Part 67 (2/2)

Whatever we are, high or lowly, learned or unlearned, married or single, in a full house or alone, charged with many affairs or dwelling in quietness, we have our daily round of work, our duties of affection, obedience, love, mercy, industry, and the like; and that which makes one man to differ from another is not so much what things he does, as his manner of doing them.

H. E. MANNING.

December 28

_Now the G.o.d of peace make you perfect in every good work, to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ_.--HEB. xiii. 20, 21.

_Be ready to every good work_.--t.i.tUS iii. I.

So, firm in steadfast hope, in thought secure, In full accord to all Thy world of joy, May I be nerved to labors high and pure, And Thou Thy child to do Thy work employ.

J. STERLING.

Be with G.o.d in thy outward works, refer them to Him, offer them to Him, seek to do them in Him and for Him, and He will be with thee in them, and they shall not hinder, but rather invite His presence in thy soul. Seek to see Him in all things, and in all things He will come nigh to thee.

E. B. PUSEY.

Nothing less than the majesty of G.o.d, and the powers of the world to come, can maintain the peace and sanct.i.ty of our homes, the order and serenity of our minds, the spirit of patience and tender mercy in our hearts. Then will even the merest drudgery of duty cease to humble us, when we transfigure it by the glory of our own spirit.

J. MARTINEAU.

December 29

_Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report,--think on these things_.--PHIL. iv. 8.

_As he thinketh in his heart, so is he_.--PROV. xxiii. 7.

Still may Thy sweet mercy spread A shady arm above my head, About my paths; so shall I find The fair centre of my mind Thy temple, and those lovely walls Bright ever with a beam that falls Fresh from the pure glance of Thine eye, Lighting to eternity.

R. CRASHAW.

Make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts. None of us yet know, for none of us have been taught in early youth, what fairy palaces we may build of beautiful thought--proof against all adversity. Bright fancies, satisfied memories, n.o.ble histories, faithful sayings, treasure--houses of precious and restful thoughts, which care cannot disturb, nor pain make gloomy, nor poverty take away from us,--houses built without hands, for our souls to live in.

J. RUSKIN.

December 30

_O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps_.--JER. x. 23.

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