Worry and Trouble and Care one day
Started for town on the early car,
But Laughter was there with her sunny ray,
And none of the travelers got so far.
She smiled at one and then at the other,
And first thing out they went

And the town was better that day, my brother,
And sweeter and more content.

FOLGER MCKINSEY.

It

Our Father in Heaven, accept our hearts' thanks for our lives continued to meet this new day. brings us possibilities of joyful service with others. Thou hast taught us that "none of us liveth to himself." All are bound up in the same bundle of life. So, trusting to Thy loving and All-Wise guidance, as we walk with Thee, we know that no evil can befall us, but that at nightfall we may thankfully say, "We have walked with God to-day!" Thus it shall be one of Heaven's days lived on earth. Bless us, our Father, and make us blessing to all whose lives ours touch to-day. Amen.

ELLEN M. STONE.

Oh, may I be strong and brave, to-day,
And I be kind and true,

may

And greet all men in a gracious way,
With frank good cheer in the things I say,
With love in the deeds I do.

May the simple heart of a child be mine,
And the grace of a rose in bloom;
Let me fill the day with a hope divine
And turn my face to the sky's glad shine,
With never a cloud of gloom.

With the golden levers of love and light
I would lift the world, and when,
Through a path with kindly deeds made bright,
I come to the calm of the starlit night,

Let me rest in peace.

NIXON WATERMAN.

Most gracious God, our Father in heaven, from our hearts we thank Thee for life as Thou hast given it to us, for the heavens which are Thy glory and the earth, Thy handiwork. We are gratified for home and kindred, for work to do, and burdens to be borne that we may prove ourselves worthy of our inheritance. May we love all things because Thou hast made them. May we love them that with Thee we may labor to make them better. Help us to see Thy messages to us written large on every side that through the life that is we may learn of and attain to the life that is to come. Amen.

ASHLEY DAY LEAVITT.

Just to let thy Father do
What He will;

Just to know that He is true,
And be still.

Just to follow hour by hour
As He leadeth;

Just to draw the moment's power
As it needeth.

Just to trust Him, this is all!

Then the day will surely be

Peaceful, whatsoe'er befall,

Bright and blessed, calm and free.
FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL.

Dear Father in Heaven, who seest the end from the beginning, and before whom the future stands like an open page, as the new day dawns, we lift our eyes to Thee as children to a loving parent. May Thy loving kindness in the past afford us a peaceful trust for the future. Lead us as a father leads his child, and grant not only quiet submission to Thy Holy Will in all things, but also clearness of spiritual vision and deep desire to do Thy will this day. And however rough the way, however sharp the turn, however steep the incline, conscious fellowship with Thee will make the day one glad sweet song. Do Thou hear us for the sake of Jesus our Redeemer. Amen. BENJAMIN M. SWAN.

Who calls his life a failure; have you thought
How cruel and unjust the charge might be?
Has all your long experience never taught,
That many battles may be bravely fought,
Which do not lead to open victory?

Heaven credits us, we trust, with our intent,
And not with every weak and stumbling fall;
Else could we understand but little meant
When speaking of the care beneficent,

That in His Providence, is showered on all.

God our poor judgments often will reverse,
Interpreting our failures as success,
He placed us here for better and for worse,
And though some lives may seem to hold a curse,
Yet each can have its little power to bless.
HENRY W. COLBY.

O God, we thank Thee that though the battle may be lost the campaign may be won. Let not difficulties be looked upon as defeats. Spirit Divine, be our interpreter. Our inexperience and our childishness make us needful that the things of God be shown unto us in tenderness and patience and love. When we enter the paths where darkness makes each step uncertain, be Thou our guide. In the morning give us the open mind, and at evening rest in the Beloved. Amen.

SMITH THOMAS FORD.

The pessimist firefly sat on a weed

In the dark of a moonless night;
With folded wings drooped over his breast
He moped and he moaned for light.

66

66

There is nothing but weeds on the earth," said he, “And there isn't a star in the sky.

Then be your own star! then be your own star!"
An optimist firefly said,

"If you'll leap from your weed, and will open your

wings

And bravely fly afar,

You will find you will shine like a star yourself,

You will be yourself a star;

Yes, the thing you need Is to leap from your weed And be yourself a star.”

SAM WALTER FOSS.

Thou Spirit of Light, we come to Thee with the prayer that we may have in ourselves the light of life. We thank Thee for that inner radiance by which, when faith survives, all darkness is driven from our souls, and light extinguishes fear. O Lord, let us not wait for the stars, nor the moon, nor the sun, nor any prophet, to light our way, but by the inner light of faith kindled into flame let us find our way through all the tangle of life towards the heights. Amen.

GEORGE L. PERIN.