Part 33 (2/2)

ANON.

Oh, be at least able to say in that day,--Lord, I am no hero. I have been careless, cowardly, sometimes all but mutinous. Punishment I have deserved, I deny it not. But a traitor I have never been; a deserter I have never been. I have tried to fight on Thy side in Thy battle against evil. I have tried to do the duty which lay nearest me; and to leave whatever Thou didst commit to my charge a little better than I found it. I have not been good, but I have at least tried to be good. Take the will for the deed, good Lord. Strike not my unworthy name off the roll-call of the n.o.ble and victorious army, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and let me, too, be found written in the Book of Life; even though I stand the lowest and last upon its list. Amen.

C. KINGSLEY.

June 30

_And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and a.s.surance forever_.--ISA. x.x.xii. 17.

The heart that ministers for Thee In Thy own work will rest; And the subject spirit of a child Can serve Thy children best.

A. L. WARING.

It matters not where or what we are, so we be His servants. They are happy who have a wide field and great strength to fulfil His missions of compa.s.sion; and they, too, are blessed who, in sheltered homes and narrow ways of duty, wait upon Him in lowly services of love. Wise or simple, gifted or slender in knowledge, in the world's gaze or in hidden paths, high or low, encompa.s.sed by affections and joys of home, or lonely and content in G.o.d alone, what matters, so that they bear the seal of the living G.o.d? Blessed company, unknown to each other, unknowing even themselves!

H. E. MANNING.

July 1

_In the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord_.--EX. xvi. 7.

_Serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope_.--ROM. xii. 11, 12.

Every day is a fresh beginning, Every morn is the world made new.

You who are weary of sorrow and sinning, Here is a beautiful hope for you; A hope for me and a hope for you.

SUSAN COOLIDGE.

Be patient with every one, but above all with yourself. I mean, do not be disturbed because of your imperfections, and always rise up bravely from a fall. I am glad that you make a daily new beginning; there is no better means of progress in the spiritual life than to be continually beginning afresh, and never to think that we have done enough.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES.

Because perseverance is so difficult, even when supported by the grace of G.o.d, thence is the value of new beginnings. For new beginnings are the life of perseverance.

E. B. PUSEY.

July 2

_Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward G.o.d, and toward men_.--ACTS xxiv. 16.

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