HENRY VAN DYKE. Our Father in Heaven, we awake this morning with a sense of thankfulness for the beauty and glory of Thy creation. We praise Thee that as Thy children we can be conscious of the kingdom of heaven always about us. So we pray for that attitude of mind and spirit of soul that will unlock for us the divine life. Help us to be conscious of Thee in all the varied experiences of this day. If it shall be a day of burdens, give us strength to play our part uncomplainingly, if a day of joy to accept it with true gratitude; and when the shades of night shall call us to our rest, may our memory of the day bring us peace. Amen. EDWARD C. DOWNEY. December 29 _Ah, don't be sorrowful, darling, And don't be sorrowful, pray; Taking the year together, my dear, There isn't more night than day._ _'Tis rainy weather, my darling; Time's waves they heavily run; But taking the year together, my dear, There isn't more cloud than sun._ ALICE CARY. We thank Thee, heavenly Father, for the days just as they come. Nor would we measure the sunshine against the storm as if to test Thy goodness by some petty form of bookkeeping. Thou presidest over all our days, and whatever may be the face of nature we trust Thy love. Let us go forth today, not in critical mood nor despondent mood but in the mood of high Christian faith, anxious, not to test Thy providence, but ready to do our own part, taking care to hold our cup of blessing open-side up; so shall it catch the manna when it falls. Then shall each passing day be full of blessing. Amen. GEORGE L. PERIN. December 30 _Fades the rose; the year grows old; The tale is told; Youth doth depart-- Only stays the heart._ _Ah, no! if stays the heart, Youth can ne'er depart, Nor the sweet tale be told-- Never the rose fade, nor the year grow old._ RICHARD WATSON GILDER. Dear Father, we thank Thee for the year now coming to its close, and for all that has blessed us in it. Help us to keep the good wherewith it has done us good in lasting memory. By the flight of time which its passing emphasizes move us to earnestness in the labors committed to our hands. Beyond this help us that we may be undisturbed, remembering that Thou art our dwelling place, and that we are the children of Thy love and the sharers of Thy everlastingness. So may we keep the vision of youth, the vision to which endings are but beginnings, the good leading to the better, and the best forever more. May Thy blessing be upon all whom we love and should pray for in this and every day, in Jesus' name. Amen. CHARLES R. TENNEY. December 31