--Will Carleton. Thanklessness is a parching wind, drying up the fountain of pity, the dew of mercy, the streams of grace. For doth not that rightly seem to be lost which is given to one ungrateful? --Saint Bernard. O give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever. --Psalm 136. 1. My Father, help me to understand that I cannot have self-development unless the spirit of truth drills my character. Cleanse my heart from all impurity, and strengthen me for all usefulness: help me to daily live this prayer. Amen. OCTOBER TWENTY-SECOND Charles Martel died 741. Franz Liszt born 1811. George Eliot born 1819. Sarah Bernhardt born 1844. O may I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In minds made better by their presence: live In pulses stirred to generosity, In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn For miserable aims that end with self, In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge man's search To vaster issues. This is life to come, Which martyred men have made more glorious For us to strive to follow. May I reach That purest heaven, be to other souls The cup of strength in some great agony, Enkindle generous ardor, feed pure love, Beget the smiles that have no cruelty, Be the sweet presence of a good diffused, And in diffusion ever more intense! So shall I join the choir invisible Whose music is the gladness of the world. --George Eliot. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. --John 10. 28. My Father, I pray that I may be more generous with my smiles and gladness, and more saving with my tears and sadness. Amen. OCTOBER TWENTY-THIRD Anne Oldfield died 1730. Robert Bridges born 1844. Mollie Elliot Seawell born 1860. O youth whose hope is high, Who doth to truth aspire, Whether thou live or die, O look not back nor tire. Thou that art bold to fly Through tempest, flood and fire, Nor dost not shrink to try Thy heart in torments dire-- If thou canst Death defy, If thy faith is entire, Press onward, for thine eye Shall see thy heart's desire. --Robert Bridges. Doubt indulged becomes doubt realized. To determine to do anything is half the battle. Courage is victory, timidity is defeat. --Nelson. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions. --Ezekiel 2. 6. Gracious Father, try me again by the courage I have to-day, if thou art judging me by the fear I held yesterday. Help me to see that wavering is misleading and temperament is deceptive. May I learn self-control. Amen. OCTOBER TWENTY-FOURTH Hugh Capet died 996. Sir Moses Montefiore born 1784.