James Russell Lowell.
We cannot command veracity at will; the power of seeing and
reporting truly is a form of health that has to be delicately
guarded, and as an ancient rabbi has solemnly said, "The penalty of
untruth is untruth."
--George Eliot.
Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they
have sought out many inventions.
--Ecclesiastes 7. 29.
My Father, help me to speak the truth and guard the truth, that
righteousness may be an abiding influence in my life. Amen.
NOVEMBER EIGHTH
Edmund Halley born 1656.
John Milton died 1674.
Owen Meredith (Bulwer Edward Lytton) born 1831.
The morning drum-call on my eager ear
Thrills unforgotten yet! the morning dew
Lies yet undried along my field of noon.
But now I pause a while in what I do,
And count the bell, and tremble lest I hear
(My work untrimmed) the sunset gun too soon.
--Robert Louis Stevenson.
I fear
Life's many changes, not Death's changelessness.
So perfect is this moment's passing cheer,
I needs must tremble lest it pass to less.
Thus in fickle love of life I live,
Lest fickle life me of my love deprive.
--Owen Meredith.
And Jehovah said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore art thou thus
fallen upon thy face?
Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against
to-morrow.
--Joshua 7. 10, 13.
Almighty God, help me in these fleeting days that I may not use my
time to consider and hesitate, but be positive in my desires and
pursue them. Grant that I may have the strength to hold each day
precious, and live it more than consistently. Amen.
NOVEMBER NINTH
Mark Akenside born 1721.
William Sotheby born 1757.
Charles F. Thwing born 1853.
The victor's road is the easy way.
Straight it stretches and climbs to where
Fame is waiting with garlands gay
To wreathe the fighter who clambers there.
There's applause in plenty and gold's red gleam
For the man who plays on the winning team.
The loser travels a longer lane;
Level it leads to a lonely land.
There's little glory for him to gain
The voices mock him on either hand;
But the man who wins in the greater game
Is the man who, beaten, fights on the same.
--G. Rice.
The hero is not fed on sweets,
Daily his own heart he eats;
Chambers of the
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