_I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine_.--MATT. xxv. 25. Time was, I shrank from what was right, From fear of what was wrong; I would not brave the sacred fight, Because the foe was strong. But now I cast that finer sense And sorer shame aside; Such dread of sin was indolence, Such aim at heaven was pride. J. H. NEWMAN. If he falls into some error, he does not fret over it, but rising up with a humble spirit, he goes on his way anew rejoicing. Were he to fall a hundred times in the day, he would not despair,--he would rather cry out lovingly to God, appealing to His tender pity. The really devout man has a horror of evil, but he has a still greater love of that which is good; he is more set on doing what is right, than avoiding what is wrong. Generous, large-hearted, he is not afraid of danger in serving God, and would rather run the risk of doing His will imperfectly than not strive to serve Him lest he fail in the attempt. JEAN NICOLAS GROU. February 10 _We have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation_.--ISA. xxv. 9. Blest are the humble souls that wait With sweet submission to His will; Harmonious all their passions move, And in the midst of storms are still. P. DODDRIDGE. Do not be discouraged at your faults; bear with yourself in correcting them, as you would with your neighbor. Lay aside this ardor of mind, which exhausts your body, and leads you to commit errors. Accustom yourself gradually to carry prayer into all your daily occupations. Speak, move, work, in peace, as if you were in prayer, as indeed you ought to be. Do everything without excitement, by the spirit of grace. As soon as you perceive your natural impetuosity gliding in, retire quietly within, where is the kingdom of God. Listen to the leadings of grace, then say and do nothing but what the Holy Spirit shall put in your heart. You will find that you will become more tranquil, that your words will be fewer and more effectual, and that, with less effort, you will accomplish more good. FRANÇOIS DE LA MOTHE FÉNELON. February 11 _I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do_.--JOHN xvii. 4. _She hath done what she could_.--MARK xiv. 8. He who God's will has borne and done, And his own restless longings stilled, What else he does, or has foregone, His mission he has well fulfilled. FROM THE GERMAN.