view a fine painting, and, if possible, do a good action. Man's
highest merit always is, as much as possible, to rule external
circumstances, and as little as possible to let himself be ruled by
them.

--Goethe.

Let us not always say,
"Spite of this flesh to-day
I strove, made head, gained ground upon the whole!"
As the bird wings and sings,
Let us cry, "All good things
Are ours, nor soul helps flesh more now than flesh helps soul!"

--Robert Browning.

Surely goodness and loving-kindness shall follow me all the days of
my life.

--Psalm 23. 6.

Loving Father, help me to foresee that it is what I care for to-day
that determines how I will find old age. May I not bring my closing
years to weariness and lonesomeness, but may I have the restfulness
that comes with communing with thee. Amen.




JANUARY TWENTY-EIGHTH