I felt my hot blood a-tingling flow; With thrill of the fight my soul did glow; And when, braced and pure, I emerged secure From the strife that had tried my courage so, I said, "Let heaven send me sun or rain, I'll never know flinching fear again." --Thomas Crawford. For the Lord Jehovah will help me; therefore have I not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. --Isaiah 50. 7. Lord Jehovah, help me to learn how to be strong and brave, that I may not remain in fear and weakness. Help me to conquer unworthiness, and to overcome discouragements, that I may be spared the needless battles that are brought on through impatience and selfishness. Keep my soul in repose, that I may add to my conquering strength. Amen. JULY EIGHTH Jean de La Fontaine born 1621. Dr. Samuel D. Gross born 1805. Joseph Chamberlain born 1836. Neither gold nor grandeur can render us happy. --La Fontaine. Spirit of God! descend upon my heart; Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move; Stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art, And make me love thee as I ought to love. I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies, No sudden rending of the veil of clay: No angel visitant, no opening skies-- But take the dimness of my soul away. --George Croly. For a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. --Luke 12. 15. Eternal God, help me to honor my life; and may I realize, whether I select good or bad, much or little, the harvesting is for eternity. Grant that I may not make my life accumulate gold and grandeur, and laden it with much spending; but may I strive and love what thou dost love, and make my life worthy of my labor. Amen. JULY NINTH Henry Hallam born 1777. Edmund Burke died 1797. Elias Howe born 1819. Discretion of speech is more than eloquence; and to speak agreeably to him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words or in good order. --Francis Bacon. When anyone provokes you, be assured it is your opinion which provokes you. Try therefore, in the first place, not to be hurried away with appearance. For if you once gain time and respite, you will more easily command yourself. --Epictetus. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one. --Colossians 4. 6. My Father, help me to learn through kindness and tenderness the value of self-control. Help me in the moods of jealousy and impatience, that I may not cause others unhappiness by words or deeds. Teach me how to overcome the ways that keep me discontented, that I may have a brighter speech. Amen. JULY TENTH John Calvin born 1509. Sir William Blackstone born 1723. Frederick Marryat born 1792.