James Boswell died 1795.

Johann Gottlieb Fichte born 1762.

William E. Gladstone died 1898.

    Tired!  Well, what of that? 
    Didst fancy life was spent on beds of ease,
    Fluttering the rose-leaves scattered by the breeze? 
    Come! rouse thee, work while it is called to-day! 
    Coward, arise—­go forth upon the way!

    Lonely!  And what of that? 
    Some one must be lonely; ’tis not given to all
    To feel a heart responsive rise and fall,
    To blend another life into its own;
    Work may be done in loneliness; work on.

    Dark!  Well, what of that? 
    Didst fondly dream the sun would never set? 
    Dost fear to lose thy way?  Take courage yet,
    Learn thou to walk by faith and not by sight,
    Thy steps will be guided, and guided right.

    —­Unknown.

    And let us not be weary in well-doing:  for in due season we shall
    reap, if we faint not.

    —­Galatians 6. 9.

My Father, if thou wert far off I could not reach thee in time, for I falter so much and need thee so often.  I pray that thou wilt keep so near that I can feel thy love and strength breathing within me.  Amen.

MAY TWENTIETH

Elizabeth G. Fry born 1780.

John Stuart Mill born 1806.

Alfred Domett born 1811.

Rudolf H. Lotze born 1817.

Marquis de Lafayette died 1834.

Nature has written a letter of credit upon some men’s faces which is honored wherever presented.  You cannot help trusting such men; their very presence gives confidence.  There is a “promise to pay” in their faces which gives confidence, and you prefer it to another man’s indorsement.  Character is credit.

    —­William M. Thackeray.

Henry Drummond has told us how in the heart of Africa he came across men and women who remembered the only white man they ever saw before—­David Livingstone; and as you cross his footsteps in the dark continent men’s faces light up as they speak of the kind doctor who passed there years ago.  They could not understand him; but they felt the love that beat in his heart.

    Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good
    life his works in meekness of wisdom.

    —­James 3. 13.

My Lord, inspire me with kind words and thoughtful deeds, that I may share the yearnings and sympathy of others.  May my life show that I am dependable, and may none be left lonely to-day because of my forgetfulness.  Amen.

MAY TWENTY-FIRST

Albrecht Duerer born 1471.

Fernando de Soto died 1542.

Alexander Pope born 1688.

    Self-love but serves the virtuous mind to wake
    As the small pebble stirs the peaceful lake;
    The center moved, a circle straight succeeds,
    Another still, and still another spreads;
    Friend, parent, neighbor, first it will embrace,
    Its country next, and next, the human race.