Part 8 (1/2)

H. BONAR.

O Lord, Thou knowest what is best for us; let this or that be done, as Thou shalt please. Give what Thou wilt, and how much Thou wilt, and when Thou wilt. Deal with me as Thou thinkest good. Set me where Thou wilt, and deal with me in all things just as Thou wilt. Behold, I am Thy servant, prepared for all things: for I desire not to live unto myself, but unto Thee; and oh, that I could do it worthily and perfectly!

THOMAS a KEMPIS.

Dare to look up to G.o.d, and say, ”Make use of me for the future as Thou wilt. I am of the same mind; I am one with Thee. I refuse nothing which seems good to Thee. Lead me whither Thou wilt, clothe me in whatever dress Thou wilt. Is it Thy will that I should be in a public or a private condition, dwell here, or be banished, be poor or rich? Under all these circ.u.mstances, I will testify unto Thee before men.”

EPICTETUS.

February 14

_I would have you without carefulness_.--I COR. vii. 32.

O Lord, how happy should we be If we could cast our care on Thee, If we from self could rest; And feel at heart that One above, In perfect wisdom, perfect love, Is working for the best.

J. ANSTICE.

Cast all thy care on G.o.d. See that all thy cares be such as thou canst cast on G.o.d, and then hold none back. Never brood over thyself; never stop short in thyself; but cast thy whole self, even this very care which distresseth thee, upon G.o.d. Be not anxious about little things, if thou wouldst learn to trust G.o.d with thine all. Act upon faith in little things; commit thy daily cares and anxieties to Him; and He will strengthen thy faith for any greater trials. Rather, give thy whole self into G.o.d's hands, and so trust Him to take care of thee in all lesser things, as being His, for His own sake, whose thou art.

E. B. PUSEY.

February 15

_If ye fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well_.--JAMES ii. 8.

Come, children, let us go!

We travel hand in hand; Each in his brother finds his joy In this wild stranger land.

The strong be quick to raise The weaker when they fall; Let love and peace and patience bloom In ready help for all.

G. TERSTEEGEN.

It is a sad weakness in us, after all, that the thought of a man's death hallows him anew to us; as if life were not sacred too,--as if it were comparatively a light thing to fail in love and reverence to the brother who has to climb the whole toilsome steep with us, and all our tears and tenderness were due to the one who is spared that hard journey.

GEORGE ELIOT.

Would we codify the laws that should reign in households, and whose daily transgression annoys and mortifies us, and degrades our household life,--we must learn to adorn every day with sacrifices. Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices. Temperance, courage, love, are made up of the same jewels. Listen to every prompting of honor.

R. W. EMERSON.

February 16

_Serve Him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind_.--I CHRON.