Fearest the shadow? Keep thy trust;
Still the star-worlds roll.

Fearest death? sayest, “Dust to dust?"
'Soul to soul."

No; say,

66

JOHN VANCE CHENEY.

I believe in God and the power of truth,

In the wisdom of age and the strength of Youth.
I believe in the pure heart of each little child,
In the atom of worth in a wretch defiled.
I believe in man and womanhood;

In work as humanity's greatest good,
I believe in the fight till victory's won,
And a smile for Death when Life is done.

CECILIA HOERR DE PACKH.

O Thou, who causest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice, we thank Thee for this day. In the weariness of the evening, however great the trial or the burden may have been, help us to find light and joy and peace through trust in Thee. May love be translated into obedience and service. May our daily work be not a burden but a delight. the joy of the Lord be our strength. turnest even the shadow of death into the morning and lightenest the face of the earth, do Thou quicken our hearts and illumine our way, so that we may not walk in darkness but may have ever the light of life, Amen.

WILBUR P. THIRKIELD.

May

Thou who

All day I seek the mean reward
That falls to earthly strife;

All day the thought of Thee, O Lord,
Is crowded out of deed and word,
Is crowded out of life.

But when I shake my spirit free
From earthly chains at night,

The vaulted dusk is filled with Thee,
And every star becomes to me,

A holy altar-light!

DENIS A. MCCARTHY.

O God! I cannot ask Thee to forgive;
I have done wrong.

Thy law is just; Thy law must live:
Whoso doth wrong must suffer pain.
But help me to do right again,

Again be strong.

Amen.

CHARLOTTE PERKINS STETSON.

In a sad hour I have seen, through the window, mounted on a rail back of my house, one of those curious-eyed little sparrows. And he was a better preacher to me than I am to you. It was winter, and there was not guaranteed to it one day's food, nor any protection, from any source in this world. It was wholly dependent upon its God. And yet it sang, sang for its own hearing, and sang for my rebuke, saying to me," Are ye not much more than I? And God thinks of me, and takes care of me.' How much there is in the voice of nature if to interpret it!

we only knew how

HENRY WARD Beecher.

Almighty God, who maketh the morning and the evening to rejoice, beget in us, Thy children, the joy of Thy presence. All nature responds to Thy supporting care. The flower blooms, the bird sings, by thine own life-compelling energy. We also would be responsive to Thy guidance. And after the labor of the day is done and the quiet of eventide gives rest to all Thy creatures, grant that we may share the quieting refreshing stillness of the Everlasting Arms. Grant us Thy peace this night. Banish all turmoil of spirit. Stay our minds on Thee, and let us sleep in the consciousness that all is well because Thou art lifting upon us the light of Thy face. Amen.

ROBERT MACDONALD.

Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

The last of life, for which the first was made:

Our times are in His hand

Who saith, "A whole I planned,

Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!"

So, take and use thy work:
Amend what flaws may lurk,

What strain o' the stuff, what warpings past the aim!

My times be in thy hand!

Perfect the cup as planned!

Let age approve of youth, and death complete the

same!

ROBERT BROWNING.

O Father, we thank Thee that with the lengthening shadows Thy hand is still guiding us through peace to light. We have not always understood the meaning of our life, but Thou hast ever been our hope, and Thou in Thine infinite wisdom hast made us for Thyself. Our way is growing brighter with the passing years; already the setting sun has lavished gold and purple upon whatever clouds have gathered, and we are looking forward with expectation to that which is best of all-Thy presence in which is fulness of joy. With Thee, night shall be no more. Amen.

CLIFTON D. GRAY.

How the stroke of twelve at night makes one stop and think! It is a little more impressive than any other hour of the day or night. Yet more impressive is the passing of a year. It is the last day of the Old Year. The clock ticks loud as if by the swinging of the pendulum of fate. One waits as for a signal to launch his boat upon an unknown sea- a New Year. He knows not what storm or tide may catch his craft nor whither it may be driven. Yet he may not wait, the hour strikes, he must embark. Ah, then he needs a God, bigger than the storms and winds and rocks, a God that lives and stays and speaks.

GEORGE L. PERIN.

O God, who lurketh in the star
And 'neath all living things that are,
Grant us Thy nearness. Let Thy might
Spell itself through the silent night.
In midnight skies, or restless sea,
Teach us to find some touch of Thee.
Teach us the strength of the swaying pine,
The courage to sink our lives in Thine;
And in duties that irk and worries that thrall
To find Thee waiting behind them all.

God grant that in lowliest things we may see
Their link to a reasoned Eternity.

Now the New Year comes and the Old takes flight;
Dear God of our years, be close tonight!

MARY BALDWIN.