Father of light! to thee I call, My soul is dark within: Thou who canst mark the sparrow's fall, Avert the death of sin, Thou who canst guide the wandering star, Who calm'st the elemental war, Whose mantle is yon boundless sky, My thoughts, my words, my crimes forgive; And since I soon must cease to live, Instruct me how to die. --Lord Byron. Knowledge, whether it descend from divine inspiration or spring from human sense, would soon perish and vanish to oblivion if it were not preserved in books, traditions, conferences, and places appointed. --Francis Bacon. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein. --Revelation 1. 3. Almighty God, I would have thy counsel as I read the words and follow the deeds of helpful lives, that I may be inspired to nobler activities. Give me the desire to know more of thy holy word, that I may have a better knowledge of life. Amen. JANUARY TWENTY-THIRD John Hancock born 1737. William Pitt died 1806. Charles Kingsley died 1875. Paul Gustave Dore died 1883. Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful. Welcome it in every fair face, every fair sky, every fair flower, and thank Him for it, who is the fountain of all loveliness. --Charles Kingsley. Nature never did betray The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege Through all the years of this life, to lead, From joy to joy; for she can so impress With quietness and beauty, and so feed With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues, * * * * * Nor all the dreary intercourse of daily life, Shall e'er prevail against us or disturb Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold Is full of blessings. --William Wordsworth. Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! And thou sayest, What doth God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness? --Job 22. 12, 13. Lord God, I pray that I may not overlook thy blessings of beauty while endeavoring to perform my duties. Guide me that I may not struggle to be where thou wouldst not have me go. Amen. JANUARY TWENTY-FOURTH Charles Earl of Dorset born 1637. Frederick the Great born 1712. Charles James Fox born 1749. The great Gods pass through the great Time-hall, Stately and high; The little men climb the low clay wall To gape and spy; "We wait for the Gods," the little men cry, "But these are our brothers passing by." The great Gods pass through the great Time-hall; Who can see? The little men nod by the low clay wall, So tired they be; '"Tis weary waiting for Gods," they yawn, "There's a world o' men, but the Gods are gone." --A.H. Begbie. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.