A man's accusations of himself are always believed, his praises never. --Montaigne. Justice needs that two be heard. --From Goethe's Autobiography. That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live. --Deuteronomy 16. 20. Lord of justice, if I may be influenced this morning by doubt and am inclined to be resentful, wilt thou cause me to have a generous spirit and keep my faith. May I never descend to anything base or deceitful, but may I remember that if I lay down my life, I may have the power to take it up again. Amen. OCTOBER FOURTEENTH William Penn born 1644. James Fenimore Cooper died 1851. Duke of Wellington died 1852. Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good. If thou wouldst be happy, bring thy mind to thy condition, and have an indifferency for more than what is sufficient. --William Penn. The finest fruit earth holds up to its Maker is a finished man. --Humboldt. I considered Napoleon's presence in the field equal to forty men in the balance. --Duke of Wellington. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor. --Psalm 8. 4, 5. Eternal God, may I know the value of the gift of life. May I think seriously of it, and not through abuse or neglect cripple it, remembering that it is mine to sow, to grow, and to reap. I pray that I may care more for the food and raiment of my soul than I care for the food and raiment of my body. Amen. OCTOBER FIFTEENTH Virgil born B.C. 70. Evangelista Torricelli born 1608. Edward Fitzgerald born 1763. Being not unacquainted with woe, I learned to help the unfortunate. --Virgil. There are some hearts like wells green-mossed and deep As ever summer saw, And cool their water is, yea, cool and sweet; But you must come to draw. They hoard not, yet they rest in calm content, And not unsought will give; They can be quiet with their wealth unspent, So self-contained they live. --Author unknown. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be made sorry, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. --2 Corinthians 2. 4. Gracious Father, help me to understand that while I may be content to rest with what I have gathered, I cannot preserve the strength of my soul unless I share my possessions. Give me a passion for humanity that will advance gifts through love, and offer service without the need of an appeal. Amen. OCTOBER SIXTEENTH Bishop Hugh Latimer burned at Oxford 1555. Albrecht von Haller born 1708. Noah Webster born 1758. Robert Stephenson born 1803.