i grudge no more the playtime,
Midsummer's dreamy hours,
When all the sunny day-time
Was rest for languid powers.

Each breath upon the mountains,
Or in the forest shade,
Or by the sea's cool fountains,
My spirit stronger made.

And strength was made for spending;
My soul no miser be,

But to thy tasks now bending

Give self in service free!

JOHN COLEMAN ADAMS.

O God, our Father, we lift our hearts to Thee, and send our wishes heavenward. We thank Thee for Thyself and all Thou art to the creatures of thy constant thought and love. We thank Thee for the summer days we have seen, and all their wondrous ministry to our welfare. We have proved again how good Thou art. Thy presence in the seed time and harvest was most wonderful. The miracle of the manna has been repeated. The season has passed, but Thou remainest. We praise Thee for autumnal rest and reflections. May we know the Giver, and rejoice in Him more than in the gifts. Repeat Thy former mercies, and help us to bring our lives up to this act of devotion. Let the pillar of cloud and fire ever sentinel our dwelling, that whether we sleep or wake, live or die, we may be Thine. Abide with Amen.

us.

JAMES M. THOBURN.

Home's not merely four square walls,

Though with pictures hung and gilded:
Home is where affection calls,

Filled with shrines the heart hath builded.

Home! go watch the faithful dove,
Sailing 'neath the heaven above us:
Home is where there's one to love,
Home is where there's one to love us.

Home's not merely roof and room,
Needs it something to endear it:
Home is where the heart can bloom,
Where there's some kind lip to cheer it.

CHARLES SWAIN.

O Thou from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, we bless Thee for the human love with which the day now closing has been gladdened; for the courage which came in the thought that loved ones believed in us; for the enlargement of our life made possible in their service. Forgive us, if we have seemed unmindful of these mercies; renew our love, if it have grown careless or cold; and purge us from all selfishness that we may be more loyal to those whom Thou hast given us. Give us a vision of what our homes should mean. From the shelter which it gives and in the strength which it supplies, send us forth daily to battle for all good things. Amen.

EDWIN R. SMITH.

I sent my soul through the Invincible,
Some letter of that after-life to spell;
And by-and-by my soul returned to me
And answered, I, myself, am Heaven and Hell.

OMAR KHAYYAM.

I was young. I prayed to the gods above.
Prayed and struggled and lost my prayer.
And I beat my breast and cursed and raved.

I was young. I thought that the gods were there.

I am old. I commune with the gods within.
Listen and learn and have no fear.
And the sunlight's good and the hills are fair.
I am old. I know that the gods are here.

LUCINE FINCH.

Help us, O Lord, to compass the knowledge of our kingdom here and now, to obey and to rule in it. As the stars tonight are shepherded in the sky. by Thy care, so in our souls reigns Thy everlasting love. Within our hearts are deathless sentiments; within our minds shines the eternal right: Sinai and Calvary, law and gospel are there. Restrain, we pray Thee, our vain wishes and roaming desires. Enable us to dwell in honor with our consciences, and to give to others peace, courage and guidance. Amen.

EDWARD A. HORTON.

The wind that blows can never kill
The tree God plants;

It bloweth east, it bloweth west;
The tender leaves have little rest.
But any wind that blows is best.
The tree God plants

Strikes deeper roots, grows higher still,
Spreads wider boughs, for God's good will
Meets all its wants.

ANONYMOUS.

Our Father in Heaven, we thank Thee that Thou art the Great Husbandman. Our lives are not determined by chance, but Thou hast planted them, and Thou dost keep them night and day. When we are tempted to say "My way is hid from Jehovah," comfort our hearts with the assurance that Thou dost nurture each life of Thy planting that it may bear much fruit. Make us patient under pruning. May we be so rooted and grounded in the certainty of Thy love that every wind that blows shall toughen our moral fibre and strengthen our hold upon Thee. Make us sure of God. Supply the secret sources of life from the fountains of living water, that we may bring forth fruit in due season and that our leaf may not wither. So shall we rejoice continually in Thy love and praise Thee forever. Amen.

EDWARD MACARTHUR NOYES.

66

Right over against the gloomy face of fear stands the Lord Jesus Christ and these words of ineffable cheer: Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts." I cannot read such a passage as this without feeling that it is like a mother's putting her hand on her child's head, and soothing it, and stroking down its curls, and fondling it, or putting her arms about it and caressing it. As a mother not simply speaks, but in a thousand winning ways carries out the words in practice, so, when I read this passage, it is as though God's spirit caressed me, and was bringing me comfort.

HENRY WARD BEECHER.

Thou blessed Father, we come to Thee because Thou lovest us, even as a mother loves her child. We are children and sorely need a mother's forgiving caress. Wilt Thou fold us within Thy circling arms and speak to our spirit the word Thou knowest we need. In Thy love over-rule our mistakes that Thy rule in the hearts of all be not hindered; and sanction and seal today's effort and thought for the coming of the Kingdom. Enable us to now yield ourselves entirely to Thee through the hours of the night until the morning break and the shadows disappear. Amen.

ORISEN C. SARGENT.