Part 22 (1/2)

April 30

_Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward_.--EX. xiv. 15.

_No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of G.o.d_.--LUKE ix. 62.

Be trustful, be steadfast, whatever betide thee, Only one thing do thou ask of the Lord,-- Grace to go forward wherever He guide thee, Simply believing the truth of His word.

ANON.

The soul ceases to weary itself with planning and foreseeing, giving itself up to G.o.d's Holy Spirit within, and to the teachings of His providence without. He is not forever fretting as to his progress, or looking back to see how far he is getting on; rather he goes steadily and quietly on, and makes all the more progress because it is unconscious. So he never gets troubled and discouraged; if he falls he humbles himself, but gets up at once, and goes on with renewed earnestness.

JEAN NICOLAS GROU.

May 1

_I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth_.--PS. x.x.xiv. I.

_I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvellous works_.--PS. ix. I.

Thrice blest will all our blessings be, When we can look through them to Thee; When each glad heart its tribute pays Of love and grat.i.tude and praise.

JANE COTTERILL.

That which befits us, embosomed in beauty and wonder as we are, is cheerfulness, and courage, and the endeavor to realize our aspirations.

Shall not the heart which has received so much, trust the Power by which it lives? May it not quit other leadings, and listen to the Soul that has guided it so gently, and taught it so much, secure that the future will be worthy of the past?

R. W. EMERSON.

I have experienced that the habit of taking out of the hand of our Lord every little blessing and brightness on our path, confirms us, in an especial manner, in communion with His love.

M. A. SCHIMMELPENNINCK.

May 2

_The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of G.o.d of great price_.--I PETER iii. 4.

_To present you holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable in His sight_.--COL. i. 22.

Thy sinless mind in us reveal, Thy spirit's plenitude impart!

Till all my spotless life shall tell The abundance of a loving heart.

C. WESLEY.