Father Divine, we remember Thee at the beginning of another day, and the obedience to Thy laws of life which Thou dost require. About us is Thy beautiful world, thrilling with new life. We would that our lives today may be likewise beautiful, restrained from sin against body and spirit. As there is now in the earth, so there is always in human souls a springtide ready to burst forth into beautiful living. In our hearts there is always the stirring energy of a spiritual spring that needs but the warmth of Thy heavenly sunshine. Let that warmth now stream into our hearts that our lives today may show forth Thy praise. Amen. MINOT O. SIMONS. May 16 Violet: "_Well, but surely at least one ought to be afraid of displeasing God; and one's desire to please Him should be one's first motive._" Lecturer: "_He never would be pleased with us, if it were, my dear. When a father sends his son out into the world--suppose as an apprentice--fancy the boy's coming home at night, and saying, 'Father, I could have robbed the till to-day; but I didn't because I thought you wouldn't like it.' Do you think the father would be particularly pleased?" (Violet is silent). "He would answer, would he not, if he were wise and good, 'My boy, though you had no father, you must not rob tills.' And nothing is ever done so as really to please our Great Father, unless we would also have done it, though we had had no Father to know of it._" JOHN RUSKIN. Father of Life, Thy children raise their thoughts in prayer to Thee at the dawning of each day. Their prayer asserts love, trust and conformity to Thy will. May the spirit of prayer abide with us the day through, that we may be dutiful and worthy. The moral law is Thy way of life, may we make it our way by intelligent obedience. To know Thee aright and to find our joy in Thy life is to have fullness of being through purity and strength. O Father, may we be as those who broaden and deepen and purify life by word and deed that none may suffer loss through us, but find aid to reach the perfect life in Thee. Amen. WILSON M. BACKUS. May 17 _Through the harsh noises of our day A low sweet prelude finds its way: Through clouds of doubt and creeds of fear A light is breaking, calm and clear._ _Henceforth my heart shall sigh no more For olden time and holier shore: God's love and blessing, then and there Are now and here and everywhere._ JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER.