_Be strong! We are not here to play, to dream, to drift. We have hard work to do, and loads to lift. Shun not the struggle; face it. 'Tis God's gift._ _Be strong! Say not the days are evil,--who's to blame? And fold the hands and acquiesce--O shame! Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God's name._ _Be strong! It matters not how deep intrenched the wrong, How hard the battle goes, the day how long, Faint not, fight on! Tomorrow comes the song._ MALTBIE DAVENPORT BABCOCK. O our Father, we thank Thee for this new morning. Truly the light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the same. Lift Thou upon us the light of Thy countenance and bid us go in peace. So shall we begin the day aright. With gentle skill Thou dost deal with us. Thou art not careless with us or hasty or impatient. Help us to be strong in Thee. May we be able to cast out of our lives everything that would grieve Thee and harm us. With a loving spirit may we serve Thee this day. May we be rooted and grounded in love. However hard the battle may go give us courage and confidence to believe that through Christ, strengthening us, we can do all things required of us. Lord, increase our faith. Amen. J. E. HAWKINS. October 4 _Nobody proves God's being. But, suddenly, one sees God is here. One speaks and God answers. Thereafter all is sure._ EDWARD EVERETT HALE. _There is nothing that so persuades us of the great realities of moral and spiritual being as the man in whom God is manifest, the type of our human nature at its best, and the indorsement of the sublime faith that God in humanity is the supreme revelation of Himself!_ HORATIO STEBBINS. Blessed Father, as the morning light has triumphed in its struggle to overcome darkness, so Thou dost gently but irresistibly call us from slumber to the glories and duties of the new day. May we be strong in the sweet assurance that the unfolding hours are full of blessing because Thou art caring for us. Help us to do Thy will by enabling us to minister to those around us. May the words of our mouth and the industry of our hands reveal Thy guiding love. Enable us to order our ways by the habit of trust that we have learned through Thy constancy. Wilt Thou disappoint our fears, steady our hearts, and show us the way of obedience, peace and service that we may realize the good through the day and rejoice in it, as disciples of Christ. Amen. JAMES D. CORBY. October 5 _Thou knowest not what argument Thy life to thy neighbor's creed hath lent; All are needed by each one; Nothing is good or fair alone._ RALPH WALDO EMERSON.