, but sooner or later returns to bless the giver, and becomes a chain, binding men with golden bands to the throne of God.

    —­Earl of Shaftesbury.

    There’s many a time when the bitterest thing
      Is said without reason, and God knows
    The courage it takes to suffer the sting,
      By hiding the wounds that the heart shows.

    There’s many a sob we bravely keep down
      For the sake of old times revered so,
    There’s many a head with thorns for a crown
      Where kisses would soon make the heart glow.

    —­Edwin Leibfreed.

    So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul;
    If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward,
    And thy hope shall not be cut off.