Part 4 (1/2)

E. B. PUSEY.

That which is called considering what is our duty in a particular case, is very often nothing but endeavoring to explain it away.

JOSEPH BUTLER.

January 23

_If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday; and the Lord shall guide thee continually_.--ISA. lviii. 10, 11.

If thou hast Yesterday thy duty done, And thereby cleared firm footing for To-day, Whatever clouds make dark To-morrow's sun, Thou shall not miss thy solitary way.

J. W. VON GOETHE.

O Lord, who art our Guide even unto death, grant us, I pray Thee, grace to follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest. In little daily duties to which Thou callest us, bow down our wills to simple obedience, patience under pain or provocation, strict truthfulness of word and manner, humility, kindness; in great acts of duty or perfection, if Thou shouldest call us to them, uplift us to self-sacrifice, heroic courage, laying down of life for Thy truth's sake, or for a brother. Amen.

C. G. ROSSETTI.

January 24

_I will bless the Lord, who bath given me counsel_.--PS. xvi. 7.

_Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord_.--ROM. xii.

11.

Mine be the reverent, listening love That waits all day on Thee, With the service of a watchful heart Which no one else can see.

A. L. WARING.

Nothing is small or great in G.o.d's sight; whatever He wills becomes great to us, however seemingly trifling, and if once the voice of conscience tells us that He requires anything of us, we have no right to measure its importance. On the other hand, whatever He would not have us do, however important we may think it, is as nought to us.

How do you know what you may lose by neglecting this duty, which you think so trifling, or the blessing which its faithful performance may bring? Be sure that if you do your very best in that which is laid upon you daily, you will not be left without sufficient help when some weightier occasion arises. Give yourself to Him, trust Him, fix your eye upon Him, listen to His voice, and then go on bravely and cheerfully.

JEAN NICOLAS GROU.

January 25

_If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them_.--JOHN xiii. 17.

_Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin_.--JAMES iv. 17.

We cannot kindle when we will The fire that in the heart resides, The spirit bloweth and is still, In mystery our soul abides: But tasks in hours of insight willed Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.

MATTHEW ARNOLD.