Part 6 (1/2)

_Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men_.--I THESS. v.

14.

The little worries which we meet each day May lie as stumbling-blocks across our way, Or we may make them stepping-stones to be Of grace, O Lord, to Thee.

A. E. HAMILITON.

We must be continually sacrificing our own wills, as opportunity serves, to the will of others; bearing, without notice, sights and sounds that annoy us; setting about this or that task, when we had far rather be doing something very different; persevering in it, often, when we are thoroughly tired of it; keeping company for duty's sake, when it would be a great joy to us to be by ourselves; besides all the trifling untoward accidents of life; bodily pain and weakness long continued, and perplexing us often when it does not amount to illness; losing what we value, missing what we desire; disappointment in other persons, wilfulness, unkindness, ingrat.i.tude, folly, in cases where we least expect it.

J. KEBLE.

February 3

_Search me, O G.o.d, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting_.--PS.

cx.x.xix. 23, 24.

Save us from the evil tongue, From the heart that thinketh wrong, From the sins, whate'er they be, That divide the soul from Thee.

ANON.

Such as are thy habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of thy mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts. Dye it then with a continuous series of such thoughts as these: for instance, that where a man can live, there he can also live well. But he must live in a palace: well, then, he can also live well in a palace.

MARCUS ANTONINUS.

Who is there that sets himself to the task of steadily watching his thoughts for the s.p.a.ce of one hour, with the view of preserving his mind in a simple, humble, healthful condition, but will speedily discern in the multiform, self-reflecting, self-admiring emotions, which, like locusts, are ready to ”eat up every green thing in his land,” a state as much opposed to simplicity and humility as night is to day?

M. A. KELTY.

February 4

_If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body_.--JAMES iii. 2

_Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips_.--PS.

cxli. 3.

What! never speak one evil word, Or rash, or idle, or unkind!

Oh, how shall I, most gracious Lord, This mark of true perfection find?

C. WESLEY.

When we remember our temptations to give quick indulgence to disappointment or irritation or unsympathizing weariness, and how hard a thing it is from day to day to meet our fellow-men, our neighbors, or even our own households, in all moods, in all discordances between the world without us and the frames within, in all states of health, of solicitude, of preoccupation, and show no signs of impatience, ungentleness, or un.o.bservant self-absorption,--with only kindly feeling finding expression, and ungenial feeling at least inwardly imprisoned;--we shall be ready to acknowledge that the man who has thus attained is master of himself, and in the graciousness of his power is fas.h.i.+oned upon the style of a Perfect Man.