I should count myself fortunate if my home were remembered for some inspiring quality of faith, charity, and aspiring intelligence.--_Hamilton W. Mabie._ How soon a smile of God can change the world! How we are made for happiness--how work Grows play, adversity a winning fight! --_Browning._ Let this auspicious morning be expressed With a white stone distinguished from the rest, White as thy fame, and as thy honor clear, And let new joys attend on thy now added year. --_Dryden._ Give to a gracious message a host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell themselves.--_Shakespeare._ Still o’er the earth hastes Opportunity, Seeking the hardy soul that seeks for her. Be not abroad, nor deaf with household cares That chatter loudest as they mean the least; Swift-willed is thrice willed; late means nevermore; Impatient is her foot, nor turns again. --_James Russell Lowell._ To live content with small means--to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy not respectable, and wealthy not rich--to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart--to bear all cheerfully--do all bravely, await occasions--never hurry; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.--_William Ellery Channing._ Let us do our duty in our shop or our kitchen, the market, the street, the office, the school, the home, just as faithfully as if we stood in the front rank of some great battle, and we knew that victory for mankind depended on our bravery, strength, and skill. When we do that, the humblest of us will be serving in that great army which achieves the welfare of the world.--_Theodore Parker._ Opportunities correspond with almost mathematical accuracy to the ability for using them.--_Lilian Whiting._ The blessedness of life depends more upon its interests than upon its comforts.--_George Macdonald._ No man finds himself until he has created a world for his own soul; a world apart from care and weakness and the confusion of strife, in which the faiths that inspire him, and the ideals that lead him are the great and lasting verities.--_Hamilton W. Mabie._ Endeavor to be patient in bearing the defects and infirmities of others, of what sort soever they be; for thou thyself also hast many failings which must be borne with by others.--_Thomas à Kempis._ He who does a good deed is instantly ennobled. He who does a mean deed is by the action itself contracted. He who puts off impurity thereby puts on purity.--_Emerson._ They also serve who only stand and wait.--_Milton._ He that is choice of his time will be choice of his company and choice of his actions.--_Jeremy Taylor._