"O vitæ Philosophia dux! O virtutum indagatrix expultrixque vitiorum! Unus dies, bene et ex præceptis tuis actus, peccanti immortalitati est anteponendus."[69] [69] "O philosophy, guide of life! O searcher out of virtue and exterminator of vice! One day spent well and in accordance with thy precepts is worth an immortality of sin."--_Tusculan Inquiries_, Book V. Another from the Proverbs of Solomon, speaking of wisdom or virtue: "Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." iii. 16, 17. And conceiving God to be the fountain of wisdom, I thought it right and necessary to solicit his assistance for obtaining it; to this end I formed the following little prayer, which was prefix'd to my tables of examination, for daily use. "_O powerful Goodness! bountiful Father! merciful Guide! Increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. Strengthen my resolutions to perform what that wisdom dictates. Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favours to me_." I used also sometimes a little prayer which I took from Thomson's Poems, viz.: "Father of light and life, thou Good Supreme! O teach me what is good; teach me Thyself! Save me from folly, vanity, and vice, From every low pursuit; and fill my soul With knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure; Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss!" The precept of _Order_ requiring that _every part of my business should have its allotted time_, one page in my little book contain'd the following scheme of employment for the twenty-four hours of a natural day. { 5} Rise, wash, and address { 6} _Powerful Goodness_! The Morning. { } Contrive day's _Question._ What good { } business, and take the shall I do this day? { } resolution of the day; { 7} prosecute the present { } study, and breakfast. 8} 9} Work. 10} 11} Noon. {12} Read, or overlook my { 1} accounts, and dine. 2} 3} Work. 4} 5} Evening. { 6} Put things in their _Question._ What good { 7} places. Supper. Music have I done to-day? { 8} or diversion, or conversation. { 9} Examination of { } the day. Night. {10} Sleep. {11} {12} { 1} { 2} { 3} { 4}